August message from the president of NYSCAR’s Upstate chapter - by Guy Blake

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer.

NYSCAR Committee Service

NYSCAR will be soliciting committee members for 2020. If you are interested in serving on one or more of NYSCAR’s committees, please consider requesting service. If you have an interest in education, the legislative area, membership, RPAC, Technology, etc. We want to hear from you! Watch for the committee information this fall. We encourage you to participate – don’t sit on the sidelines, get involved!

Board of Governors Meeting

The NYSCAR Board of Governors will be meeting on Tuesday, September 24^th, 2019 at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona.

Continuing Education

The Assembly and Senate passed New York State Association of Realtor-supported (NYSAR) legislation to require the inclusion of an additional 2.5 hours of ethical business practices and 1 hour of legal updates in the core continuing education requirements. This increases the mandatory continuing education component from 4 to 7.5 hours. The bill also removed the grandfathering exemption for licensees with 15 years of experience who received their license prior to 2008. 

This bill needs to be signed by the governor to become law. We will keep you updated on this important issue.

Challenger considers run against senator Amedore 

Michelle Hinchey of Saugerties, daughter of late congressman Maurice Hinchey, is considering a run for the 46^th State Senate seat currently held by Realtor member George Amedore (R-Rotterdam). Sen. Amedore has been a strong supporter of Realtor issues and was elected to his third term in the Senate in 2018 and was in the State Assembly from 2007 to 2012. 

NYC storefront vacancies to be tracked by new online database

Many New York City building owners will soon be required to register with the city as part of a new database aimed at reducing the number of storefront vacancies. 

The City Council passed a bill that mandates the tracking of storefronts and second-floor commercial spaces across the five boroughs in an effort to accurately measure vacancies and come up with informed solutions for filling them. 

NAR Annual Conference

The National Association of Realtor (NAR) Annual Conference is being held November 8-11 in San Francisco. The Realtors Conference & Expo is one of the largest annual events for the most successful real estate professionals. The event takes place every November across a four-day weekend, Friday through Monday.

The conference experience is about education, networking, motivation and fun! Choose from over 100 education sessions (including commercial) to learn about strategies and solutions that meet your clients’ needs. Then, browse the industry’s largest trade show, with over 400 exhibitors, to find products and services that will help you conduct business more efficiently. Make time to attend special events, as they provide a fun way to network with peers in a casual atmosphere. You will return home with the knowledge, tools and contacts to be successful in this competitive business.

Go to www.nar.realtor under the Events tab for full information and to register.

Guy Blake, CCIM, is the president of NYSCAR and is an associate real estate broker with Pyramid Brokerage Company, Newburgh, N.Y.