GSAR Hot News - Congratulations to the newest GSAR directors

Top Headlines for September 11

GSAR members elect Manzano, Pedrotti and Rouse to the board

The members of the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS® have elected Dave Manzano Sr., Eric Pedrotti and Mary Rouse to three-year terms on the board of directors.

Manzano is a former two-term GSAR president and REALTOR® of the Year. A licensed associate broker, he has been working in real estate since 1989.

Pedrotti has been a REALTOR® for 14 years and a GSAR member for 9 years. He is a licensed associate broker.

Rouse has been a REALTOR® for more than 30 years and serves GSAR professional standards committee. She is a licensed real estate salesperson.

The association thanks all who ran for the vacant director positions for their dedication to GSAR.

GSAR thanks its sponsor, Empower Federal Credit Union, for its support of this year's online election.

Newest GNN features legislative update from Albany

In the latest edition of GNN, GSAR CEO Lynnore Fetyko discusses politics, elections and RPAC with NYSAR Director of Government Affairs Mike Kelly. He provides an update on legislative activity in the state's capitol and how the association is working on behalf of the industry in Albany.

Gov. Cuomo extends state of emergency; cold calling prohibited

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has extended the state of emergency declaration to Oct. 4. Licensees should be aware that this extends the cold calling prohibition, and that they are required to follow all state guidance and directors for conducting real estate activities. According to guidance issued last week by NYSAR: "Licensees are still prohibited from making any cold calls. Real estate licensees may not make any unsolicited phone calls to a member of the public during a State of Emergency. General Business Law §399-z(5)(a) states “It shall be unlawful for any telemarketer doing business in this state to knowingly make an unsolicited telemarketing sales call to any person in a county, city, town or village under a declared state of emergency or disaster emergency as described in sections twenty-four or twenty-eight of the executive law.” All other types of marketing such as mailers, billboards, social media, internet etc., are permitted. You may call a FSBO if you have an identifiable purchaser interested in the property. You are prohibited from calling the FSBO to solicit the listing. You may still perform business to business calls so long as you are calling the number provided as the business number."

GSAR kicks off first-ever Leadership Program

GSAR held its inaugural Leadership Program session last week. Based on a strategic initiative endorsed by the board of directors, the seven-week program is designed to assist members in developing their professional abilities and learning more about board service. The program will prepare future leaders by covering how non-profit organizations function, how local government works, board of directors functions, financials and budgeting, and conflict management.

MLS Tips

Learn 4 ways to search in Matrix

In this video tutorial, you'll learn four ways to search in Matrix using search criteria, maps, speed bar and recents search functions. 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."

Education

Get ready for GSAR's Outdoor Education Week!

If you registered for GSAR's Outdoor Education Week series of classes, we will look forward to seeing you next week under the big tent at GSAR. Limited registration is still available. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Take advantage of the last in-person class this year that will help you fulfill your fair housing education requirement for license renewal by attending Fair Housing: It's Everyone's Right. Don Radke will lead the class on September 15 from 9 a.m. to noon.

As a REALTOR^®, you are charged with advocating for and protecting fair housing rights. Come and learn how to comply with the fair housing laws from record keeping to advertising and more.

Other classes being offered include: Agency Disclosure Update

with instructor Mike Smith on Sept. 14; Understanding Deeds, Surveys, and Land Use with instructor Brittany Mattot on

September 16; and REALTOR^® Code of Ethics with instructor Don Radke on Sept. 17.

Reminder: You must bring your own bag chair, drinks and snacks. In order to maintain safety for all, access to the GSAR building will be for restroom use only. Masks must be worn by anyone entering the building and social distancing will be required.

Save the date! Safety seminar set for Sept. 25

Join Dave Legaz, REALTOR and retired NYPD sergeant, on Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. via Zoom for "Prospect or Predator? Reduce the Risk of Being Targeted." This class is free for GSAR members as we observe REALTOR® Safety Month. The class is in the approval process for one hour of CE credit. Watch your email for registration information.

Upcoming Courses

Matrix Intro Part 1

September 23 - 9 - 10:30 a.m.

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)

Matrix Intro Part 2

September 23 - 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

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)

Matrix 3: Comparative Market Analysis

September 22 - 1:30 - 3 p.m.

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)

View the complete monthly schedule

Weekly webinars and classes weekly calendar on members side of cnyrealtor.com

GSAR Zoom class attendance rules

We need our members' help and cooperation in order to ensure you receive your CE credit and that our classes are conducted in the most efficient manner possible. Registration for all GSAR Zoom classes and seminars will now be closed at 4 p.m. on the day before the session. There will be no exceptions, and no "walk-ins" will be allowed. For all Zoom sessions, including continuing education, attendees must sign in prior to the start of the session. For all sessions that require attendance the ability to join will be locked out at 10 minutes after the session starts. No exceptions will be made. In order to receive credit for attending the class or seminar, you must be in attendance for the full session. A camera is required and you must be visible during the entire session and be familiar with these basic zoom controls: mute/un-mute; video on/off; and chat. You must sign in/out using the chat feature. Zoom tutorials are available on Zoom.us or YouTube.

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.

As a member of GSAR, you are eligible to join AmeriCU! Enjoy all of the benefits of membership such as Online and Mobile banking, fee free access to a network of over 500 ATMs, and much more! Click here for more information!

Thanks to our sponsors

Member Benefits and Events

There's still time to register for GSAR's annual Golf Outing

The annual GSAR Golf Outing will be on Sept. 21 at The Links at Erie Village! Tee times will start between 8 and 9 a.m. Registration is open through Sept. 17 at $100 per person. A portion of the proceeds will benefit On Point for College and the OCC REALTORS® Care Hub. Lunch will be served at the turn. The course rules call for you to only ride in a cart with some you are regularly in contact with as a way to promote health and safety.

Registration is also different this year, one member of each foursome must register and pay for all members online at cnyrealtor.com/myaccount and then complete the form on this flyer and email it to GSAR. Contact Christine TenEyck with questions by calling 315-457-5979 x 227 or emailing teneyck@cnyrealtor.com.

Registration open for NYSAR's virtual fall meetings

Registration is open for the New York State Association of REALTORS® Fall Business Meetings, which will be offered virtually from Monday, Sept. 14, through Wednesday, Oct. 7. In addition to committee meetings, special events will include the General Session with keynote speaker Sean Carpenter and the Legal Update with NYSAR Legal Counsel Anthony Gatto. A complete schedule and registration are available here.

Save these dates! Upcoming Events!

Sept. 21 - GSAR Golf Outing at 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.

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RPAC

GSAR announces first RPAC auction winner

GSAR CEO Lynnore Fetyko was the winner of the Yeti cooler with a bid of $500 in the GSAR RPAC online auction held via its Facebook page. The next item will be unveiled Friday morning on the Facebook page and members may bid on it through Monday, Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. Members are also encouraged to donate items to the auction. The donor will be credited for making an RPAC donation equivalent to the value of the item. Help GSAR meet its RPAC goal by supporting the auction as a bidder or donor. Investing in RPAC is an investment in the future of your business and industry.

Visit the GSAR Facebook page on Friday to find out more about the MacKenzie Childs necklace donated by Nancy Quigg for the next RPAC auction! Thank you, Nancy, for your support of RPAC!

Welcome new GSAR members!