In many of her articles for Real Estate In-Depth last year, past President Dorothy Botsoe referenced the fact that “we are the world.” I think there is tremendous positive energy in that phrase, reflecting our diversity and the fact that our proximity to New York City creates opportunities to work with buyers and sellers from…
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Net neutrality is critical to the real estate industry. Realtors deal with various online platforms 24/7. Net neutrality is shorthand for the concept that Internet users should be in control of what content they view and what applications they use on the Internet. More specifically, net neutrality requires that broadband networks be free of restrictions…
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A recent letter to the editor in a local newspaper regarding the proposed “Internet Fairness Conformity Tax” stated there are opposing views on this act here within our county. I see this act as an opportunity to level the playing field for smaller “Main Street” businesses. While obviously we all agree that taxes are out…
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The National Flood Insurance Program expires on July 31st of this year. Congressional action is needed. We thank the House for passing H.R. 2874, the 21st Century Flood Reform Act that would comprehensively reform and reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program for five years. We urge the Senate to take up H.R. 2874 to avoid…
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When I became president of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors in January one of my goals was to expand member participation and to personally express my gratitude to individuals who raise the bar in their commitment to association activities. One way that I’ve done this is by establishing a WOW! Award. The award recipient…
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For those of you who diligently read Real Estate In-Depth, as well as the weekly email updates we provide to all HGAR members, you know that there is a lot going on with the organization. I must confess that sometimes I feel that I’m constantly juggling meetings, appointments, phone calls, strategy sessions, e-mails, texts, and…
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The New York Department of State Regulation Section 175.25 (a)(2) defines a real estate team in this way: “ 'Team’ means two or more persons, one of whom must be an associate real estate broker or real estate salesperson, associated with the same real estate brokerage who holds themselves out or operate as a team.”…
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HGAR leadership and staff will once again be attending the annual NAR Legislative Meetings (May 15-18) to take an active role in advancing legislation and influencing public policy that affects the real estate industry. This year there are four major issues on the agenda. The first of these issues is net neutrality. HGAR and NAR…
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This past April 15th was the annual Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Elected Officials Forum. Each year town/village, county, state and federal level officials are invited to discuss the overall business climate, economic development and our legislative priorities for the upcoming year. Some very honest conversations took place. Cost of permitting and development in area…
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Some New York State real estate brokers also happen to be attorneys-at-law. These members should refrain from performing both roles simultaneously for a real estate client. A 2017 decision from the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Professional Ethics reaffirmed the traditional prohibition on this practice. Opinion 1117 issued last April states that a…
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Lobby Day has always been one of the most important days of the year. For nearly 20 years I’ve participated in nearly every one, and this year's event was one of the best ever. I have to admit that arriving in White Plains to catch a bus at 6 a.m. has never really appealed to…
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In February of this year I wrote about our discussions with the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island to create a regional MLS covering New York City and the greater suburban area. I’m happy to report that those discussions continue to move forward in a very positive direction. I’m also very pleased to advise that…
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Last week the town of Carmel purchased a lakefront lot on Lake Mahopac, an opportunity that could not be passed up and perhaps should have been undertaken a long time ago. Many feel the town made a hasty decision and over paid. According to Nicole Stern, Mike Barile purchased the property 20 years ago for…
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The property tax cap has been a good starting point for reigning in the cost of tax increases every year on homeowners, but this is simply no longer enough. Property taxes continue to go up, albeit at a controlled rate. One means a municipality may use to increase revenue is to artificially raise assessments to…
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Insurance Regulation 208, which can be found at 11 NYCRR 228, was made effective on Dec. 18, 2017. This regulation, passed by the New York Department of Financial Services was finalized pursuant to certain consumer complaints regarding the title insurance industry. Since the regulation became effective, customary marketing and business prospecting tools that many title…
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As mentioned in HGAR President Barry Kramer’s column this month, not only is April Fair Housing Month, we are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act, formally referred to as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of…
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Today begins the call for nominations for the “Women in Leadership” Trailblazer awards. The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce has been recognizing business excellence and non-profit achievement since 2011. Honoring professional achievement and civic contributions in the Putnam County community, the Trailblazer Awards represent the highest acknowledgment from professional peer judges across the county. Over…
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April is Fair Housing Month and this year we are also commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act. As a Realtor for the past 20 years I have been proud to be affiliated with the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors and other organizations that are committed to promoting fair and…
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2018 is a celebratory year in the history of the fair housing movement. It marks the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. The act banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the renting, buying, and selling of all types of housing. Passage of the act, which was signed into…
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Most of us remember the Great Recession of 2007-2012 and, more specifically, the crippling financial crisis of 2007-2008. One of the largest—if not the largest—contributors to this event was the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis. During this time, we experienced “a perfect storm” of falling real estate values, tightening mortgage lending practices, and the evaporation of…
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