Top Headlines for June 18
You can win a $250 gift card by attending RTB#5 and the Annual Membership Meeting
Members who attend Raising the Bar #5 and the Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, June 22, will be eligible for drawings to win one of two $250 gift cards or a $100 gift card prize. The Zoom-based event starts and 10 a.m. and you must be present at the end of the event to win the prize. Register here by June 21 to be eligible.

The RTB guest speaker will be an attorney from the National Association of REALTORS®. The membership will be voting electronically on Bylaw changes (available for review here) during the Annual Membership Meeting. To conduct the association's business, a quorum will be required, which means 187 members must be present. Click here for the meeting notice.

This is the last RTB of the year and members' last opportunity to earn the 2022 dues discount by attending a total of four RTBs or three RTBs and Community day.
NAR seeking member help in 1031 like-kind exchange battle
Recent proposals to repeal or limit the 1031 like-kind exchange could devastate the commercial real estate sector and investment in communities across the country. NAR is seeking member help in educating lawmakers and their staff about the economic benefits of 1031s. Help defend the 1031 exchange through NAR’s new 1031 Like-Kind Exchange Member Stories Portal, where you can share your story about how you used a1031 to bring economic investment to your community.
Legislative session ends with a flurry of real estate-related bills being passed
The state Legislature sent a number of real estate-related bills to Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the closing days of this year's session. Among the bills awaiting the governor's signature are:
  • S.538-B/A.4638-A: Adds 2 hours of implicit bias education for real estate licensees within the 22.5 hours of CE requirements. (REALTOR® supported)
  • S.2132-B/A.5359: Increases pre-licensing broker and salesperson course hour requirements and requires instructors’ compliance in course education under oath. (REALTOR® supported)
  • A.844-A/S.979-A: Adds 2 hours of cultural competency education for real estate licensees within the 22.5 hours of CE requirements. (REALTOR® supported)
  • A.5363/S2133-A: Adds an additional $30 surcharge to the license fee for real estate brokers and an additional $10 surcharge to the license fee for real estate salespersons to be used for statewide fair housing testing efforts. (REALTOR® supported)
  • A.6355/S.2157-A: Requires two years’ experience as an associate broker before designation as an office manager. (REALTOR® supported)
  • A.4587-A/S.6877: Excludes certain seasonal use tenancies from the 2019 Tenant Protection Act provisions regulating deposits and advances. (REALTOR® supported)
  • A.6593-B/S.5257-C: Creates the Housing our Neighbors with Dignity Act, allowing the state to finance the purchase and conversion of distressed hotels and vacant commercial space into permanent affordable housing.
  • A.3807-A/S.2193-A: Establishes an affordable housing five-year capital plan for NYS Homes and Community Renewal. (REALTOR® supported)
  • A.399-B/S.1780-C: Allows for notarization to be done electronically with the use of video conference technology. (REALTOR® supported)
Save the Date for GSAR's Annual Golf Outing
Save the date, July 19, for GSAR's Annual Golf Outing, and start getting your foursomes lined up! The event will be at the Links at Erie Village and we're excited to bring back the steak bake dinner after the tournament. The Golf Outing is open to all GSAR REALTOR® and affiliate members. Contact Christine TenEyck for sponsorship information. Watch Hot News for registration details.
Thanks to our sponsors
MLS Tips
MLS Tip: Get the most out of the CoreLogic Listing Data Checker by safelisting email address
Now that CoreLogic has moved its Listing Data Checker to Google's Cloud Platform to improve the service, a new notification email has been established - listingdatachecker@corelogic.com. All MLS users are encouraged to add this email address to their email safelist to ensure they receive notifications from the Listing Data Checker. You can review your Listing Data Checker staging account via this link.

Reminder: Have you updated your Clareity Dashboard link?
Earlier in the year, Clareity updated the link to its Dashboard, which is where members log in to access all their MLS services. You should be using https://portal.mynysmls.com. The old server will be taken out of service next week. Any member using the old URL will be prompted to type in the new URL - https://portal.mynysmls.com. Members are encouraged to click on the correct link shown here and bookmark it in their favorite web browser.
Education
Sign up today for GSAR's July discounted CE package session to earn CE credits with great instructors and save
Register today for GSAR's July 22.5-hour continuing education package available at a discounted member rate of $90, down from $240.

Instructors Don Radke and Vaughn Lang, GSAR's legal counsel, will present the first night and weekend CE Package covering ethics, agency, fair housing and more. You can earn all of your CE credits needed to satisfy the DOS requirements without leaving your house! All classes in this package will be delivered via Zoom.

