GSAR Hot News keeps you informed about the latest industry news.
Top Headlines for April 23
Home sales, prices climb across Central New York during strong 2021 first quarter
The Central New York housing market posted a strong first quarter with double-digit growth in both closed sales and median selling prices, according to the housing market report released this week by the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS®. Closed sales were up by 15.3 percent across the region compared to the first quarter of 2020, while the median sales price grew by 15.4 percent compared to a year ago. Learn more.
There's still time to sign up for next week's Lobby Day
Registration for NYSAR's annual Lobby Day, set for next Tuesday, is still open. The virtual event on, April 27 will give REALTORS® the opportunity to educate their legislators about key REALTOR® issues. Register here.
Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board has a volunteer opportunity for real estate licensee
The Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board is seeking a licensed real estate professional to serve on its all-volunteer board of directors. Additional qualifications include having experience and an interest in the rehabilitation of historic properties and sites. Learn more about the SLPB here. Email GSAR (WHAT ADDRESS) your letter of interest and resume by April 30.
NAR report: Marijuana business fueling real estate demand
Commercial real estate practitioners are reporting significant demand for warehouses, land, and storefronts for marijuana businesses in states that have legalized cannabis, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ newly released “Marijuana and Real Estate: A Budding Issue” report. The report—a survey of more than 8,000 members practicing commercial real estate—examines the legality of marijuana in terms of medical or recreational use and its impact on the real estate market.
MLS Tips
MLS Tip: Using the Supra eKey
This week's MLS tip focuses on how to use your Supra eKey app to open the lockbox and get the house key.
Don't miss GSAR's class about agency next week; plan for May classes
GSAR's last April education class will cover agency. May classes will cover ethics, Instanet and more.
Dual Agency: Both Sides Now
Instructor: Mike Smith
April 29 from 9 a.m. – Noon
Are In-house transactions causing confusion? Not sure what to say when a friend wants to buy your listing? Is your team working from the same playbook as the DOS? Dual agency is sometimes confusing for consumers and licensees. Get grounded in all the yeses, noes, and maybes, with a side order of “always” and “never,” while satisfying your agency education for license renewal. At the end of the course, you will have a better understanding of how dual agency situations arise, how to explain dual agency to the consumer, and how to handle in-house transactions. This course satisfies 2 hours of Law of Agency.Register here.
Ethics for REALTORS®
Instructor: Don Radke
May 5 from 9 a.m. – noon
Are you living by the Code? The REALTOR® Code of Ethics is your pathway to professionalism. Adhering to the Code is what separates you, as a REALTOR®, from other real estate professionals. In this class, you will be reminded of your duties to clients, customers, the public, and your fellow REALTORS®. The professional standards process and Pathways to Professionalism will also be discussed. This class satisfies the NAR ethics training requirement and the DOS Training Requirement. 3 hours CE. Register here.
Fundamentals of Instanet
Instructor: Shelly Hoffman
May 11 from 1 -4 p.m.
This course is designed to help beginner users of Transaction Desk navigate through the system to create the required paperwork for a transaction. Participants will create professional documentation for both buyer and seller, thereby providing a clean, typed version of their forms for easier reading and understanding. You will learn how to print, e-mail and/or send the documents for an electronic signature using Authentisign.3 hours CE. Register here.
The List Price is Right
Instructor: Randy Templeman
May 12 from 9 a.m. - noon
Sellers rely on real estate professionals for advice on pricing their properties. Preparing an accurate comparative market analysis (CMA) is essential. In this course, you will learn about collecting and evaluating the data needed for the CMA and how to present an objective summary to the seller to get their property sold in a reasonable period of time with minimal stress and inconvenience.3 hours CE. Register here.
Upcoming virtual continuing education
• Dual Agency: Both Sides Now
Instructor: Mike Smith
April 29 from 9 a.m. – Noon
3 hours CE
Upcoming virtual Matrix classes
May 5:
Introduction to Matrix 1 at 9 a.m.
Introduction to Matrix 2 at 11 a.m.
Matrix 2: Customization and Auto Emails at 1:30 p.m.
May 12:
Introduction to Matrix 1 at 9 a.m.
Introduction to Matrix 2 at 11 a.m.
Matrix 3: CMA at 1:30 p.m.
May 26:
Introduction to Matrix 1 at 9 a.m.
Introduction to Matrix 2 at 11 a.m.
Matrix 2: Customization and Auto Emails at 1:30 p.m.
Attention REALTOR members! Your NAR Code of Ethics training cycle is coming to an end on December 21, 2021. Please remember to email your Ethics Certificates to education@cnyrealtor.com if you’ve taken the class already.
The Spring Sales Course is open for registration!
Brokers and agents, do you know of anyone looking for an exciting career in real estate? Let them know our live virtual 75-hour Salesperson Licensing Course begins on May 5, 2021!
NAR offers free one-hour fair housing course to NY REALTORS
The National Association of REALTORS®, in partnership with the Perception Institute, will be offering "Implicit Bias: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing" for free to REALTORS® in New York State. The one-hour, Zoom-delivered course will take place on May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon. The Perception Institute’s foundational mind science workshops focus on increasing comfort level with navigating identity differences, explaining the science of identity, and engaging the use of interactive exercises to build new muscles of equitable behavior.Register here.
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Member Benefits and Events
May T3 to focus on drone photos and videos
GSAR's T3 webinar, Drone Photos and Videos for Real Estate, on May 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. will cover what real estate professionals will need to know to do their own drone photography and how to hire the right professional.
This introductory course will cover some of the key rules the FAA is enforcing, a basic understanding of drone technology, and what it takes to make and save drone photos and videos.Register here by 4 p.m. on May 23.
