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…
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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…
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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,"…
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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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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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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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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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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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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…
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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…
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On Monday, October 17th, the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, Inc. conducted its Annual Member Day and celebrated its 100th Anniversary at the DoubleTree Hotel in Tarrytown. The day included informative sessions which focused on topics like Google products and memory retention, as well as an ethics class taught by HGAR’s Director of Legal Affairs,…
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We have only a handful of hotel rooms. Our commerce districts are relatively small and often overlooked. However, Putnam County has a vast ecological, historical and cultural resource within commutation distance of New York City, potentially making us an ideal ecotourism destination for the millions of people to our south. Given the undeveloped nature of…
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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Sept. 15, 2016 issued "Limited English Proficiency" (LEP) guidance that addresses how the Fair Housing Act would apply to claims of housing discrimination brought by LEP persons who do not happen to speak, read, or write English proficiently. Housing providers are therefore prohibited from using…
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With the deadline for submitting this article looming ahead of me, I did what most members of my generation do when faced with limited time and significant work ahead of them, I went on-line. I checked out Instagram, read some stories on Snapchat and browsed Facebook. During my hour of “socialization” I learned that a…
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In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended in 2008 by the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, (collectively, the “ADA”) was enacted to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. The ADA’s general rule provides, “No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and…
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As we all know, land use regulations in New York State make it one of the most expensive states to build and do business in. We rank high in property taxes, high in utility costs, and in several other areas, as well. Rental costs have been increasing, in part, due to Millennials choosing to rent…
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What began as the Westchester County Board of Realtors in 1916 has, over time, transformed itself into what we now know as the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors. Apart from the natural growth of the industry that has been the main driver of our membership, we have also had multiple opportunities to join forces with…
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In mid-August President Elect Dorothy Botsoe and I made the trek to Chicago to the National Association of Realtors 2016 Leadership Summit. NAR conducts the Leadership Summit every year for the association’s incoming President and the CEO. In addition to numerous updates on NAR initiatives, the program provides the incoming President of NAR the opportunity…
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We are currently looking for two people to embark on the 2,000-mile epic journey to commemorate the Fireball Run's 10th Anniversary. The eight- day adventure begins in Western New York, winds through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and back into New York before concluding in Amesbury, MA. Putnam County will be featured near the end of the trek,…
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In speaking with many of our members over the years, I have always been perturbed by the fact that many of us forget or are unaware that HGAR offers more tools to its members than simply our Multiple Listing Service. Don’t misunderstand me, our MLS is vital and often central to our ability as real…
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