News

Foley Promoted to CEO of Building and Realty Institute

January 27, 2021

ARMONK—One year after joining the Building and Realty Institute as its executive director, Timothy Foley of Scarsdale has been promoted to chief executive officer of the locally-based organization. “BRI has grown as an organization while staying true to our mission to advocate for the best interests of the realty industry to government and the community,…

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Hudson Valley Region Lost Nearly 75,000 Private Sector Jobs in 2020

January 22, 2021

ALBANY—The New York State Department of Labor reported on Jan. 21 that the number of private sector jobs in the Hudson Valley fell 74,800 or 9.2% over the year in December 2020. Job losses were greatest in leisure and hospitality (-32,900), educational and health services (-10,900), professional and business services (-8,800), trade, transportation and utilities…

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Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation Donates $40,000 To 20 Hudson Valley Charities and Non-Profits in 2020

January 22, 2021

WHITE PLAINS—The Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation, the charitable arm of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, announced recently it had donated a total of $40,000 to 20 charities and non-profit organizations throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. As it enters its eighth year of fundraising, the foundation is gearing…

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Continuing the Association’s Long Commitment To Providing News, Perspective to its Members

January 21, 2021

Initially, the Westchester Realty Board, which was founded in 1916, began publishing printed bulletins in 1926 to its members entitled “Westchester Realtor.” The bulletins later were converted to newspaper format in 1961 and were distributed to the membership that initially covered Westchester County. Below is the introduction to Westchester Realtor by Board Executive Secretary Walter…

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Five Questions with HGAR President Crystal Hawkins Syska

January 21, 2021

To begin 2021, Real Estate In-Depth chose to interview HGAR President Crystal Hawkins Syska who begins her term under unprecedented circumstances with the nation in the grip of a deadly pandemic, a national economic crisis and social and political unrest that will likely shape policy and economic activity for years to come. In recognition of…

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Realtors Overcame Pandemic Restrictions To Post Significant Sales Increases in 2020

January 21, 2021

WHITE PLAINS—Realtors in the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors’ market area that includes the lower Hudson Valley region, adapted to state-imposed restrictions early in the pandemic and rode the wave of pent-up buyer demand to post sales increases as compared to 2019 activity. Sales in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and Putnam counties soared in the…

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U.S. Sen Schumer Pushes Incoming Biden Administration for Expanded Route 17

January 20, 2021

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, who later this month will be designated as the U.S. Senate Majority Leader, revealed on Jan. 14 that he recently held a virtual meeting with incoming U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and urged him to prioritize federal infrastructure funding towards construction projects, including the estimated $500-million expansion of Route…

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NJ Brokerage Merges with Howard Hanna Rand Realty

January 15, 2021

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ—Locally-based Plawker Real Estate, one of Bergen County’s leading brokers, recently announced that it has joined forces with real estate brokerage firm Howard Hanna Rand Realty. The Plawker Real Estate office at 601 Palisade Ave. in Englewood Cliffs will now operate as Howard Hanna Rand Realty – Plawker Group. Additionally, the Plawker Commercial…

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Westchester Advanced Manufacturing Firm Expands Operations with New Lease Deal

January 13, 2021

ELMSFORD—Robert Martin Company announced recently that PTI, a leader in advanced manufacturing technologies, has signed a lease for 13,650 square feet of expansion space at 8 Skyline Drive at the Mid-Westchester Executive Park in Hawthorne. PTI, which manufactures non-destructive package inspection technologies for the pharmaceutical, medical device and food industries, previously signed a lease for…

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Demolition Begins on Yonkers Public Housing Project

January 13, 2021

YONKERS—City of Yonkers officials and executives from the Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers and The Community Builders gathered on Jan. 11 for the demolition of a 1940’s era public housing apartment building that is being replaced with 178 Warburton at The Ridgeway, a new $56-million mixed-income residential complex of 81 apartment homes.…

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Gov. Cuomo Calls for Extension of Commercial Tenant Eviction Moratorium; Proposes Banning Late Fees, Penalties on Residential Leases

January 9, 2021

On Jan. 8, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he would be proposing an extension of the commercial tenant eviction moratorium and measures geared to strengthening protections for rental apartment tenants during the coronavirus pandemic. The proposals, part of the governor’s upcoming State of the State address, will advance legislation to codify an existing Executive Order to…

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NYC Firm Pays Nearly $93M for Northern New Jersey Multifamily Property Portfolios

January 8, 2021

SADDLE BROOK, NJ—New York City-based Spaxel LLC, a multifamily developer and operator, has acquired two multifamily portfolios totaling 24 properties in Northern New Jersey for $92.5 million. The deal totaling 702 units, announced by brokerage firm Marcus & Millichap, was one of the largest 2020 multifamily sales transactions in 2020. Spaxel has a significant portfolio of…

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U.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Rule To Clarify Independent Contractor Status

January 7, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced on Jan. 6 a final rule clarifying the standard for employee versus independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act. “This rule brings long-needed clarity for American workers and employers,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “Sharpening the test to determine who is…

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Commercial Brokers Optimistic About Markets, Opportunities in 2021

January 6, 2021

WHITE PLAINS—A panel consisting of brokers and affiliated professionals in the commercial real estate market were optimistic that the industry in Westchester and surrounding markets will rebound once the coronavirus pandemic has run its course. The panelists agreed that the multifamily housing sector will continue to be strong in Westchester once vaccines have been administered…

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HGAR's New Bronx Office Plays Santa On Christmas Day for Local Families

January 4, 2021

NEW YORK—HGAR's new Bronx office, headed by Eliezer Rodriguez, along with volunteers from the Castle Hill YMCA, distributed toys to more than 500 children on Christmas morning. Some Bronx children who received toys from "Operation Realtors’ Kids." HGAR's Bronx office becomes Santa's Workshop.   This is the ninth year for "Operation Realtors' Kids" that brings…

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Yonkers IDA Provided Incentives for $210M in New Projects in 2020 Despite Pandemic

January 4, 2021

YONKERS—Building on the momentum of a very active 2019, the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency reported on Jan.4 it had provided financial incentives in 2020 to residential and commercial projects representing a total private investment of approximately $210 million. The developments are projected to create 450 new residential units, 129,000 square feet of commercial and industrial…

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Governor Signs Three Indian Point-Related Bills into Law

January 4, 2021

ALBANY—New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblywoman Sandy Galef announced on Jan. 1 that three bills the two legislators sponsored relating to ensuring workforce protections and financial assistance to local municipalities and taxpayers while the Indian Point Energy Center undergoes its decommissioning process, had been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The new…

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