January / February 2010

Caring • Committed • Community-Minded
Official Publication of the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS®
VOLUME 21, NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
GCAR Officers
Officers and
Directors Elected
At Annual Meeting
At its November 3rd Annual Meeting of the Membership, GCAR elected officers and directors to take office January 1, 2010. The meeting was
held at The Desmond in Colonie and was chaired by GCAR president
Sandra Nardoci.
REALTOR® Laurene Curtin, Albany Realty Group, the 2009 presidentelect will move into the position of president on January 1, 2010.
Elected at the meeting to join Mrs. Curtin were:
Anthony Garufi (12),
Fraida Varah Real
Estate Group
Joel Koval (12),
Realty USA
President-Elect –
Paul Semanek,
Realty USA
President –
Laurene Curtin,
Albany Realty Group
Secretary/Treasurer
– Nina Amadon,
Weichert, REALTORS®,
Northeast Group
GCAR Directors (term expires)
Judy Rosen (12),
Judy Rosen Real
Estate
Janna Shillinglaw (12),
Keller Williams Capital
District
Jenny (Farrell)
Zigrosser (11),
Weichert, REALTORS®,
Northeast Group
NYSAR Directors (term expires)
Marie Bettini (12),
Albany Realty Group
Cathy Griffin (11),
Keller Williams
Capital District
Peter Staniels (12),
Weichert, REALTORS®,
Northeast Group
CRMLS Directors (term expires)
Jason Christiana (12),
Prudential Manor Homes
In This
Issue:
REALTOR® Honor Society 2009 - go to page 4!
DATED MATERIAL
Permit No. #164
Albany, NY
With The President .......................................................................... page 2
Member Update ............................................................................... page 2
GCAR Develops Brochure for Members ...................................... page 5
Greater Capital Association of REALTORS®
451 New Karner Road
Albany, New York 12205
PAID
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
2
Across the Association
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
With The President
challenges that come our way.
Last year brought many challenges
to all of us who proudly call ourselves
REALTORS®. I hope that you can look
at some of the positives as well and
go in to the new year with vigilance
and determination to make the dream
of homeownership a reality for your
clients and customers.
With thanks to our 2009 president
Sandy Nardoci, we are in the process
of redesigning the GCAR Website. The
new site will be user friendly and
loaded with helpful information for
you all.
2010
GCAR President
Laurene Curtin
Cheers to a New Year and another
chance for us to get it right!
- Oprah Winfrey
As I write my first column as your
president of GCAR I am looking forward to a year full of success for our
membership. Having a strong and
committed Leadership Team at my
side, our goal is to help each and every
one of you throughout the coming
year. Along with the dedicated staff
at GCAR, we are positioned to face any
And, again thanks to Sandy's neverending drive, our new Capital Region
Skinny and Housing Market Reports
are up on the GCAR website and will
give you quick access to the market
conditions in the Capital Region, helping you become the recognized real
estate expert within your sphere of
influence, These are two of the many
changes Sandy made in 2009 and I
personally thank her for all her hard
work. She has inspired me and those
around her to take our positions at
GCAR seriously and do all we can to
give our membership the tools you
need to succeed.
This year, according to the National
Association of REALTORS® Chief
Economist Lawrence Yun; “In all, 4.4
million Americans look to take advantage of the home buyer tax credit
before it expires by the middle of next
year. From the enactment in February
2009 through October, NAR estimates
1.8 million households would have
qualified to claim the first-time home
buyer tax credit. Now with the tax
credit deadline extended till the end
of June 2010 (for closings, with contracts signed by the end of April, 2010)
and also available to many move-up
buyers, an additional 2.6 million families will likely claim the home buyer
tax credit.”
Yun also speaks on interest rates
saying: On interest rates, the borrowing rate for a home purchase and refinance on a primary home has never
been lower than it is now. The average
rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage
was 4.8 percent in early December.
These indicators make me hopeful
that we will have a robust market in
the Capital Region in 2010.
