Viewpoints

Kim Meyers

GUEST VIEWPOINT: HGAR Opens Doors for Small Business Training Supports Community Capital’s Efforts to Bolster Economy

March 29, 2017

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…

Leon Cameron, Esq.

BARRISTER'S BRIEFING: It’s Time to Talk About Timeshares

March 13, 2017

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…

Dorothy Botsoe

PRESIDENT'S CORNER: Tea Time!

March 10, 2017

“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…

Richard Haggerty

GATEWAY PERSPECTIVES: Relationship Goals

March 10, 2017

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…

Jennifer Maher

PUTNAM POSTING: Will NY State Ever be Business Friendly? Putnam County Can Lead by Example

March 10, 2017

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,…

Philip Weiden

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS: The Time to Fight for the Mortgage Interest Deduction is Now

February 28, 2017

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…

Richard Haggerty

GATEWAY PERSPECTIVES: Changing Landscapes

February 15, 2017

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…

Dorothy Botsoe

PRESIDENT'S CORNER: Marching On!

February 13, 2017

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…

Jennifer Maher

PUTNAM POSTING: The State of Our State

February 1, 2017

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…

Philip Weiden

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS: How Debts and Deficits Could Impact Real Estate

January 25, 2017

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…

Richard Haggerty

GATEWAY PERSPECTIVES: Celebrating Diversity

January 17, 2017

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…

John Kope

GUEST VIEWPOINT: New President, New Congress Will Likely Create New Challenges and Opportunities in Real Estate

January 17, 2017

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…

Jennifer Maher

PUTNAM POSTING: Preparing For the Return of the Trailblazer Awards

January 12, 2017

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…

Dorothy Botsoe

PRESIDENT'S CORNER: We Are the World

January 11, 2017

“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…

Philip Weiden

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS: New Report Shows NY Losing an Alarming Number of Residents to Other States

December 27, 2016

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…

Marcene Hedayati

President's Corner: Heartfelt Thank You for Helping Transform My Vision Into Reality

December 15, 2016

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…

Richard Haggerty

GATEWAY PERSPECTIVES: In the Blink of an Eye

December 12, 2016

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…

Jennifer Maher

PUTNAM POSTING: Small Business Development Center Returns to Putnam County

December 7, 2016

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,"…

Ned Sullivan

GUEST VIEWPOINT: Business and Environmental Groups United To Protect Hudson River from Anchorages

November 29, 2016

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…

Philip Weiden

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS: Realtors Support Renewal of Tax Provisions

November 28, 2016

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…