Top Headlines for July 24
As the market gets busy, it's a good time to review the advertising regulations
In today's fast-paced market, it's vitally important that you comply with the current advertising regulations issued by the New York State Department of State regardless of the medium. For example, these regulations also apply to social media in addition to more traditional forms of advertising. While Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS® staff frequently assist members with questions, there are several valuable online information sources including this synopsis from the DOS. It even includes a link to a checklist for your use before you place an ad. For additional information, visit GSAR's Fair Housing and Advertising Regulations page, located under Broker Resources.
Home prices continue to rise in Central New York
The median selling price of homes throughout the Greater Syracuse region climbed 7.7 percent in June compared to a year ago, driven by the continued decline in the number of homes listed for sale, according to the housing market report released this week by the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS ® . The combination of fewer listings and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in home sales falling by nearly 59 percent compared to June 2019. Read more here .
ADA compliance is important for every real estate website, even yours!
In 2019, NYSAR published an article advising licensees that any public facing website operated by the licensee must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Recently, some licensees have been contacted by at least one law firm, stating that their websites do not comply with current ADA accessibility requirements. Read more here to be sure you and your website are in compliance.
GSAR's trade show will be held virtually
Our "Main Event" held in the fall is one of our largest and most popular events. We are excited to still be able to bring our trade show to you on Oct. 22 in a virtual environment.

We are thrilled to announce that our keynote speaker will be Beth Z., "Your Nerdy Best Friend".

Stay tuned for more details about this event.
MLS Tips
Step-by-step you can create a CMA in Matrix
Matrix has many YouTube videos available to teach you tips and tricks of the program. Within Matrix, click on the "Help" tab and "Matrix Video Tutorials." Here is a video that will teach you how to create a CMA.
New square feet field debuts in Matrix displays
Following approval by NYSAMLS, a regional joint venture of the Multiple Listing Services in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, the values in Realist/Public Records for both Above Grade Square Feet and Total Square Feet will now show in listings. These fields will be in addition to the data the listing agent entered or auto-populated in the Square Feet field. The new fields will not be editable.
 
If the square feet varies from Realist, listing agents are instructed to put an explanation and the source of the corrected square feet in the Public Remarks field. The data the listing agent enters is what will be searchable in Matrix and will appear on websites. For additional information about this change and MLS square footage rules , see the News and Alerts section in Matrix .


Education
It's not too late to sign up for the multiple offers class
Knowing how to handle multiple offers is a must in today's market. Multiple offers: Handle with Care! on July 29 starting at 9 a.m. will teach you to navigate the ethical, legal and strategic pathways that arise in multiple offer situations. Class discussion will focus on: concerns of the participants; Articles of the Code of Ethics that pertain to multiple offers; red flags; and indisputable facts about handling multiple offers. This Zoom course satisfies 2.0 hours of DOS required Law of Agency training.
Click here to register in your member portal.
Become more aware of common environmental issues in residential properties
GSAR's virtual CE class, Killer House You Have There, will be presented on Aug. 12 from  9 a.m. - noon via Zoom.
The course is an overview of common environmental issues that one might find in residential properties and might affect the real estate transaction. Learn about challenges for sellers and/or buyers that may affect financing, marketability, and usefulness of the affected property. Risk-reducing best practices that will shorten marketing time for sellers, provide smoother transactions for buyers, and reduce liability for all parties will also be covered.
Click here to register in your member portal.
Update on license expiration dates from DOS
Effective March 27, 2020, pursuant to  Executive Order 202.11 , any license issued by the Division of Licensing Services or New York State Athletic Commission, that expires after that date, shall remain in effect until September 5, 2020. Further, the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council has advised that appraisers within New York have been granted a 90-day deferment for meeting continuing education requirements.
 
Any license holder that is eligible to renew and does not need the extension is encouraged to do so; all other license holders may rely on the above extensions. Please note licensees who submit a renewal after the expiration date printed on their license but by September 5, 2020 will see a change in their license term dates upon renewal, however, our office will maintain a record of the EO extension and your license will considered continuous licensure for this period.
Upcoming Virtual Continuing Education

  • Multiple Offers: Handle with Care!
July 29, 9 a.m. - noon

  • Killer House You Have There
August 12, 9 a.m. - noon




NOTE: Virtual CE classes require that you have a camera and a microphone. You must view a Zoom tutorial or be familiar with the basic Zoom functions. In order to receive CE credit, you must be visible and be able to communicate verbally during the entire class - no exceptions. 
Work on earning designations
to enhance your career - all via Zoom

CIPS - The Americas
August 4, 5 and 6
9:30 a.m. to Noon each day
7.5 CE Hours

PSA - Pricing Strategy Advisor
August 4, 5 and 6
9:30 a.m. to Noon each day
6 CE Hours

View course details and register  here
Register early – classes fill up fast! All classes delivered via Zoom
Thanks to our sponsor
Member Benefits and Events
T3 to focus on cybersecurity next week
Join us for our next T3 session on July 27 at 1 p.m. You will learn about cybersecurity from Dawn Lanouette and Stacey Axtell from Hinman, Howard & Kattell Attorneys ( HH&K). They will cover:
 
  • The evolution of cybercrime.
  • How to protect your data. 
  • Cybersecurity laws including the NYS SHIELD Act. 
  • The dangers uncovered in the remote workforce during COVID.
  • Social media safety for businesses.
  • Preparing to respond to a cybersecurity breach.

Seminar is sponsored by Hinman, Howard & Kattell Attorneys.

No registration is required to participate in this Zoom session. Just click on the the link and use the information below:


Meeting ID: 857 9635 4615
Password: 885691
9 things to embrace today and keep embracing when COVID-19 goes away
Join Steve Richman, Genworth's That MI Guy, on Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. as he covers nine habits he thinks we should all embrace today. The session will be offered via GoToMeeting. There are many skills and habits to embrace and keep beyond COVID-19 that will make us better mortgage and real estate professionals. Register here for this free seminar.
GSAR Featured Member Benefit
GSAR members will receive 20-percent off Botox injections! Show your GSAR discount card from your Membership Directory.

The office is located at 6800 E. Genesee St. Fayetteville, Suite 1200. Call
315-251-1234 for more information.
New Affiliate Spotlight
Welcome Bradford Tax Solutions
Join us in welcoming our new Affiliate member, Bradford Tax Solutions.

Bradford and Company has been helping Real Estate Professionals save money on their taxes for more than 40 years, providing REALTORS® with deductions and strategies that will help reduce their tax burden and keep more money in their pockets! REALTORS® learn safe, effective and legal strategies that will help their business prosper immediately.

Contact Robin Smith, chief operating officer, at 415-999-0248 for more information.
Welcome new GSAR members!
The Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS ®   welcomes its newest members and wishes them great success.
 
Daniel Smith
Appraisal Services of CNY
315-342-6184
 
Carrie Wines
Keller Williams Syracuse
315-701-6900
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