NYS Commercial Assn. of Realtors April 2025 president’s message - by Robert Strell

We have some terrific programs coming up which we hope you will take advantage of.

On April 29, NYSCAR will be running “Finding Value in Overlooked Properties” a six-hour c.e. course at Herkimer College, 100 Reservoir Rd., Herkimer, which will be run in conjunction with the Mohawk Valley Brownfields Developer Summit. This program is free to NYSCAR members! See advertisement below for details.

23^rd Annual NYSCAR Conference
The 23^rd Annual NYSCAR Conference will be held June 16-17 at Rivers Casino, Schenectady. NYSCAR first vice president Mercedes Brien is the conference chair. June 16 will feature several great education programs and June 17 will feature a top-notch marketing/networking session. Watch your email for details! Sponsorships are available, email: [email protected]

Realtor of the Year Nominations
If you would like to nominate a NYSCAR member for Realtor of the Year, please send a nomination letter to the NYSCAR office by May 1!

The committee looks at the following when considering the recipient:

1) NYSCAR Association Activity: Committee work, special assignments, seminar activities, educational work and offices held.

2) State Association Activity: Offices held, committee work, attendance and participation at conventions, director’s meetings, education work, etc.

3) NAR Activity: National offices, committee work, membership and work in institutes, attendance at national conventions, etc.

4) Civic Activity: Local, state and national levels, participation in civic and service clubs, charitable activities, political activities, etc.

5) Business Accomplishments: Recognized good business conduct and adherence to Realtor Code of Ethics, service to clients, imaginative and creative advertising, imaginative and creative real estate solutions, rehabilitation programs, land utilization, etc.

New York State Association of Realtors Bill to lift telemarketing restrictions introduced in State Senate
This week, NYSAR-supported legislation (S.6853) was introduced in the State Senate that would amend current state law prohibiting telemarketing during a declared state of emergency. NYSAR continues to advocate for passage of this bill which would lift telemarketing restrictions when it is founded that such services would not impair or mitigate a declared state of emergency. Similar legislation passed unanimously in the Assembly in 2023 and 2024 following Realtor advocacy efforts. To date, multiple states of emergency remain in effect under executive orders.

DEC extends public comment period for draft regulations on general permits on freshwater wetlands
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has extended its public comment period through March 31, 2025, on draft regulations regarding new and modified statewide general permits for various activities, including housing development, in state-regulated freshwater wetlands and wetland adjacent areas, protected waterbodies, and navigable waters. This public comment period is separate from the previous comment period implementing amendments to the Freshwater Wetlands Act and wetlands of unusual importance that went into effect January 1, 2025. NYSAR submitted written testimony in September 2024 in opposition to the regulations citing concerns that the expansion of regulated wetlands would greatly curtail much-needed housing development across the state.

Robert Strell is president of NYSCAR, Albany, N.Y.