GSAR Hot News - GSAR election opens on Monday

Top Headlines for Sept. 10

GSAR election opens on Monday

This year's Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS® election opens this Monday, Sept. 13, at 8:30 a.m. and will run through Sunday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. Voting will be done online via your member portal. Six members are running for three open seats on the GSAR Board of Directors. The candidates are Jennie Chapin, Nicole Donlin, James Gamble, Tim McCarthy, Patrick O'Connor and Scott Spriggs.You can learn more about the candidates for the open four-year terms by clicking here or watching their videos. View this guide for help with questions about how to vote. Thank you to our election sponsor, Empower Federal Credit Union!

'Your Nerdy BFF' Beth Z is back with 'Tools to Create Cool Content'

GSAR's September T3 seminar will feature Your Nerdy BFF Beth Z presenting "Tools to Create Cool Content for Social Media and Marketing." The Zoom seminar will be on Monday, Sept. 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. Back by popular demand, Beth Z will cover video and graphic design tools that help elevate your social media and marketing efforts. Register here before Sept. 26.

Thank you to sponsor, Empower Federal Credit Union!

Plan now to also attend her T3 sessions in October and early in 2022.

Avoid an interruption in service by paying your CNYIS MLS dues before Sept. 15

MLS dues billing notices for access from October 2021 through March 2022 have been posted to all CNYIS MLS participants' accounts. Dues must be paid by Wednesday, Sept. 15, to avoid late fees or an interruption in service. Payments may be made online by logging into your portal at www.cnyrealtor.com/myaccount.

Please note that if you are set up for auto-payments, your payment has been processed and you should verify that your account is in good standing by visiting your portal.

Important dates:

Wednesday, Sept. 15 – MLS bills are due.
Thursday, Sept. 16 – A $30 late fee will be added to delinquent accounts.
Friday, Oct. 1– MLS bills with late fees are due.
Monday, Oct. 4 – Agent shut-offs will begin with a $75 reactivation fee.
Monday, Oct.18– Company shut-offs will begin.

Payment options and additional information are available here.

REALTOR® Safety Month: Don't miss GSAR's safety class

GSAR is offering the safety class Prospect or Predator? Reduce the Risk of Being Targeted, presented by David Legaz via Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. This presentation offers one hour of CE credit. He will be followed by NYS Trooper Brian DeRochie, who will cover how situational awareness can improve your safety. Registration is required. Register here before Sept. 21.

Thank you to sponsor, M&T Bank.

September is REALTOR® Safety Month and a good time to focus on ways to reduce enhance your safety by taking education courses and visiting NAR's Safety Page.

CAN THEY STILL REGISTER FOR THIS? WHAT'S THE DEADLINE?

Ready to become a broker? Register by Sept. 24 for GSAR's Broker Qualifying Course

Register before Friday, Sept. 24, for the Broker Qualifying Course being offered by GSAR starting on Sept.28 and running through Oct. 26. This in-person course is a great opportunity to earn your broker's license before any changes in licensing requirements. Visit www.cnyrealtor.com/education/broker-course/ for details and registration information.

Please Note: The Broker Qualifying Course is currently scheduled to be in person. However, if CDC guidelines and state mandates change, then this course will be moved to a live, virtual platform (Zoom) in order to keep the students, staff and instructors safe.

Gov. Hochul extends state of emergency; cold calling remains prohibited

Gov. Kathy Hochul has extended all prior executive orders, including the current gun violence state of emergency, until Oct. 8, 2021. Licensees are still prohibited from making any cold calls while the state of emergency is in effect.

Real estate licensees may not make any unsolicited phone calls to a member of the public during a state of emergency. General Business Law §399-z(5)(a) states “It shall be unlawful for any telemarketer doing business in this state to knowingly make an unsolicited telemarketing sales call to any person in a county, city, town or village under a declared state of emergency or disaster emergency as described in sections twenty-four or twenty-eight of the executive law.” All other types of marketing such as mailers, billboards, social media, etc., are permitted. You may call a FSBO if you have an identifiable purchaser interested in the property. You are prohibited from calling the FSBO to solicit the listing. You may still perform business-to-business calls so long as you are calling the number provided as the business number.

Thanks to our Hot News sponsors

MLS Tips

Avoid MLS rules violations by properly using the public remarks section

Only information further describing the property is allowed in the public remarks section. No calls to action, phone numbers or showing information are allowed. When a delayed showing/negotiation addendum is used, then the delayed showing/negotiation information is required in the public remarks section.

Please review the rule: "Public Remarks Section – This section is reserved to further describe the property being offered for sale or lease. It should NOT contain: anything that is not about the property itself including marketing info; showing info; personal information; company information; web addresses; phone numbers; co-listers; links; bonus approved information; words or phrases that could violate Fair Housing laws; other inappropriate information, unless required by MLS Rules or guidelines."

REALTORS®: Sign up new affiliate members for chance to win free 2022 dues

Every REALTOR® member that refers an Affiliate member that joins GSAR will be entered into a drawing to win free GSAR, NYSAR, NYSAR and MLS dues for 2022! That's a value of more than $1,200! Earn one drawing "ticket" for every Affiliate member who signs up based on your referral by Oct. 8, 2021. The more you sign up, the more chances you have to win free dues. Download this flyer and start recruiting new Affiliate members today! You can also send them here to join online. Make sure they put your name in the referral box so you get credit.

Education

Plan now to go 'back to school'

in September with these GSAR classes

Fair Housing-It's Everyone's Right

3 hours CE - Zoom

Instructor: Don Radke

Sept. 21 from 6- 9 p.m.

