The Green Sheet 5/7/2021

The Green Sheet | Friday, May 7, 2021

Weekly Headlines

GAR BOD Primary Election Now Open

The Primary Election for the 2022 GAR Board of Directors opened at 9AM today (Friday, May 7th) and will close on Monday, May 17th in accordance with the Bylaws. An email containing the ballot link and unique credentials have been sent to each Voting Member to cast your vote electronically. Voting members (those who are eligible to vote in the election) are REALTORS® and REALTOR-Associate® members in good standing that have been a member of GAR for at least 5 years, OR members who have served on a committee for at least 1 year at GAR, CTR or NAR. Read more about the GAR Board of Directors Election Process.

Reminder: J Codes must be included in listing contracts

To become enforceable the language of the “J” Codes is required to be shown on the Listing

Contract or on an Addendum to the original contract, which ensures the language has been authorized by the owner. By contrast, "K" Codes do not require an owner’s signature and may be

added to the listing at anytime by the Listing Broker/Agent. Refer to the GAR/GMLS Resources page for a full list of available J & K Codes.

New Sales Tax on Homes and Commercial Real Estate

CT REALTORS® continues to speak out against a new proposed sales tax on real estate transactions (i.e., a new conveyance tax). Online ads and billboards urge lawmakers to oppose section 4 of House Bill 6441. The bill would permit municipalities to add this new tax starting July 1, 2021 with the obligation to be on the buyer, seller or both. The lack of specification related to this new tax can cause many of your pending transactions to be problematic as it would require a new negotiation and costs. The proposal impacts both residential and commercial real estate. If you haven't already, please send your state representative an email opposing the new tax.

Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo

The National Association of REALTORS® virtual Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo is underway, and will run through May 14th. Registration is free for all NAR members. Sign up at legislative.realtor.

NAR Update on Nationwide Eviction Moratorium

On May 5, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia struck down the Center for Disease Control's (CDC's) nationwide eviction moratorium set to expire at the end of June, concluding the moratorium exceeds the limits Congress placed on the CDC's authority. The Department of Justice (DOJ) immediately filed a notice of appeal and an emergency stay of the order pending the appeal. In response, last night, the D.C. District Court issued a temporary administrative stay. This means the CDC eviction moratorium remains in place across the country pending another hearing on the DOJ's motion.

Housing providers should continue to the monitor the case, as the CDC's eviction moratorium remains in effect nationwide based on the court's temporary administrative stay. The D.C. court will have a hearing in the next two weeks on the DOJ's emergency motion for a stay pending appeal, and the temporary stay will remain in effect until that decision is issued. Stay tuned for more updates as this litigation continues to evolve.

NAR Committee Deadline

CT REALTORS® interested in serving on a National Association of REALTORS® 2022 committee have until May 28th to submit their application. Visit ctrealtors.com/NARcommittees to apply.

View more updates in the General Forum

Upcoming Events

Flexmls Training: Setting-Up Auto-Subscriptions

5/14, 10:00am | Register Now

Flexmls Training: How to use the Flexmls Mobile App

5/19, 10:00am | Register Now

Flexmls Training: How to copy a listing

5/28, 10:00am | Register Now

Also, check out upcoming FlexMLS Webinars.

Member Resources & Updates

CTR.tv presents 5 in 5 (5/3/2021)

Quick Links

GAR Member & GMLS Subscriber Updates

New:

Guillermo Franco, Coldwell Banker Realty, Greenwich (RA) Association only

Jose Avelar, Coldwell Banker Realty, Rye (M)

Reinstate:

Stephanie Wall, Houlihan Lawrence, Greenwich (RA)

Cleveland Brown, Douglas Elliman of Connecticut (M)

Thomas Bepko, Yellowbrick Real Estate (P)

Firm Name Changed:

Kinard Realty Group to BHGRE Shore & Country Properties

Address and Phone: same