July 2020 message from the president of NYSCAR - by James Walker

I hope you are doing well and staying safe. I know everyone has been very busy getting back to work and I just want to remind you that it is of the utmost importance to follow safety guidelines issued by the state while conducting business. NYSAR has guidance for real estate activity as well as a disclosure form and health screening questionnaire which you can find at nysar.com. Keeping everyone safe is a top priority.

I have been meeting with the NYSCAR Chapter presidents from around the state via Zoom. It is a great opportunity to share ideas and keep abreast of what is happening throughout the various regions.

Continuing Education Requirements – Changing in 2021

We want to again remind you that the continuing education requirements will be changing for real estate licensees, effective July 1^st, 2021. Please be sure to be mindful of the new requirement as you take courses. Licensees will still be required to take 22.5 hours of CE credit but there are new course requirements.

Currently, the NYS Department of State Continuing Education (CE) requirements for all real estate licensees until July 1, 2021 are: 22.5 hours of education approved for CE credit that includes the following core requirements: 

1. Three hours of fair housing/anti-discrimination training; 
2. One hour of Law of Agency training (two hours if within the licensee’s first cycle); 
3. The remaining credit hours are elective.

The new requirements will take effect July 1^st, 2021. Licensees will need to take 22.5 hours of NYS DOS approved continuing education that includes the following core requirements: 

1. 2.5 hours of business ethics; 
2. One hour of legal updates; 
3. Three hours of fair housing/anti-discrimination training; 
4. One hour of Law of Agency training (two hours if within the licensee’s first cycle); 
5. The remaining credit hours are elective.

Changes to the “Grandfather” Education Status

Effective July 1, 2021, the “grandfather” status will be eliminated for c.e. credit. This means:

1. If a licensee’s license expires prior to July 1, 2021 and they hold grandfather status, they do not have to take continuing education.
2. If a licensee’s license expires on or after July 1, 2021 and they hold grandfather status, they will need to have taken 22.5 hours of approved continuing education, which includes the new core requirements, prior to renewing their license. (see above CE requirement details as of July 1, 2021)
3. An attorney admitted to the NYS Bar is exempt from continuing education.

National Association of Realtors Leasing Conditions in a Pandemic Environment

This report discusses the results from a survey about leasing conditions in the second quarter of 2020, capturing the critical period when almost all states implemented stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders that ground business to a near halt, resulting in office, business, and recreational facilities closures and an unprecedented surge in unemployment. See more

Amidst Health, Safety Concerns, NAR’s 2020 REALTORS Conference & Expo Goes Virtual

The National Association of Realtors announced that the 2020 Realtors Conference & Expo, previously scheduled from November 13-16 in New Orleans, will be transitioned to a fully virtual format in light of ongoing health and safety concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. NAR completed the first-ever virtual iteration of its Legislative Meetings from May 12-14, where 28,000 participating Realtors nearly tripled the annual conference’s average attendance.

“Uncertainty has in many ways defined 2020. While positive indicators begin to show our economy is rebounding and treatment options for COVID-19 are proving more effective, so much remains unknown about this virus and the circumstances we will face as a nation come this fall,” said NAR president Vince Malta, broker at Malta & Co., Inc., in San Francisco, CA. “In order to prioritize the health and safety of our members, staff and sponsors, NAR looks forward to hosting a fully virtual Realtors Conference & Expo this November.

“Coming off the success and record-breaking participation of our Legislative Meetings, we’re confident that this format will ensure the widest reach possible, providing more accessible and affordable participation opportunities for all of our 1.4 million Realtor members.”

James Walker, CCIM, is the 2020 president of NYSCAR, Albany, N.Y.