Every day I get up and look through
the Forbes list of the richest people in
America. If I'm not there, I go to work.
- Robert Orben
Here's to hard work and success in
2010!
Member Update
Congratulations to the newly installed officers of the NYS Capital
Region Women’s Council of REALTORS® who were installed
December 3rd at the Saratoga National Golf Club:
President: REALTOR® Brooke Hackler, Robmar Realty
President-Elect: REALTOR® Jennifer Fortune Gras, Prudential Manor
Homes
VP of Membership: REALTOR® Marilyn Gibbons, Weichert,
REALTORS®, Northeast Group
Secretary: Daniela Bigalli, First Niagara Mortgage
Treasurer: REALTOR® Susan Dawkins, Robmar Realty
Sympathies are extended to:
REALTOR® Paula Gaies, Weichert REALTORS®, on the death of her mother Gladys
Benson.
Congratulations to:
Realty USA for being recognized by the Business Review as one of
the “Best Places To Work” in the Capital Region.
REALTOR® James Harder, Platform Realty, on the death of his mother Helen Harder.
REALTOR® Robert Sandberg, Jr., Coldwell BVanker Prime Properties, on the death of
his mother Viola Sandberg.
Congratulations to:
REALTOR® Marilyn Gibbons, Weichert, REALTORS®, Northeast Group,
on being awarded the ABR® (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) designation.
The family of past REALTOR® Garry Stevens, a past president of the Albany County
Board of REALTORS®, on his death.
The family of REALTOR® Gerrit Van Riper, Prudential Manor Homes, on his death.
Across the Association
The newspaper of the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS®, INC.
451 New Karner Road
Albany, New York 12205
(518) 464-0191 • Fax: (518) 464-0196
“The Greater Capital Association of REALTORS® is a professional
trade association which provides its members with programs
and services which enhance the members‘ ability to successfully
conduct their businesses in a competent and ethical manner,
promotes cooperation among its members, and promotes the
public‘s right to own, use and transfer real property.”
The voice for Real Estate in
New York‘s Capital Region.
Caring • Committed • Community-minded
Officers
President – Laurene Curtin
President Elect – Paul Semanek
Secretary/Treasurer – Nina Amadon
Chief Executive Officer – James Ader
Dir. Ed/Mbr. Svcs – Nancy Ruzzo
Directors
Jill Birdsall
Anne Carroll
Anthony Garufi
Jennifer Fortune-Gras
Cathy Griffin
Patricia Hamm
Joel Koval
Estelle Momrow
Sandra Nardoci
Albert Picchi
Judy Rosen
Janna Shillinglaw
Jenny Zigrosser
World Wide Web page: www.gcar.com
E-mail: support@gcar.com
Production & Printing:
Foley Publications, Inc. • (800) 628-6983
Graphic Designer:
Scott Arnold, Foley Publications, Inc.
Advertising Information:
Foley Publications, Inc. • (800) 628-6983
The Greater Capital Association of REALTORS® makes no
warranties and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy on the information contained herein. The opinions
expressed in articles are not necessarily the opinions of
the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS®.
The Greater Capital Association of REALTORS® does not
necessarily endorse the companies products or services
advertised in the newsletter unless specifically stated.
Across the Association
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
3
Young REALTORS® Committee 2010
Chair
Brooke Hackler
As 2010 Chair for the GCAR Young
REALTORS® Committee, I’m very excited about the upcoming year! I’d like
to take the opportunity to reach out
to REALTORS® under the age of 35 and
let you know that it is not too late to
get involved for 2010!
I’ve been fortunate to be a part
of this committee since it was created several years ago. Since its inception, our committee has sponsored
programs and networking events
designed for the younger members of
GCAR. Recently, we have opened up
many of our events to all of our GCAR
members in order to increase attendance and broaden the networking
possibilities. This past year, we sponsored a “Generational Differences”
program featuring renowned speaker,
Judi Clements. We also hosted Tom
Nardacci for “Back to Basics, Into the
Future” and a very well attended “Top
Producer Panel.”
