GSAR Hot News - Sales strong, median price growth continues during July in Central New York

Top Headlines for Aug. 27

Sales strong, median price growth continues during July in Central New York

The Central New York median home selling price continued to grow during July as the closed sales total moved closer to the pre-pandemic level, according to the housing market report released today by the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS^® (GSAR). The median selling price was $187,000 in July, while closed sales totaled 893. Read more.

GSAR election begins September 13

Six members are running for three open seats on the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors. The candidates are Jennie Chapin, Nicole Donlin, James Gamble, Tim McCarthy, Patrick O'Connor and Scott Spriggs.Please the take time to get to know the candidates for the open four-year terms by clicking here or watching their videos. This year's election will be conducted online via the member portal between Monday, Sept. 13, at 8:30 a.m. through Sunday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. Thank you to our election sponsor, Empower Federal Credit Union!

September is REALTOR® Safety Month

Every September, REALTORS® focus on ways to reduce the number of safety incidents that occur in the industry, so every REALTOR® comes home safely to his or her family every night. We will accomplish this goal by improving the safety culture in the industry. REALTORS® are encouraged to talk about safety, create a safety plan and encourage their REALTOR® colleagues to do the same. GSAR encourages all members to take the time to review these REALTOR® Safety Strategy Tips.

Get the latest CNY economic news with CenterState CEO newsletter

REALTORS® can keep up to date on the latest Central New York economic and business news by reading the CenterState CEO newsletter. The current issue includes the latest economic insights, information on pandemic business recovery grants, legislative actions that may bring tech businesses to the area and more.Learn more.

Time is running out to visit Fairhaven and take At Home with Diversity for free

There is less than a week for members to take advantage of the GSAR and CNYIS program covering the cost of the At Home with Diversity (AHWD) course for the first 100 members who complete the interactive Fairhaven: A Fair Housing Simulation training. The deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Once you've completed the Fair Haven course, email the GSAR Education Department to be registered for the Oct. 14 At Home With Diversity class. Your registration confirmation can be found in the GSAR Member Portal.

At Home with Diversity is a NAR certification course designed to enable REALTORS® to work successfully with and within a rapidly changing multicultural market. It will help you to learn diversity sensitivity, how it applies to U.S. fair housing laws in your business, and ways to develop professional guidelines for working with people in the increasingly multicultural real estate market.

REALTORS® who take the At Home with Diversity will be able to apply for the AHWD Certification, earn 6 hours of CE, one hour of Fair Housing credit, and use it as an elective towards the ABR, GRI and CIPS designations. It also counts as a module in the C2EX program. Members, who qualify to take the course for free by completing Fairhaven, would only be responsible for the $75 certification fee.

Thanks to our Hot News sponsors

MLS Tips

MLS compliance tip: Make sure to follow attachment rules

CNYIS reminds all participants that disclosures must be uploaded as individual attachments and appropriately labeled. For your reference, here is the rule: Attachments are required if the form is required by State or Federal laws specific to the property (i.e. Property Condition Disclosure Statement and Lead-Based Paint Addendum). The form(s) must be filed as an attachment AT THE SAME TIME that the listing is entered into the MLS and entered individually under the appropriate description. All attachments must contain information, (i.e. disclosure forms, photos, floor plans, maps virtual tours) specifically related to the property being offered. These attachments should not be used for listing agent, company or personal promotion.

CNYIS MLS dues deadline is 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 will process on or around Friday, Sept. 1.

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.

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

Register for GSAR's 22.5-hour continuing education packages available at a discounted member rate of $90, down from $240. You can select from the September, October and November packages.

GSAR designed this program to help all members meet their CE requirements including those who may have been previously exempt from CE requirements. Designed with every schedule in mind, some of the packages will be offered on nights and weekends, while others will be offered during business hours.

September, October* and November package classes will be delivered virtually via Zoom.

* A limited number of members will have the option to take the virtual classes in the GSAR office in October. These spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. There will also be a few classes with an in-person instructor.

The non-member package rate is $270, down from $405.

Learn more and register at cnyrealtor.com/CEpackages.

Plan now to go 'back to school'

in September with these GSAR classes

Agency Disclosure Update

3 hours CE/2 hours DOS Agency - Zoom

Instructor: Mike Smith

Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon

"Agency Update" is a review of basic agency concepts with discussions about common agency pitfalls, confusion and misunderstandings. You will gain an understanding of compliant behavior and the know-how to generate the documentation essential for broker risk reduction. Register here.

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.

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.

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

Upcoming virtual continuing education

• Agency Disclosure Update

3 hours CE/2 hours DOS Agency - Zoom

Instructor: Mike Smith

Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon

• 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.

• 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.

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

Registration opening soon for GSAR's Broker Qualifying Course in September

Registration will be opening soon for the Broker Qualifying Course being offered by GSAR starting on Sept.28 and running through Oct. 26. This course will be delivered in person in the classroom. 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 (a Zoom) in order to keep the students, staff and instructors safe.

Member Benefits and Events

Don't miss this year's Parade of Homes

Plan now to participate in this year's Parade of Homes from Sept. 11 to 26 at Treybrook in Baldwinsville. The REALTOR® morning, sponsored by Solvay Bank, will be on Sept. 17 from 9:30 a.m to noon. There will be a breakfast and a prize giveaway for those who have filled up their "passport" by visiting all the participating builders. Watch Hot News for additional details.

NYSAR opens 2021 Fall Business Meetings registration

Registration for the NYSAR 2021 Fall Business Meetings is open! The meetings will be a hybrid event. Select committee meetings will be held virtually via Zoom the week of September 20-24 and in-person meetings will be held Monday, October 4, through Wednesday, October 6, at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. Register here.

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.