News

GUEST VIEWPOINT: Business and Environmental Groups United To Protect Hudson River from Anchorages

November 29, 2016

Many business organizations—including the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) and the Business Council of Westchester—have come out in strong opposition to the U.S. Coast Guard’s consideration of regulations that would allow the establishment of new anchorage grounds in the Hudson River. Under the proposal, 10 additional anchorages with space for up to 43 vessels…

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LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS: Realtors Support Renewal of Tax Provisions

November 28, 2016

With the presidential election over we can now, hopefully, move on to the business of governing. The election brings a new administration and new priorities. For the housing industry it is important that we pass several pieces of legislation and be watchful of others. It is particularly imperative that we extend two critical housing tax…

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State, National Home Sales Post Strong Gains in October

November 23, 2016

ALBANY—Home sales in October posted strong gains both in New York State and nationally. The New York State Association of Realtors reported on Nov. 22 that home sales in the Empire State reached the second highest October monthly total on record. Home sales in the Empire State dipped slightly from one year ago, but still…

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UPDATE: Astorino Budget Hinges on Airport P3 Deal

November 22, 2016

WHITE PLAINS—While business groups have praised Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino’s recent public-private partnership (P3) proposal at Westchester County Airport, the county executive’s proposed $1.8-billion budget is predicated on the Westchester County Board of Legislators approving the plan before the end of this year. In fact, the Board of Legislators has until Dec. 27 to…

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DHL, Possibly New Air Carrier Coming to Stewart Airport

November 22, 2016

TOWN OF WALLKILL—While Stewart Airport has made headlines with the recent revelation that Brooklyn Brewery may be building an $80-million facility at the airport grounds in New Windsor, several other major developments at the airport operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey could be in the offing as well. At a…

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Trump Presidency Will Certainly Bring Changes to Housing Market

November 16, 2016

WASHINGTON—While real estate mogul Donald Trump was anything but predictable during his campaign for the White House, his upset victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will no doubt bring changes to the financial and housing markets in both the short and long-term. Although some of President-elect Trump’s policies are still unclear, real estate…

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Gap Inc. Opens Fishkill Distribution Center in ‘Pop-Up’ Facility

November 16, 2016

FISHKILL, NY—At a press conference at the warehouse facilities of Gap Inc. here, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Nov. 16th that the retailer has opened its Fishkill distribution center in a new “pop-up” facility allowing more than 1,200 employees to return to work following the devastating fire that destroyed a company warehouse in August. Currently,…

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Orange County Stages ‘Topping Out’ Ceremony at Government Center

November 16, 2016

GOSHEN, NY– Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus joined Chairman of the Legislature Steve Brescia recently at the Orange County Government Center here for a ceremony to place the final steel beam on top of Division Two of the building. A “topping out” ceremony is a construction tradition that signifies that the highest point of…

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Construction on Iona College’s New Project Could Begin Next Spring

November 16, 2016

NEW ROCHELLE—Iona College recently announced plans for a new facility for its AACSB-accredited School of Business, a state-of-the-art academic building that will incorporate part of the existing Hagan Hall while more than doubling the space for classrooms, lectures and faculty offices. Architectural renderings and plans for the new building were shared with the campus community,…

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Houlihan-Parnes Places Mortgage On White Plains Retail Property

November 14, 2016

WHITE PLAINS— Houlihan-Parnes Realtors LLC  announced recently the placement of a $600,000 first mortgage on 124 East Post Road, a 5,576-square-foot building at the corner of Court Street and East Post Road in White Plains. The seven-year, non-recourse loan is fixed at 3.75% interest on a 30-year amortization schedule, plus has a five-year option. The…

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SPOTLIGHT ON: 2016 Realtor of the Year Gary Leogrande

November 14, 2016

After spending more than 30 years in real estate, Gary Leogrande, broker for Keller Williams New York Realty in White Plains, was still quite surprised to be named the 2016 HGAR “Realtor of the Year” at Member Appreciation Day last month. “Sometimes over the years, I’d be sitting in the audience and thinking, ‘well maybe…

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Hudson United Mortgage Launches ‘Give More’ Winter Charity Campaign

November 14, 2016

WHITE PLAINS—Hudson United Mortgage reported the launch of its winter fundraiser called “Give More,” with the goal of raising money for local organizations that prevent hunger. “With the holiday season and winter weather around the corner, we want to help our community in any way possible,” said Daniel Rand, director of home services for Hudson…

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BARRISTER'S BRIEFING: HUD Proposes ‘Resilience Standard’ To Protect Communities From Flooding

November 14, 2016

On Oct. 27 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development proposed new elevation standards to be known as a “resilience standard” for all HUD-supported properties. These higher elevation standards specifically pertain to properties seeking HUD assistance or Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance. The proposed rule from HUD would mandate that properties considered to…

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER: Adapting to Industry Changes

November 14, 2016

The foundation of my installation speech when I accepted the position as your President for 2016 was, in part, to address the widespread resistance to change among our members. I acknowledged the fundamental desire of all individuals, no matter what profession, to avoid what is unfamiliar and continue with what is most comfortable. I truly…

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Brooklyn Brewery Looks to Invest $80M in New Facility at Stewart Int. Airport

November 14, 2016

NEW WINDSOR, NY—The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Board of Directors tabled a plan that would have Brooklyn Brewery invest at least $80 million on a new 250,000-square-foot facility on vacant land at the industrial park at Stewart International Airport Industrial Park. The PA Board on Nov. 17th tabled the proposal that…

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GATEWAY PERSPECTIVES: It’s the Issues That Matter

November 14, 2016

Many moons ago, when a then young James Carville was an aide working on Bill Clinton’s campaign for president, he uttered the famous line “It’s the economy, stupid” and made a sign with that slogan that he pinned to the campaign headquarters wall to keep everyone on message. The line still resonates today. Elections can…

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PUTNAM POSTING: Trump as President—Good For Business?

November 14, 2016

Through this intense election season, there has been much discussion about how Donald Trump’s policies would affect the business community. In his victory speech he boasted, “We have a great economic plan—we will double our growth and have the strongest economy anywhere in the world.” This is certainly a lofty goal, but how do we…

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A.S.A.P. Mortgage’s Nunez Named ‘Rookie of the Year’

November 11, 2016

NEW ROCHELLE— The NAHREP Westchester Bronx chapter honored A.S.A.P. Mortgage’s Dulce Nunez at its Awards Gala on Nov. 10 at the Glen Island Harbour Club here. Nunez was awarded the Rookie of the Year award. The entire staff of A.S.A.P. Mortgage was present to celebrate the accomplishment. “Rookie of The Year” is awarded to the…

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Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation Presents Donation Check to Furniture Sharehouse

November 10, 2016

The Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation, the charitable arm of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, recently presented a check for $2,000 to Furniture Sharehouse in White Plains. Furniture Sharehouse provides free furniture to economically disadvantaged individuals and families living in Westchester County. Furniture Sharehouse is one of 17 local Hudson Valley charities benefitting from Hudson…

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