Residential

National Association of Realtors Restructures Senior Management Team

January 16, 2018

CHICAGO—The National Association of Realtors has announced a new internal organizational structure and changes to its senior management team to more effectively and efficiently serve its 1.3 million Realtor members. "This reorganization reflects the promise I made when I was named CEO last August to create better efficiencies in engaging with and serving the association's…

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SPOTLIGHT ON: Robert Shandley

January 12, 2018

Get the Picture: If you know Robert Shandley, you know he rarely travels anywhere without a camera in his hands. Shandley, a new HGAR Director for 2018, can be seen at almost every HGAR event, snapping photos of smiling faces throughout the Hudson Valley. From the Women’s Council of Realtors breakfasts, to RPAC happy hours…

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Hudson Valley Home Sales Continue to Increase, But at Lower Rate

January 11, 2018

WHITE PLAINS—2017 proved to be another positive year for residential sales in the Hudson Valley following the remarkably strong sales of 2016. Participants in the Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service Inc., a subsidiary of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, Inc., reported total residential sales of 18,854, which was a 4% increase in sales over…

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Reps. Lowey, King Introduce Bill to Restore SALT Deductions

January 11, 2018

WASHINGTON—Two members of the New York State delegation in Congress have introduced bipartisan legislation to restore the state and local tax deduction that was capped at $10,000 as part of the federal tax reform plan passed late last month. U.S. Reps. Nita Lowey (D-NY-17/Rockland-Westchester) and Peter King (R-NY-2/Nassau-Suffolk) introduced the “SALT Deductibility Act” on Jan.…

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NAR: The Impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act On Consumers and Real Estate Professionals

January 5, 2018

Editor’s Note: The National Association of Realtors recently posted on its website an extensive analysis of the recently passed federal Tax Reform and Jobs Act. The following are extensive excerpts of that analysis. WASHINGTON—The National Association of Realtors worked throughout the tax reform process to preserve the existing tax benefits of homeownership and real estate…

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Study Ranks New York Third in Nation in Move-Outs

January 4, 2018

ST. LOUIS, MI—New York State ranked third behind Illinois and New Jersey in out migration, according to a study released recently by moving company United Van Lines. The United Van Lines' National Movers Study stated that more Americans are moving westward, while the Northeast and Midwest continued to lose residents. In 2017, more residents moved…

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Residential Sector Continues to Drive Bronx Building Boom

December 28, 2017

NEW YORK CITY—New construction starts in the Bronx are expected to surpass the $2-billion plateau in 2017, according to a report released today by the New York Building Congress. While several new large public works projects came on line this year, the residential housing sector in the borough accounted for more than 50% of the…

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Home Sales Ending Year Strong, Pending Sales Rise Slightly

December 27, 2017

WASHINGTON—Recently released reports on existing home sales and pending sales in November released by the National Association of Realtors showed strong sales activity. However, NAR predicts conditions will weaken somewhat in the new year. The National Association of Realtors reported on Dec. 27 that pending home sales were mostly unmoved in November, but did squeak…

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Governor, Legislature Strike Deal on First-Time Homebuyer Tax Incentive

December 27, 2017

ALBANY—New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo citing the legislation’s potential costs, reached an agreement on Dec. 18 with the State Legislature to have three state agencies study the fiscal impacts of establishing the New York State First-Time Homebuyer Savings Program. The governor signed the New York First Time Homebuyer Savings Program (NY First Home) bill…

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NAR Study Says Millennials Not Only Demographic Desiring Walkable Communities

December 20, 2017

WASHINGTON—It is no longer just millennials fueling interest and investment in walkable communities. According to a new report from the National Association of Realtors, members of the silent or greatest generation (those born before 1944) also prefer smaller homes in neighborhoods with easy walks to shops and restaurants. The 2017 National Community and Transportation Preference…

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GOP, President Trump Score Major Victory With Tax Reform Passage

December 20, 2017

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.…

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HG Realtor Foundation Donates More Than $85,000 to Hudson Valley Charities in 2017

December 13, 2017

WHITE 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…

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SPOTLIGHT ON: Realtor of the Year Barry Kramer

December 11, 2017

Barry 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,”…

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Local Politicos Criticize Plan, Congress on Tax Reform

December 6, 2017

WHITE 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…

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RPA Plan Looks to Address Region’s Housing, Infrastructure Needs

December 6, 2017

NEW 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…

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Scott Durkin Named President of Douglas Elliman

December 6, 2017

NEW 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…

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BHG Rand Realty Central Valley Hold Toys for Tots Fundraiser

December 4, 2017

Toys 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…

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