GSAR Hot News keeps you informed about the latest industry news.
Top Headlines for September 18
CNY housing prices continue to climb; sales rise slowly
The median home sales price rose by more than 17 percent across Central New York during August as buyers continued to compete for available homes, according to the housing market report released this week by the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS®. August 2020 sales continued to increase compared to the previous months since the reopening, but still fell 15-percent behind the August 2019 sales total. Read more here.
Study ranks Syracuse as a top market 'poised for growth'
"Syracuse is the market to watch in upstate New York," according to a study released this week by Zillow ranking the top mid-sized cities poised for growth as the pandemic changes homebuyer priorities. Syracuse was ranked ninth in the country based on its current home value price appreciation, projected price growth, how quickly homes are sold, and the number of homes sold above the list price. Read more here.
Registration open for free REALTOR® Safety Course with CE credit
It's REALTOR® Safety Month and registration is now open for "Prospect or Predator? Reduce the Risk of Being Targeted," presented by Dave Legaz, REALTOR and retired NYPD sergeant. GSAR is presenting the free, one-hour class on Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. This class offers one hour of continuing education. Register here.
Missed Raising the Bar? Watch it online!
Last week, GSAR's Raising the Bar #4 featured Dr. Indu Gupta, Onondaga County health commissioner, who provided an update on COVID-19. She alsoa discussed a number of other health issues including prevention tips as flu season arrives and identifying mental health issues. Additional information may also be found on the Onondaga County COVID-19 website.
MLS Tips
Matrix X goes live on Sept. 23
Matrix will be updated to Matrix X on Wednesday, Sept. 23. This is a stepping stone to future upgrades including an overhaul of the auto-email client portal feature and a major CMA Overhaul to 360 CMA this winter. Matrix X features:
New map layers for listing statuses, tax sales, and distressed properties.
An updated look for the contacts module as part of CoreLogic's incremental approach to providing a clean new UI across the entire application. Each contact’s record has been expanded from its old accordion-style format to become a new, dedicated page. Multiple tabs provide access to various information within the contact profile, and new widgets provide insights into the contact’s use of the portal
A modern user interface with changes like My Matrix is now where Home used to be, and Settings, Help, Mobile and Logout were moved under the “Utility Menu.” (Click on your name to get there).
In recognition of REALTOR® Safety Month, Homesnap is offering a 15-minute webinar to teach REALTORS® how to use its free safety timer feature on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 1:15 p.m. Register here.
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Bradford Tax Seminars will be offering "Tax-Reduction Strategies for the Real Estate Professional" via Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 9:30 a.m. The course will cover new tax deductions for 2020 including the new 199A deduction, new car deduction and more. After the seminar, you'll have what you need to bring to your accountant to qualify for thousands of dollars more in deductions. The session will be presented by Kelly Clark, who is a business consultant and training specialist with a proven background in education and business management. Learn more and register here.
Education
Outdoor Education Week delivers in-person CE classes
GSAR members took advantage of the association's Outdoor Education Week to earn CE credit and learn more about fair housing, agency disclosure, understanding deeds and surveys, and the Code of Ethics.
Make the most out of Matrix with next week's classes
Plan now to take three, free courses next week that will help you become more proficient and efficient in using Matrix tools. Register by emailing the GSAR Education Department.
Get started with Matrix, one of the most important tools in your real estate toolbox! You'll learn how to use all of the buttons, widgets and menu options on the homepage. Different methods of searching and working with your contacts will also be covered. Formal training in Matrix will save you time and frustration. You'll want to attend "Matrix 1 Intro Part 2" to learn about some advanced features. (Zoom class. 1.5 CEU)
This is a continuation of Matrix Intro Part 1. Learn some of the advanced features of Matrix. Topics include setting up your Hotsheets and Market Watch reports. You'll also learn about entering and editing listings, how to search public tax records and the Realist database, and how to print address labels for your prospecting mailings. (Zoom class. 1.5 CEU)
The Matrix CMA feature will help you prepare an accurate comparative market analysis for your clients. You'll get tips on how to choose the best comparable properties and how to put the whole report together to present to your client either electronically or in person. (Zoom class. 1.5 CEU)
Matrix Intro Part 1 will be offered again on September 30 at 9 a.m. followed by Part 2 at 11 a.m. Matrix 2: Comparative Market Analysis will be offered on that day at 1:30 p.m.
This class will help you save time and make your life easier by showing you how to automate client/customer contact and how to customize your Matrix account. Keep your contacts up to date by setting up automatic e-mails - let Matrix do the work for you! Did you know that you can reverse prospect and track active listing activity? You'll learn how to do that and more in this class. (Zoom class. 1.5 CEU)
Changing the way we learn: Zoom proficiency will be the key to earning CE credit into 2021
When it comes to education, the events of 2020 have made it clear that REALTORS will need to master Zoom for remote learning to ensure they are able to earn their required continuing education credits. This will be especially important for licensees who will no longer be "grandfathered in" as of June 21, 2021. Every licensee must meet the CE requirements to keep their license. As with in-person CE classes, Zoom classes have specific requirements including being visible on camera for the entire session and signing 10 minutes before the session starts. To learn more about using Zoom for CE classes, please watch the video.
NYSAR's virtual Fall Meetings continue through October 7 and registration is free. Don't miss the General Session with keynote speaker Sean Carpenter and the Legal Update with NYSAR Legal Counsel Anthony Gatto as well as other key industry sessions. A complete schedule and registration are availablehere.
Save these dates! Upcoming Events!
Sept. 21 - Annual Golf Outing, The Links at Erie Village
Sept. 22 - Broker/Manager meeting via Zoom. Starts at 2 p.m.
Sept. 24 - Broker MLS Tools Training with Martin Carpenter via Zoom. Starts at 10 a.m.
