GRAR Member Update
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Hello everyone,

Today's update includes the following items:
  • Empire State Development (ESD) April 9 Guidance
  • NYSAR updates:
  • The results of the recent NYSAR survey
  • NYSAR training session on the CARES Stimulus Act for NY State REALTORS®
  • Filing for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

GRAR is closed tomorrow in observance of Good Friday. We will return with the next Member Update on Monday, unless there is a significant development to report over the next three days. As always, please reach out to us at GRARHelpDesk@grar.net with any questions you have.
Andy Kachaylo,
GRAR President
Jim Yockel,
GRAR CEO
Empire State Development
April 9 Guidance on NYS on PAUSE Order
Today, Empire State Development (ESD) formally added real estate services to the essential services list with the restrictions under which we as an industry have been operating over the last week. Therefore, there are no changes to operating protocol at this time.
Following is the ESD announcement in its entirety:

ESD Guidance on Executive Order 2026, Section 14, as Amended April 9, 2020 at 8:00 am
Real estate services shall be conducted remotely for all transactions, including but not limited to title searches, appraisals, permitting, inspections, and the recordation, legal, financial and other services necessary to complete a transfer of real property; provided, however, that any services and parts therein may be conducted in-person only to the extent legally necessary and in accordance with appropriate social distancing and cleaning/disinfecting protocols; and nothing within this provision should be construed to allow brokerage and branch offices to remain open to the general public (i.e. not clients) .
NYSAR Updates
NYSAR
NYSAR Member Survey

NYSAR conducted a member-wide survey April 4 – 6. The purpose of the survey was to help inform the Board of Directors as it considers future guidance for the NYSAR Leadership Team and staff as they advocate on the membership’s behalf.  More than 48,500 members were sent the survey with 11,354 members completing it. From a statistical standpoint, there was a much larger sample than is needed to feel very confident in the study findings. 
Visit NYSAR's Covid Updates page daily for FAQ updates and more information.
NYSAR Webinar
Friday, April 10 at 10:00AM
CARES Stimulus Act Update for the NY State REALTORS®
Presented by CRS Instructors Chris Bird and Dale Carlton

NYSAR is offering this webinar at no cost to members. It will focus on the practical application of the CARES Act and the three major ways REALTORS® will be able to access COVID-19 Stimulus funds.

Specifically included will be detailed information on:
  1. COVID-19 Stimulus Payments
  2. Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Payments
  3. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Participation is open to the first 500 to register and a recording will be to all NYSAR members following the webinar.  

To join, visit https://adobe.ly/2yGJdNo at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of 10 a.m.
-Select GUEST and enter your name.
-Follow prompts and set your speaker. All participants will be muted when entering.
-Enter your email address.
-Enter questions for the instructors in the chat box.
For the best experience, download the software ahead of time and do not use the browser version of Adobe Connect (Windows: https://adobe.ly/2yJ8F4R or Mac: https://adobe.ly/2yILPKI .) Test your connection and setup in advance at https://adobe.ly/39YtKVQ .
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
We encourage you to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
For guidance on how to file and information on other questions you may have:
The NYS Department of Labor issued a guide for filing claims online.
See NYSAR's FAQ's on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
GRAR will be sending updates each weekday until further notice.

Please visit the GRAR Coronavirus page for all updates, other related information, and links to NAR, NYSAR, and the New York State Coronavirus pages.
Also, please join the GRAR Members Only Facebook Group to get updates from GRAR as well as view and participate in discussions. GRAR Members Only Facebook Group .
Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS® | grar.org