Additional CE packages will be offered in September, October and November. 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.
June and July classes offer a variety of learning opportunities
Plan now to advance your industry knowledge and earn continuing education credits during June and July. GSAR is offering a full schedule of learning opportunities.
Standards-based RE Photography: Level 2
3 hours CE - Zoom
Instructor: Bill Storm
June 24 from 9 a.m. to noon
 
Prerequisite: Level I of this series or experience with non-phone cameras (DSLR, Mirrorless) with advanced features, and experience with computer-based imaging software. There will be a review of some of the topics introduced in Level I, such as truth in advertising, expectations, the rights of sellers and buyers, and basic composition. The remainder of the class will focus on higher-end photo techniques. Register here.

5 Steps of The Loyalty Ladder
3 hours CE - Zoom
Instructor: Randy Templeman
July 8 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Real estate sales used to be an “information and inventory” business. Times have changed. As a result, the real estate industry has shifted from an emphasis on properties and transactions to consumers and relationships. This approach encourages licensees to develop methods for building and retaining loyalty with the people they do business with. Real estate agents must recognize that to receive loyalty, they must provide loyalty, a key fiduciary duty. Establishing relationships emphasizes the value of long-term associations with clients by focusing on trust, service and satisfaction rather than on sales transactions. By concentrating on the present as well as future needs of consumers, real estate agents can improve their relationships with clients. Register here.

Tales of Sales
4 hours CE - Zoom
Instructor: Randy Templeman
July 13 from 9 a.m to 1 p.m.

Improve your understanding of selling to achieve the primary goal of buyers and sellers: a closed transaction! Increasing your competency in the history, methods, and steps involved in sales will enhance the overall transaction experience of your clients with increased professionalism and fewer problems.


Flushed with Success: Rural Water & Septic System
3 hours CE - Zoom
Instructor: Mike Smith
July 14 from 9 a.m to noon

Wells and septic systems can be lawsuit-magnets for REALTORS®. The course will cover the basics of commonly used wells and septic systems. The information you gain in this course will allow you to: recommend appropriate testing and inspections of such systems by qualified professionals; display the knowledge needed to discuss alternative solutions with your clients in a credible manner; and avoid delays in the transaction by anticipating issues before they become problems.
Upcoming virtual continuing education

• Standards-based RE Photography: Level 2
Instructor: Bill Storm
June 24 from 9 a.m. to noon

• 5 Steps of The Loyalty Ladder
Instructor: Randy Templeman
July 8 from 1 to 4 p.m.

• Tales of Sales
Instructor: Randy Templeman
July 13 from 9 a.m to 1 p.m.

• Flushed with Success: Rural Water & Septic System
Instructor: Mike Smith
July 14 from 9 a.m to noon

• Multiple Offers: Handle with Care!
Instructor: Mike Smith
July 22 from 9 a.m to noon

• Deeds, Surveys and Land Use
Instructor: Brittany Mattot
July 27 from 9 a.m. to noon

• Legal Update
Instructor: Vaughn Lang
July 31 from 12:30-1:30 p.m.


Education links
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.
Member Benefits and Events
Thinking about retirement? NAR's Center for REALTOR® Financial Planning offering seminars
Due to high demand, NAR’s Center for REALTOR® Financial Wellness has created additional seats for its LIVE: 2021 Retirement Summit four-part series event The dates and topics are:
  • Retirement Planning Basics - Wednesday, July 7, from 1 -2 p.m. CDT
  • Getting Retirement Ready - Wednesday, July 14, from 1 -2 p.m. CDT
  • Planning for the Unexpected - Wednesday, July 21, from 1 -2 p.m. CDT
  • Legacy and Estate Planning - Wednesday, July 28, from 1 -2 p.m. CDT
You will learn how to plan for retirement, legacy and estate planning, and more. Space is limited! Register here.

Registration open for NAR Conference
in San Diego
Registration for the NAR REALTORS® Conference and Expo is open to all members. The conference will take place Nov. 12-15 in San Diego. NAR will offer in-person and virtual options for attendees.

Triple Play REALTOR® Convention & Trade Expo scheduled for Dec. 6-9
Triple Play REALTOR® Convention & Trade Expo is scheduled for December 6 – 9, 2021 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
NYSAR is hopeful that the event will be held in-person and on schedule, pending any changes in current government mandates.
Welcome new GSAR members!
The Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS® welcomes its newest members and wishes them great success.
Lisa Chelenza
Hunt Real Estate ERA
315-682-7197
Delilah Tippet
Integrated Real Estate
315-522-3194