GSAR Hot News - Buyer 'love letters' to sellers can create fair housing violations

Top Headlines for August 28

Buyer 'love letters' to sellers can create fair housing violations

In today's market with heavy competition for fewer homes, your buyers may want to include a personal letter with their offer. Brokers and agents should be wary of the potential for fair housing violations these types of letters may bring, and are reminded to exercise caution. Best practices for this scenario include listing agents strongly advising their clients against accepting these letters. This article from the New York State Association of REALTORS® is a must-read for both brokers and agents.

Missed T3? Learn ShowingTime tips and tricks from the video

If you missed Martin Carpenter's tips and tricks for ShowingTime and other MLS products this week, you can watch the T3 - Tech Tips & Training seminar video to learn how to use "hidden" features of ShowingTime, FastStats and more. Thank you to our sponsor, HH&K

New home sales surge to highest level in 13 years

Sales of newly built, single-family homes increased by nearly 14 percent in July to reach the highest level of sales since 2006, according to date released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. New home sales are up 21.7 percent on a year-to-date basis in the Northeast. Read more.

GNN Special Edition featuring NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun

The latest episode of GNN features NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun

In this Special Edition of GNN, National Association of REALTORS® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun provides an update on the economy and the housing market. He also answers questions about Central New York during his appearance at the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS® Raising the Bar session. You can view his slides here.

Voting for GSAR directors runs through Sept. 10

Voting for the three open positions on the GSAR Board of Directors is now open. All members should have received an email from election@cnyrealtor.com on August 27 with a unique URL that will allow you to vote in GSAR's 2020 election. Simply click on the link to cast your ballots. Learn more about the candidates. Voting ends on Sept. 10 at 4:30 p.m. GSAR thanks its sponsor, Empower Federal Credit Union, for their support.

MLS Tips

Avoid possible MLS fines by changing the property status when the contract is signed

MLS rules calls for agents to change the status of their listings once they have a signed contract to avoid a $50 fine. This rule is designed to ensure that all other agents know the house is under contract. Agents should not be waiting for attorney approval or contingencies to be met before changing the status from A (Active) to C (Continue to show) or U (Under contract) or P (Pending).

Learn more about Matrix 360

in this new video tutorial

In this video tutorial, you'll learn about the following core Matrix features: market watch and hot sheet widgets; searches; auto email; client portal; CMA; and stats. 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."

Thanks to our sponsors

Member Benefits and Events

Annual GSAR Golf Outing registration now open

Get your foursome together and register today for the annual GSAR Golf Outing on Sept. 21 at The Links at Erie Village! Tee times will start between 8 and 9 a.m. Register before Sept. 7 to take advantage of the early-bird discounted registration of $80 per person. Registration increases to $100 per person on Sept. 8. A portion of the proceeds will benefit On Point for College and the OCC REALTORS® Care Hub. Lunch will be served at the turn and 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. For anyone who wants their own personal cart, reservations must be made before Sept. 4.

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

RTB#4 will feature Onondaga County Health Commissioner Indu Gupta

GSAR members will have the opportunity to hear about best public health practices for safely working with consumers from Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta during Raising the Bar #4 on Sept. 10 at 10 a.m.

Gupta will also share health tips for the upcoming flu season, and how to identity and cope with mental health issues.

Click here to register for this informative event. Thank you to sponsor Solvay Bank.

Remember, if you attend all 4 Raising the Bar seminars OR 3 Seminars and Community Day (which was held on March 4) you will receive a 20-percent discount on your local GSAR dues for 2021!

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.

GSAR Featured

Member Benefit

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

Your pet is part of the family. ASPCA^® Pet Health Insurance can help you take good care of them. Plans are priced exclusively for members of the National Association of REALTORS®.

NAR and GSAR members receive 10-percent off the base rate of the policy premium for one insured pet and an additional discount for two or more pets. Click here or call 877-267-3752.