GSAR Members News and Events

An urgent message from NYSAR President Daniel J. Hartnett:

We need your support to secure an extension of the federal First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit

Dear fellow REALTORS,

The extension of the federal First-time Homebuyer Tax credit is necessary to help the New York State housing market keep moving in a positive direction, which will assist in our economic recovery. From the tip of Long Island to the shores of Western New York and all points in between, we have seen the positive benefit of the $8,000 tax credit.

The Division of Licensing Services will soon be issuing photo identification cards to all real estate licensees. For those who are currently licensed, the photo ID cards will be issued upon renewal or upon performance of an online transaction that produces an ID card.

GSAR wants to help you have a safe week, a safe year & a safe career!
In recognition of REALTOR Safety Week - Sept. 13 - 19th, please read the article below and visit realtor.org/safety for more valuable safety tips!

UNPA (University Neighborhood Preservation Association, Inc.) has launched a new program with help from Home HeadQuarters to assist new homebuyers in turning rental units into owner-occupied homes within a targeted area adjacent to the Syracuse University Campus.

Important MLS Notice

As many of you may already know, Central New York Information Service, Inc. (CNYIS), has created an Alliance with Rochester and Buffalo to create one single MLS database for the members.

The implementation of this new system will begin on September 15th with what is called the "Parallel Period" in which both the new system and old system can be used. The old system will cease on November 17th.

See below, directly from the IRS on a question having to do with Military deployment and the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit:

September 13 - 19 is REALTOR Safety Week! Please read the below article about identity theft prevention, and visit www.realtor.org/safety for more safety tips!

Identity theft is a serious and costly crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims may lose job opportunities, be refused loans, housing or cars, or even get arrested for crimes they didn't commit.

NYSAR President Daniel J. Hartnett recently sat down with John Jordan, editor of Real Estate In-Depth and Greater Hudson Valley Real Estate Quarterly, to discuss the success of Lobby Day 2009 and why such events are important to the livelihood of real estate professionals.