Did you know that if charged with a fair housing violation, you are guilty until proven innocent? Or, that you could be fined in excess of $10,000? As a REALTOR®, you are charged with advocating for and protecting fair housing rights. Come and learn how to stay compliant with the fair housing laws, from record-keeping to advertising. Register here.

The Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS® Safety Promo Video

Prospect or Predator? Reduce the Risk of Being Targeted

1 hour CE - Zoom

Instructor: David Legaz

Sept. 22 from 10-11 a.m.

Presented by Dave Legaz, REALTOR®, and retired NYPD Police Sergeant. He will share known predatory behaviors and proven strategies for real estate professionals to reduce the risk of being targeted on and off the job. Register here.

Real Estate Investment Essentials

3.5 CE - Zoom

Instructor: Randy Templeman

Sept. 22 from 6 - 9:30 p.m.

Learn to better serve your investor clients. Representing investors requires an awareness of investment properties, understanding the differences between property users and investors, and how to handle the steps involved in each stage of the investment process.Register here.

A Review of Real Estate License Law and Recent Legal Matters

1 hour CE - Zoom

Instructor: Vaughn Lang

Sept. 23 from 5 - 6 p.m.

This course will cover recent legal matters pertaining to Real Estate License Law, Fair Housing Laws, and other notable legal updates. This course satisfies the DOS 1 hour Legal Update Requirement. Register here.

Ethics for REALTORS®

3 hours CE - Zoom

Instructor: Don Radke

Sept. 23 from 6- 9 p.m.

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 and customers, the public, and your fellow REALTORS®. The professional standards process and Pathways to Professionalism will also be discussed. Satisfies the NAR ethics training requirement. Register here.

Buyers: Find Them, Bind Them, Mind Them

4 hours CE - Zoom

Instructor: Randy Templeman

Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m..

Purchasers may not want to work with a seller’s agent, preferring an agent that acts on behalf of their best interests. Licensees desiring to represent these buyers can promote their services and competitive differences in the marketplace. While buyer’s agents owe their clients the fiduciary duties described in the NY agency disclosure form, a buyer and agent can also specify and clarify further rights and responsibilities through a binding agreement that stipulates the obligations and expectations of all parties involved. With effective counseling and communication, licensees can provide buyers with the assistance, analysis, advice, and advocacy they anticipate and deserve. Satisfies 2 hours of law of agency training. Register here.

Communications and Clients

2 hours CE - Zoom

Instructor: Britany Mattot

Sept. 28 from 6 - 8 p.m.

Communication is the most important part of real estate. Learn how to communicate effectively and ethically with both consumers and your fellow REALTORS®. Communication can be verbal or non-verbal. This course invites the licensee to examine how they communicate and how to be in tune with how others communicate as well. Register here.

Real Estate Investor Analysis

3.5 CE - Zoom

Instructor: Randy Templeman

Sept. 30 from 6 - 9:30 p.m.

This class will teach you what you need to know to confidently advise and advocate for your investor clients. Learn about investment concepts, terminology, financing techniques, tax implications, and more. Everything you need to know to assist your client in buying, operating, and selling their investment properties. Register here.

GSAR's September classes are sponsored by Empower Federal Credit Union.

Upcoming virtual continuing education

• Fair Housing-It's Everyone's Right

3 hours CE - Zoom

Instructor: Don Radke

Sept. 21 from 6- 9 p.m.

• Prospect or Predator? Reduce the Risk of Being Targeted

1 hour CE - Zoom

Instructor: David Legaz

Sept. 22 from 10-11 a.m.

• Real Estate Investment Essentials

3.5 CE - Zoom

Instructor: Randy Templeman

Sept. 22 from 6 - 9:30 p.m.

• A Review of Real Estate License Law and Recent Legal Matters

1 hour CE - Zoom

Instructor: Vaughn Lang

Sept. 23 from 5 - 6 p.m.

• Ethics for REALTORS®

3 hours CE - Zoom

Instructor: Don Radke

Sept. 23 from 6- 9 p.m.

• Buyers: Find Them, Bind Them, Mind Them

4 hours CE - Zoom

Instructor: Randy Templeman

Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• Communications and Clients

2 hours CE - Zoom

Instructor: Britany Mattot

Sept. 28 from 6 - 8 p.m.

• Real Estate Investor Analysis

3.5 CE - Zoom

Instructor: Randy Templeman

Sept. 30 from 6 - 9:30 p.m.

Education links

Weekly webinars and classes weekly calendar on members' side of cnyrealtor.com

Attention REALTOR members! Your NAR Code of Ethics training cycle is coming to an end on December 31, 2021. Please remember to email your Ethics Certificates to education@cnyrealtor.com if you’ve taken the class already.

Reminder: License 'grandfathering'

ended on July 1

No licensee will be exempt (grandfathered) from being required to complete 22.5 hours of approved real estate continuing education as of July 1, 2021. Additional core coursework is also required.

If your license expiration date is July 1, 2021 or later, your education requirements are:

Agency - 1.0 hour (the requirement for first renewal is 2.0 hours)
Fair housing and diversity – 3.0 hours
Ethical business practices - 2.5 hours
Legal matters - 1.0 hour
Electives - 15.0 hours
Total hours of approved CE: 22.5 hours

‌

Member Benefits and Events

Many GSAR members regularly take advantage of the discounted BJ's Wholesale Club membership benefit. To take advantage of the current sign-up opportunity, click on the links below before Sept. 15.

New BJ's members save between $30 and $60 for an annual membership! Renewing members save between $15 and $30, and receive an extra month of membership! Click here for the flyer with more details on each program.

If you are a renewing BJ's member, use this application.

If you are a new BJ's member, use this application.

Applications must be submitted by email to teneyck@cnyrealtor.com by Sept. 15. Sorry, no exceptions.