Reform of the Tax Code is important, but must not eliminate the tax benefits of homeownership. Since its inception over a century ago, the U.S. income tax system has recognized the positive effects of homeownership for families, communities, and society by granting certain tax benefits to homeowners. The result has been a home-owning society that…
Read More
One of the benefits of HGAR’s move to One Maple Avenue in White Plains is the fact that we have great light in the office from oversized windows and skylights. Ironically the view from my office looks out over our former offices in the Westchester Pavilion Mall at 60 South Broadway, with the Ritz Carlton…
Read More
I first want to thank everyone who attended the installation and made it a success. It was a terrific, fun event with a focus on inclusion, diversity, and making our organization stronger, more unified and on target for moving forward as we embrace the changing face of real estate this year. Another change worth mentioning…
Read More
Our governor chose an unusual delivery for his 2017 “State of the State” message, visiting multiple sites as opposed to the customary presentation in front of a joint session of the State Legislature and invited guests. Some of his proposals have garnered attention from the business community. His signature proposal, to make state-run college tuition…
Read More
Debts and deficits run by the federal government, despite experiencing declines over the past seven years, have been at record levels for several reasons. The lack of revenue to the government, coupled with high federal spending, has contributed to the problem. We also experienced a financial crisis that crippled our economy for many years. We…
Read More
As I write this article it is Martin Luther King Day, a national holiday honoring an individual whose singular eloquence, passion, and determination did so much to bring to an end legal segregation in this country. In the nearly 49 years since Dr. King’s assassination we have certainly made progress in improving race relations and…
Read More
We know that 2017 will be a time of change with a new President, a new Congress, and new members of the Cabinet. As Realtors, we will all need to be watchful of changes affecting homeownership, specifically: mortgage rates, closing costs, rising inflation, job and income gains, housing supply, income-tax reform that might eliminate some…
Read More
The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, the county’s largest business organization and primary advocate, voice, and resource for the business community, is calling for nominations to be considered for the Chamber’s seventh annual “Best in Business” Trailblazer Award. Nominations may be submitted online at pcctrailblazers.com. The nomination deadline is Feb. 7, 2017. Winners will be…
Read More
“There comes a time when you heed a certain call, When the World must come together as one.” Michael Jackson & Lionel Richie Greetings and Happy New Year to all!!! As our nation prepares to embrace change in the White House, none of us as Realtors are exempt from the role we will play in…
Read More
New York Sate shed 191,367 residents to other states during the year ended in July, according to an analysis by the Empire Center for Public Policy of U.S. census population estimates conducted each year. The net migration loss is equivalent to the entire population of the City of Yonkers. New York has now lost a…
Read More
This is my last column before we usher in our new President, Dorothy Botsoe and her team. So for this reason, I would like to thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve this association and experience the sense of fulfillment that comes with working with positive, conscientious and innovative individuals. These individuals…
Read More
Just one year ago I wrote an article for this publication about 2016 being the 20th year anniversary of Real Estate In-Depth, as well as the 100th anniversary of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, which was established in 1916. Boy did this year go by quickly! We certainly did celebrate, starting with a gala…
Read More
After more than a decade’s absence, the New York State Small Business Development Center has returned to Putnam County with a satellite office alongside the Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce in the Tompkins Community Center, 953 S. Lake Blvd., in Mahopac. "Over 90% of the companies that operate out of Putnam County are small businesses,"…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
There are many headwinds facing the overall housing market in New York State. Some of them are high property taxes, strict land use regulation, and difficulty saving for a down payment. Student debt has also been a big factor in preventing a boom in the housing market. What can be done to address some of…
Read More
Homeownership and property rights are the pillars of our industry and by showing support for those two ideals, through contributions to RPAC, we have protected and empowered our members so they can be the best at what they do. Undoubtedly, our primary goal as an association is to ensure that our members continue to grow…
Read More