Residential

2023 THIRD QUARTER REAL ESTATE SALES REPORT Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and Bronx counties, New York

October 16, 2023

Editor’s Note: The following is the full text version of the 2023 THIRD QUARTER REAL ESTATE SALES REPORT Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and Bronx counties, New York released recently by the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors. WHITE PLAINS—The combination of high interest rates and low inventory dampened buyer demand and were the chief causes in…

Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation Presents $3,500 Donation Check to Lifting Up Westchester

October 13, 2023

WHITE PLAINS—The Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation, the charitable arm of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, recently presented a check for $3,500 to Lifting Up Westchester (LUW) in White Plains. LUW provides life-changing support to people who have lost their housing or are struggling to meet other basic needs. They help individuals find stable housing…

Veteran Mortgage Broker-Turned Playwright Debuts ‘The Oh Show’ at the Paramount Hudson Valley

October 13, 2023

PEEKSKILL—For the past 22 years, Irene Amato has been synonymous with A.S.A.P. Mortgage, based in Peekskill with six branch offices throughout the Hudson Valley and in the Bronx. However, in the past few years, the mortgage maven has expanded her career to include hosting her own workshops, speaking at real estate expos and networking groups,…

NAR Forms New Commission to Address Association Culture

October 12, 2023

By Stacey Moncrieff CHICAGO—The National Association of Realtors announced on Tuesday (Oct. 10) the appointment of a new commission aimed at developing recommendations for changing NAR’s culture. The 75-member Culture Transformation Commission is made up of both members and association staff. The CTC will hold its first meeting Oct. 19. Formation of the CTC comes…

Jason Waugh Named President of Coldwell Banker Affiliates

October 12, 2023

MADISON, NJ—Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, a subsidiary of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., announced on Oct. 10 that Jason Waugh will serve as President of Coldwell Banker Affiliates, effective immediately. Waugh will lead the Coldwell Banker brand, including brand strategy and positioning, affiliate operations, and franchise sales for its growing network of 100,000 affiliated sales…

WRO to Hold 55th Anniversary Gala on Nov. 2

October 11, 2023

NEW ROCHELLE—Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO) will hold its 55th Anniversary Gala on Nov. 2 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the VIP Country Club in New Rochelle. The event is open to all and will include a cocktail hour, dinner and the program. WRO will be honoring two members of the community: Ted Childs,…

Attorney General, WRO Settle Discrimination Cases Against New Rochelle Real Estate Management Firm

October 11, 2023

NEW YORK—New York Attorney General Letitia James announced an agreement on Oct. 10 with New Rochelle-based real estate company and property manager, Platzner International Group (PIG), its owners Merrick Platzner and Harrin Platzner, and their various properties for denying housing to low-income residents in Westchester County. The Office of the Attorney General, with assistance from…

NAR Chief Economist Yun Predicts Better Times Ahead in 2024 for Residential Real Estate Market

October 10, 2023

WHITE PLAINS—After detailing a laundry list of problems that have caused a “difficult year” for the real estate markets thus far in 2023, NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun told a gathering of about 100 HGAR members and affiliates that he believes the home sales market will improve in 2024. In his first-ever appearance before…

Doreen Spagnuolo Named Permanent CEO of LIBOR; Long Island’s Ruppert Named NYSAR Realtor of Year

October 9, 2023

WEST BABYLON—The Long Island Board of Realtors announced on Sept. 26 the appointment of Doreen Spagnuolo as the permanent Chief Executive Officer of the 30,000-member trade association. In this role, Spagnuolo will spearhead LIBOR's mission to be the trusted ally uniting its Realtor Members in promoting the benefits and ensuring the future of real property…

Anywhere, RE/MAX in Proposed Settlement Agreements Will Not Require NAR Membership for Brokers/Agents

October 9, 2023

WHITE PLAINS—After brokerage firm Redfin recently announced its intent to leave the National Association of Realtors over sexual harassment allegations that led to NAR President Kenny Parcell’s resignation, comes news that two other major brokerage firms will not require its brokers or agents to be members of the embattled organization as part of settlement agreements…

