Under HGAR President Tony D’Anzica’s leadership, there has been a concerted effort to streamline and centralize the HGAR “County Days,” which has greatly benefited the HGAR staff, me included, in our ability to execute these events with greater efficiency. As a result, we have put on some great programming this year throughout the Hudson Valley.…
Read MoreThe real estate industry has certainly been facing significant legal and economic headwinds in the past few months. On Oct. 31, 2023, the real estate industry was dealt a major blow when a Missouri jury issued a $5-billion verdict against the National Association of Realtors, Inc., Keller Williams, Anywhere, RE/MAX and HomeServices of America (including…
Read MoreMy last article gave a 30,000-foot view of everything that has been going on with the National Association of Realtors and the MLS. Today, I’m going to focus in on the Sitzer/Burnett litigation and what it means to all of us. In the Sitzer/Burnett case, the plaintiffs primarily focused on the NAR rule requiring listing…
Read MoreKANSAS CITY, MO—The National Association of Realtors and two codefendants were found liable Tuesday (Oct. 31) in the federal Sitzer/Burnett trial, which challenged MLS rules and the real estate compensation model. The eight-person jury also found liable HomeServices of America and Keller Williams Realty, which were named in the lawsuit. During the 11-day trial, NAR…
Read MoreI don’t know about you, but it seems like I have heard the phrase “once in a lifetime storm” about 18 times between Superstorm Sandy and the July storms that recently flooded the Hudson Valley. So, either time has sped up or that phrase has lost all its meaning. Regardless, we live in a time…
Read MoreOn Sept. 22, 2023, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed critical legislation amending Sections 262, 265 and 267 of New York’s Real Property Law (“RPL”) known as the Property Condition Disclosure Statement Act (PCDSA) [see https://bit.ly/3FeUEem]. The newly enacted amendments to the act will take effect on March 20, 2024. The original PCDSA (“2002 PCDSA”)…
Read MoreBy 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…
Read MoreIf you’re anyone involved in the real estate industry today, you know the environment is a vortex of laws, litigation and issues. However, from 30,000 feet you can get a calmer, bigger picture of what’s going on. Today, I’ll be your pilot and take you up into the air for a bird’s eye view of…
Read MoreNEW 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…
Read MoreWHITE 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…
Read MoreALBANY—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…
Read MoreThe “zombies” of issues left to be decided are poised to walk the halls again this coming legislative year. With the added specter of a Presidential election year, the 2024 New York State Legislative Session will play out while some State Representatives fight in primary elections, providing a backdrop for a legislative session where there…
Read MoreIt is disheartening, but this column yet again has to address the very real threats that cyber-attacks and ransomware incidents pose to industries, including the real estate industry, and individuals. Recently there has been a wave of serious cyber and ransomware attacks against well-known companies, such as Rapattoni, one of the largest national companies providing…
Read MoreBy now you may have seen the headlines and heard the outrage and opinions being formed regarding the National Association of Realtors and the allegations and controversy relating to sexual harassment and hostile workplace environments. I don’t work for NAR, so I will not address any of the NAR allegations, but because I work for…
Read MoreThe Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors regrets to inform its membership of the tragic passing of real estate veteran, HGAR member, association executive and attorney Don Cummins III on Friday, Sept. 1 at the age of 54. Cummins was previously the Team Leader at Keller Williams Realty Partners of Baldwin Place and formerly served as…
Read MoreOver the years, this column has reviewed various court decisions issued by New York courts on the doctrine of “Caveat Emptor” or “Buyer Beware,” which have usually been decided in favor of the seller. Two recent court cases, Striplin v. AC&E Home Inspection Corp. [see https://bit.ly/45kseul] and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Schepisi [see https://bit.ly/3Kxpf9W],…
Read MoreAs the Professional Standards Administrator for HGAR, I often speak about the Code of Ethics (COE) and filing complaints. I thought I would use this month’s article to go over the process of filing a complaint and what happens. Before You File Before you file a complaint, we encourage you to reach out to the…
Read MoreThe dust has settled and we find ourselves standing on the brink of success? As you know, the 2023 legislative session was exciting, but unproductive. Passing about half the number of bills as they did the year before, the 2023 session will be remembered for having a budget that was a month late, a housing…
Read MoreIn June, both the New York State Assembly and Senate approved passage of the Limited Liability Company Transparency Act [see https://bit.ly/3JMhqNu] (the “LLC Transparency Act” or “New York’s Act”). The bill is awaiting signature by Gov. Kathy Hochul and would go into effect 365 days after it is signed. The legislature’s stated purpose of the…
Read MoreThe warmth of the summer is creeping in and it’s time to put your toes in the sand and relax; unless you’re a Realtor. For Realtors, it’s the busy season, but you know this already. So, after you have finished showing all those properties, completed your prospecting, followed up on your phone calls, listed and…
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