Top Headlines for Feb. 26
GSAR/CNYIS members should be aware of scam email attempt to steal personal information
Members have reported to GSAR/CNYIS staff that they have received emails made to seem like they are from GSAR/CNYIS. Do not click on any links in this email. Please know, we will NEVER ask for personal information such as your social security number via e-mail. As a best practice to protect yourself from malicious emails, we recommend that you always look at the sender's e-mail address before replying to any e-mail asking for personal information, or clicking on any links they provide. The e-mail that purported to be from GSAR/CNYIS was actually sent from a Hotmail account, not from a cnyrealtor.com account. Emails from us will always be from our cnyrealtor.com domain.

These phishing emails attempted to take advantage of a legitimate request by GSAR to update your information for the upcoming membership directory. Please use the links in the article below to update your directory information before March 2.
CNY housing market buyer and inventory trends continue into January
The Central New York Housing market began 2021 much the same as it ended 2020 with strong buyer demand, rising prices and a headwind caused by a reduced number of homes listed for sale, according to the housing market report released this week by the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS®. Closed sales were 3.6-percent behind January 2020, which the median sales price climbed by 16 percent compared to a year ago. Read more here.
Plan now to attend GSAR Community Day on Wednesday
The virtual 2021 GSAR Community Day will be Wednesday, March 3, and feature Robert Simpson, president of CenterState CEO, and U.S. Representative John Katko.

Simpson will present his 2021 economic forecast, starting at 10 a.m.. via Zoom. Congressman Katko will provide an update from Washington and current projects in Central New York.

Register here by March 2 at 4 p.m. to receive the Zoom link.

Thank you to our sponsor Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.

Don't forget that if you attend all four Raising the Bar sessions or three of them and Community Day, you will be eligible for a 20-percent discount on your local dues for 2022!
Robert Simpson
Rep. John Katko
Annual membership directory updates are due by March 2
GSAR and CNYIS members are reminded to update their contact information for the 2021 edition of the GSAR & CNYIS Membership Directory. Now is the time to make sure your photo, email address and phone numbers are all up to date. Complete details about how to make sure your directory listing shines are here
MLS Tips
Create and manage concierge auto-emails in Matrix
This week's MLS Tip focuses on the Matrix Concierge Service and how to make the best use of its features. Watch the video here.
Education
GSAR offers agency, Instanet classes in March
GSAR's March education classes will provide the opportunity to learn more about agency and how to use Instanet.

Agency Disclosure
Instructor: Mike Smith
March 2 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.

Instanet: The Fundamentals
Instructor: Shelley Hoffman
March 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. 
This course is designed to help novice 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.Register here.
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Upcoming virtual continuing education and Matrix classes

• Agency Disclosure
Instructor: Mike Smith
March 2 from 9 a.m. to noon

• Instanet: The Fundamentals
Instructor: Shelley Hoffman
March 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. 

Education links
Thanks to our sponsors
Member Benefits and Events
Plan now to attend the next two Raising the Bar sessions
GSAR's Raising the Bar series will be offering to must-see speakers in March and April.

On March 24 at 10 a.m., RTB#3 will feature Beth Z, your Nerdy Best Friend, who will provide technology tips during her presentation like this one about avoiding scams.


RTB#4 will feature Yvonne Conte on April 21 at 10 a.m. via Zoom She will present "7 Habits of Supremely Happy People" and "Successful Virtual Connections."

Don't forget that if you attend four Raising the Bar sessions or three of them and Community Day, you will be eligible for a 20-percent discount on your local dues for 2022!
GSAR Featured Member Benefit
IdentityForce helps you protect yourself against one of the fastest-growing crimes in the U.S .- identity theft. Continuous monitoring, instant breach notifications, daily credit monitoring and 24/7 restoration services.

GSAR members receive a 17-percent savings through this NYSAR program. The UltraSecure service is $14.95 per month, while UltraSecure+Credit is $19.95 per month.
New affiliate spotlight
Monica Browning Photography has been offering professional real estate photography to the greater Syracuse area for the past 3 years. Our team offers still photos with same-day turnaround, along with virtual tours and Matterports, drone photography and video, floor plans and promotional videos with voice or text overlays. We also offer branding/headshot sessions and partner with our agents by providing gift certificates for the portrait side of our business to include in closing gifts.
Cayuga County Chapter creates marketing opportunity for GSAR members
The Cayuga County Chapter has created a marketing opportunity for all GSAR members through the placement of advertising in the Auburn Citizen. The advertisement tells consumers that they can safely sell or buy homes with a REALTOR® and offers them a link to a listing of REALTORS who can assist them. All members have the opportunity to purchase a listing on that cnyrealtor.com landing page for an annual fee of $25. Simply complete and return this form.
Welcome new GSAR members!
The Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS® welcomes its newest members and wishes them great success.
Ellie Klein
NextHome CNY Realty
315-567-4663
Lori Peck
Re/Max Lifestyle
315-952-1356
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