HGAR’s Caro Wins NYSAR’s ‘Alan Yassky Distinguished Serve Award’ for 2023

October 6, 2023

ALBANY—The New York State Association of Realtors announced on Oct. 6 it had honored Leah Caro of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors as the “Alan Yassky Distinguished Service Award” winner during the association’s recent 2023 “Elevate Your Profession” Fall Business Meetings held at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. Caro is…

NAR: Housing Affordability, Inventory, Technology Among Biggest Challenges for Real Estate Firms

October 4, 2023

WASHINGTON—Housing affordability, maintaining sufficient inventory and keeping up with technology were among the biggest challenges cited for firms in the next two years, according to the "2023 Profile of Real Estate Firms" report by the National Association of Realtors released on Oct. 4. The report measures characteristics of firms nationwide to determine how they operate…

Five Ways to Keep Your Remote Business Safe From Hackers

October 4, 2023

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in Realtor Magazine. Keep your guard up. As more people work from home, they could be exposing themselves to viruses and other online dangers that might not threaten their physical health but could put their business at risk. Individuals who don’t have the support of an IT team may…

HGAR Distributes $158,589 in Critical Relief Assistance For Hudson Valley Residents Affected by Flash Flooding

October 3, 2023

WHITE PLAINS—The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors recently announced it had distributed $158,589 of the $500,000 available from the National Association of Realtors’ “Realtor Relief Foundation” to help Hudson Valley residents affected by the flash flooding on July 9-10. To date, 92 residents have received grant money since HGAR was awarded the NAR Realtor Relief…

Business Council of NYS Sounds Alarm on Impacts of State’s Energy Policies

October 2, 2023

ALBANY—The Business Council of New York State announced recently the first of several state-wide information campaigns designed to educate New York voters on the impacts of significant legislation approved by state lawmakers. The campaigns will highlight and assess policy decisions that, regardless of intention, could adversely impact New York State’s private sector businesses and the…

Developers Propose $2.5-Billion Galleria at White Plains Redevelopment Plan

September 28, 2023

WHITE PLAINS—In what is clearly the most anticipated development proposal to hit the desks of city leaders in decades, Pacific Retail Capital Partners, The Cappelli Organization, SL Green Realty Corporation, and Aareal Bank, owners of The Galleria at White Plains, presented a $2.5-billion redevelopment plan for the property to the White Plains Common Council on…

U.S. Pending Home Sales Fell 7.1% in August

September 28, 2023

WASHINGTON—Pending home sales slid 7.1% in August, according to data released by the National Association of Realtors on Sept. 28. All four U.S. regions posted monthly losses and year-over-year declines in transactions. Northeast home sales fell less than one percentage point as compared to August 2022. “Mortgage rates have been rising above 7% since August,…

Construction Begins on $60-Million St. Clair Affordable Housing Project in Yonkers

September 28, 2023

YONKERS—New York Gov. Kathy Hochul joined officials with state and City of Yonkers officials and representatives of the developer on Sept. 27 to officially begin construction on the St. Clair affordable housing development. The 76-unit affordable housing project is located on vacant parcels at 36-38 Main St., 32 Main St., and 1-3 Riverdale Ave. and…

NY State Issues RFP for Redevelopment of Former Bayview Correctional Facility in West Chelsea

September 27, 2023

ALBANY—New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Sept. 26 that Empire State Development had issued of a request for proposals to redevelop the former Bayview Correctional Facility, located at 550 West 20th St. in West Chelsea in Manhattan into a primarily residential development providing supportive housing, affordable housing, and onsite community uses that will benefit…

NYCEDC Issues Request for Proposals for Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Project

September 26, 2023

NEW YORK—New York City Economic Development Corporation released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Sept. 25 for a developer to lease, redevelop, and operate the Kingsbridge Armory, one of the largest armory buildings in the world and a landmarked structure that contains approximately 570,000 square feet of space. The RFP follows the release of the…