NYSAR Business Meeting Synopsis

Let me give you an update of what is going on at the NYSAR Business Meeting in balmy Albany (balmy as long as you don’t leave the hotel). Dutchess County is very well represented with a contingency from DCAR and WCR.

I arrived Monday afternoon in time for the Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee meeting. Kevin Mc Queen, President of Focus Forward Consulting underscored the changes in mobile technology and the need for agents to keep up with those changes. The real estate buyers want real time data and they want it now. Technology such as doing a GPS search for properties around the exact location you are standing with your phone. We are in an on-demand environment where the consumer dictates when they want information from you 24-7. No more can we say I’ll get it for you on Monday when the office opens. In my view consumers are the Realtors competitors when it comes to information. He also touched on the Realtor Property Resource (RPR) that I wrote in this blog after the NAR meetings. I’ll write more about the RPR later.

Fred Cantor chaired the Commission Protection Working Group meeting with NYSAR legal staff Mike Kelly and Anthony Gatto. A survey was reviewed that was sent out to gauge the membership’s use of the provisions of the Commission Escrow Act of 2008. The work group agreed to additional communication and education pertaining to the Act. The survey revealed the Act as being underutilized. Information on the Act and its’ provisions may be found on www.nysar.com .

The evening was finished off with Inaugural Dinner installing the NYSAR officers for 2010. Special recognition was given to Joan Sanford as Realtor of the Year and Kim-Marie Mullin as president-elect for NY State Women’s Council of Realtors. The event was very nice and a goodtime was had by all.

The Association Update Tuesday outlined initiatives planned for NYSAR for 2010. Top on President Hank Fries list is to bring greater cultural diversity to the NYSAR ranks through a newly appointed PAG. A presentation followed on the RPR program with the beta testing to begin this spring. There is more information on the RPR in my older postings of the blog. This topic had much buzz and discussion of the pros and cons of this initiative took place during the question and answer period after the demonstration.

Wednesday began with the Joint Board Forums and a presentation by Susan Young of Realtor.com. She demonstrated the new look Realtor.com, the tools available for the public to research properties, an Open House function and the enhanced features available to agents with priced upgrades. Also, iPhone users are able to search for active listings from where they are on Realtor.com by downloading the application (app) to their iPhone. This is one of the items Kevin Mc Queen spoke of on Monday. For more information you may contact Susan Young of Realtor.com at susan.young@realtor.com .

The Large Board Forum discussions centered on engaging younger people into leadership positions, the benefit of members attending the Leadership Training Program, utilizing social networking and the issue of dealing with negative comments (agent ratings) posted on web sites by the general public.

The Legislative Policy Forum covered pending legislation that will have an impact on the real estate industry. Mike Kelly from NYSAR pointed to three important items of pending legislation that NYSAR opposes. A proposal to change the size of a state wetland from 12.4 contiguous acres to one acre, statewide transfer tax authorization and a “loan counseling disclosure notice” to be attached to all contracts of commercial or residential sale of real property. There will be a “call to action” for these items in the near future.

The Technology Forum demonstrated the advantages of using less expensive Netbooks for MLS access. While they are not designed to replace a laptop or desktop they are lightweight and very mobile. The iPhone and Droid were given good reviews as mobility devices. The reoccurring comment regarding devices by the presenter was that each agent should select mobility devices predicated upon the way they do business. What is right for one person may not be right for another. There was a discussion on the use of video to promote yourself and highlight your listings. Sal Prividera, NYSAR Director of Communication & Marketing demonstrated the new NYSAR web site www.nysar.com and the beta version of a mobile site www.nysar.com/mobile.htm . This is in beta and may not be always be available and the address may change at public launching.

The Lower Hudson Regional Meeting of the boards from our region gave reports on the status of their board’s and positive and negative issues each is encountering. The boards represented are Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Columbia/Greene, Rockland, Orange and Westchester/Putnam. An excellent report from Dutchess was presented by DCAR Executive Officer John Greenan outlining the new and policies and social events (FUEL) put in place this past year that have enhanced DCAR.

I did keep a very busy schedule and yet because of many sessions going on simultaneous I could not get to all of interest to me. I’ve tried to recap the highlights of the sessions I attended and relay to a snapshot of what is happening in our industry. The NYSAR Business Meetings are a worthwhile venue and I suggest you attend the next one in September.