Under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), attorneys may collect fees related to pursuing claims of non-compliance of the law but plaintiffs are not permitted to collect damages. Lawsuits often target easily correctible infractions such as signage, soap dispenser heights and transition lifts on ramps. Owners of these properties often have a…
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We are taught at an early age by our parents and teachers to always say please and thank you. Alas, sometimes as we grow older we forget the common courtesies in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but we should not forget to show our appreciation to the HGAR members who give up so…
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“Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.” Napoleon Hill There’s a biblical phrase my mother used to often say to me “To whom much is given much is expected,” and after my first six months as HGAR President I totally believe she continues to be right! We have come a long way…
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Recently, we discussed Putnam County’s not-for-profits and how the business community could best support and enhance their efforts. To extend that topic further, perhaps we should consider promoting Putnam County as a hub for religious organizations. People may not realize it, but Putnam County is home to some rather large religious organizations. One of my…
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Big changes are needed at the local government level in order to make home ownership attractive to the millennial generation. Big changes are needed at the state level to our transportation system in order to get people from Point A to Point B. To begin to foster change on the local level, Realtors should attend…
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“Go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.” – Jimmy Carter It's May and our real estate season is off to a good start! But to keep bearing "good fruit," we must keep the pressure on our state legislators to promote our agenda and I urge all Realtors to come together for our…
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I know. We often sound like a broken record. “Please contribute to the Realtors Political Action Committee (RPAC)--It’s your safety net and insurance policy concerning Realtor issues and homeownership interests.” “Please respond to NAR’s most recent call to action—you need to let your legislative leaders know how important maintaining the mortgage interest deduction is, or…
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“CFA” has been a buzzword in state politics for awhile, yet few seem to understand it or what it means. With the process now in its seventh year, the New York State website states, “The CFA (or Consolidated Funding Application) process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy…
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Tax reform has been proposed. Do not panic yet. Why do I say that? Because even though the Trump Administration has laid out the tax reform proposal, Congress has not weighed in as yet. In order for long-term tax reform to work where deductions are eliminated or modified, the Senate needs 60 votes. Right now…
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“Achievement has no color.” ― Abraham Lincoln It’s Fair Housing and Cultural Diversity Month for Realtors and in our line of business it is not acceptable to consider a client’s race, or make ethnic judgments that would adversely impact our customers. We must continue to treat all buyers and sellers as equals in every aspect…
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Last Friday (April 7th) the Realtor community lost an invaluable leader, an industry advocate, and a great friend, Henry W. “Hank” Fries. I had the true privilege to have known Hank for over 30 years, back when he headed the commercial division for Houlihan Lawrence Inc., prior to striking out on his own as a…
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The 7th annual gathering of Putnam County leadership was held on April 2 at the Spain Cornerstone Park in Carmel. Federal, state, county, town and village elected officials attended an informal roundtable conversation on items the Putnam County Chamber considers its legislative priorities. A lively exchange ensued and some action items were identified. From the…
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Important Elements of The Real Estate Transaction: Real estate closings in parts of New York State do not always go as smoothly as one would like. In many other states, real estate transactions are handled primarily by the real estate agents and not the attorneys, who negotiate the offers between sellers and buyers and primarily…
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Don’t worry! Don’t panic, the title of this article is “Fake News.” It is not true. However, a few years ago this, astonishingly, could have been true if not for the advocacy by the New York State Association of Realtors and your Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors. A New York State legislator had proposed a…
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There are many issues of concern to Realtors on the political horizon this year. Congress is currently absorbed considering the nomination of a Supreme Court Justice as well as the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) so, tax reform, while currently not yet at the forefront, has serious implications for Realtors. 1031 exchanges are being targeted in…
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WHITE PLAINS—The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors was proud to host Community Capital’s first of four entrepreneurial training and networking sessions at HGAR's state of the art offices in White Plains. The initiative, called “SCALE” (Success, Collaboration, Access and Learning for Entrepreneurs), is a program designed by Community Capital to meet the unique needs of…
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We see the glitzy advertisements on television all the time. A low-cost timeshare offer beckons you away to a tropical or otherwise desirable location. Realtors and members of the public should always investigate to see if all that glitters is truly gold. The purpose of the article is to describe exactly what are the basic…
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“When change is afoot, it's always exciting to get involved and be a part of the movement instead of going along for the ride as a mere participant. I’m psyched!”—T. Teresa Belmore, BHG/Rand Realty Teresa said it best; we are in an exciting time at HGAR as we begin to experience what it really means…
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Relationship gurus will tell you that the key to any successful relationship is communication, and the lynchpin to successful communication is listening. HGAR is actively engaged in strategic planning for the association and one of the primary areas of focus with this endeavor is communications. HGAR President Dorothy Botsoe appointed a Work Group for this…
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2016 was a record-breaking year for non-business-friendly regulations with the onerous minimum wage increase and the most generous family leave mandate in the country. Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, said, “These mandates, combined with the lack of any meaningful, broad-based business climate reforms, left our state’s small,…
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