WASHINGTON—As expected, in a procedural vote the House of Representatives approved the Tax Cut and Jobs Act on Wednesday. The controversial measure passed 224-201, with no support from Democratic Congressional representatives. A total of 12 House GOP members voted against the bill. The Senate passed the bill earlier in the morning by a 51-48 margin.…
Read MorePredicting the real estate market is about as easy as timing the stock market, due to the complex interplay of forces that create the market. Four basic numbers tend to drive real estate—home sales, home prices, months supply of inventory and mortgage rates. The economy, encompassing inflation and unemployment, as well as policy decisions on…
Read MoreWHITE PLAINS—With House and Senate Republicans putting the final touches on federal tax reform legislation, Realtors both here and across the nation are preparing for the bill’s passage, possibly before Christmas, and what impacts it could bring to the housing market in 2018. Prominent local Realtors offered mixed opinions on what impacts tax reform will…
Read MoreWHITE PLAINS—The Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation, the charitable arm of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, has donated a record $85,850 to 24 charities and non-profit organizations throughout the Hudson Valley in 2017. As it enters its fifth year of fundraising, the Foundation is gearing up for another successful year of providing financial assistance to…
Read MoreBarry Kramer, one of the two principal brokers of Westchester Choice Realty Inc. in Scarsdale, has the distinction of being both the HGAR 2017 Realtor of the Year and the 2018 HGAR President. “I didn’t’ think I could be a Realtor of the Year and president at the same time, so I was really surprised,”…
Read MoreWHITE PLAINS—In addition to Rockland County Executive Ed Day who recently told Real Estate In-Depth that New York State taxpayers were getting “sandbagged” by the federal tax reform plan, other key state and local leaders also blasted various components of the GOP House and Senate tax reform plans that at press time were being debated…
Read MoreNEW YORK CITY—The Regional Plan Association in its fourth regional plan says some residents of the New York City metro region are not enjoying the benefits of the robust NYC economy due in large part to the lack of investment in the area’s infrastructure, housing and quality of life. In its 373-page report released on…
Read MoreNEW YORK—Residential brokerage firm Douglas Elliman announced on Dec. 4 it had promoted its chief operating officer, Scott Durkin to president and chief operating officer effective immediately. Durkin, a 30-year real estate veteran and protégée of Barbara Corcoran, joined Douglas Elliman in 2015 as executive vice president of acquisitions and growth. He was promoted to…
Read MoreToys for Tots boxes at the Central Valley office of Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty are overflowing with support from the brokerage firm’s "Pictures with Santa" fundraiser. Rand officials expressed their gratitude to the local community for its support and offered a “special thank you” to Marines, Lance Corporals Kiley and Kitely, who recently…
Read MoreNEW CITY—Republican Rockland County Executive Ed Day, who recently easily won re-election to a second term of office, says that New York taxpayers are being “sandbagged” by the federal tax reform proposal now being debated by Congress. In an exclusive interview with Real Estate In-Depth at his offices in New City, County Executive Day was…
Read MoreTARRYTOWN—The Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation, a division of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, recently presented a $28,000 donation check to Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley at the Wish House in Tarrytown. The monies were raised at the foundation’s “Black & White Masquerade Ball” held in September at the Falkirk Estate and Country Club in Central Valley.…
Read MoreWASHINGTON—As expected, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the controversial Republican tax reform plan—“Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”—on Thursday by a 227-205 margin. The battle over tax reform now switches to the U.S. Senate where the GOP holds a razor thin two-seat majority over Democrats, who have all lined up against the House and Senate…
Read MoreMORRIS PLAINS—The Weichert Family of Companies announced on Nov. 6 the establishment of its wholly owned property management company, Weichert Property Management. With the launch of Weichert Property Management, led by David Hardy as president, Weichert’s mission is to deliver a level of service and trust that constitutes the power of excellence. The company offers…
Read MoreNYACK—Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty and Edward Hopper House raised $26,300 during a recent event to benefit the Edward Hopper House’s interdisciplinary Arts Education Program, which engages more than 500 local public school students in grades K-12. The Oct. 14 benefit, now in its second year, drew approximately 140 attendees and surpassed the previous year in…
Read MoreSCARSDALE—Scarsdale Area Realtors recently gathered at the Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale for the inaugural RealHelp fundraising breakfast to support worthy local causes. The goal of the breakfasts is to make a difference in the communities where agents live and work. The Scarsdale Public Library was chosen to be the charitable recipient this year. The…
Read MoreSCARSDALE—The Keller Williams Realty Group Market Center of Scarsdale recently hosted its annual Masquerade Ball, which raised more than $12,000 for the Tuckahoe Senior Citizens and natural disaster victims. “We believe in supporting the community where we live and work,” said Jamal Hadi, operating principal of Keller Williams Realty Group. “It’s our way of saying…
Read MoreSOMERS—RE/MAX Classic Realty has made a difference to local children by becoming a Miracle Office, the company reported. Through the Miracle Home and Miracle Property programs, RE/MAX Associates can make a donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals after each residential and commercial transaction. All donations benefit Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center. “The…
Read MorePURCHASE—More than 100 walkers and enthusiastic members of the Houlihan Lawrence family raised $106,000 on Oct. 15 as part of the 24th annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Manhattanville College. All 18 of the Houlihan Lawrence offices in Westchester participated in the fundraising walk to increase awareness about breast cancer…
Read MoreNYACK—Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty, Rand Commercial, and Joseph Rand were among the honorees at the Rockland County Pride Center’s Pride Ball on Oct. 14 at a gala event held at the Nyack Bath House in Nyack. “I’m humbled to have our companies recognized by an organization that has provided LGBTQ residents with an…
Read MoreCHICAGO—Stubbornly low inventory conditions in a large swath of the country are behind the below-average share of first-time buyers in recent years, but there is gaining evidence of an increase in homebuilding may be around the corner. So says NAR’s Jessica Lautz, managing director of survey research and communications at the National Association of Realtors,…
Read More