STAFF DIRECTORY
GCAR STAFF
Tel: 518.464.0191
Fax: 518.464.0196
E-mail: support@gcar.com
Chief Executive Officer
James A. Ader (Ext. 16)
E-mail: jader@gcar.com
Director Education & Member Services
Nancy A. Ruzzo (Ext. 15)
E-mail: nruzzo@gcar.com
Assistant to the C.E.O. & Financial
Secretary
Huguette Bushey (Ext. 14)
E-mail: hbushey@gcar.com
Assistant Education & Member Services
Gina Martin (Ext. 10)
E-mail: gmartin@gcar.com
Administrative Assistant
Nancy Krebs (Ext. 11)
E-mail: nkrebs@gcar.com
CRMLS STAFF
Tel: 518.464.8913
Fax: 518.464.8915
Chief Administrator
James A. Ader (Ext. 16)
E-mail: jader@gcar.com
CRMLS Senior Administrative Assistant
Diane Hazzard (Ext. 19)
E-mail: dhazzard@crmls.com
CRMLS Administrative Assistant
Michele Miaski (Ext. 17)
E-mail: mmiaski@crmls.com
CIREB STAFF
Tel: 518.464.0194
Fax: 518.464.0196
CIREB Executive Assistant
Kelly Pierce (Ext. 12)
E-mail: kpierce@cireb.com
In 2010, we plan to sponsor our
3rd Annual GCAR REALTOR® Track Day,
hosted at the Saratoga Race Track.
This has historically been an incredibly
popular event, and we are hoping for it
to be our 3rd year as a Sold Out event!
Our committee has also had the privilege of working with the North East
Parent & Child Society for two years
in a row, to collect donations used
towards their Holiday Hope Project.
It’s been inspiring for our committee
members to work together with our
fellow REALTORS® and help out local
children and families in need.
We will be meeting in the early part
of the New Year to brainstorm and
design some exciting new programs
and networking events for 2010. As
a young REALTOR®, it is important to
get involved! Participation leads to
personal and professional growth and
will undoubtedly open doors and create new opportunities! I have spoken
with many of our seasoned agents
that have been in the business for a
long time, and the consensus is that
they wish they had gotten involved
at a younger age. The potential for
growth and development increases
exponentially the earlier in your career
you get involved! It is also important
in an industry such as ours, where
competition is the norm, to develop
positive relationships with your fellow
REALTORS®. I would like to encourage
you to get involved and see for yourself what a great experience working
as a team with your fellow REALTORS®
can be!
If you are interested in knowing
more about this committee or you
have an idea for a program/event that
you would like to see in 2010, please
contact Brooke Hackler at bhackler@
marini.com.
4
Across the Association
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
REALTORS®’ Honor Society - 2009
Membership in the REALTORS® Honor
Society is a means by which members of Greater Capital Association of
REALTORS® are recognized for their
contributions to organized real estate
at the local association, that is GCAR
level, and with the New York State and
National Associations of REALTORS®.
To be recognized as a member of
the REALTORS® Honor Society your
name must be submitted to the State
Association by your local association.
The submission process includes an
application on which points are awarded for a member’s involvement in:
- Association leadership capacities
- Committee activity
- Attendance at GCAR, NYSAR and
NAR meetings and/or conventions
- Participation in the Realtors
Political Action Committee
- and Continued participation in
educational programs
When completed that application
is sent to NYSAR’s Board Operations
Committee which, in turn, designates
those persons to receive the RHS recognition.
This year three GCAR members were so
recognized by NYSAR for their continuing
efforts on behalf of organized real estate.
Te award was presented at GCAR’s 2009
Annual Meeting of the Membership.
Those three REALTORS® are:
Marie Bettini, Albany Realty Group
Laurene Curtin, Albany Realty Group
Sandra Nardoci, Prudential Manor
Homes
Professional
Standards
Report
2009 NAR
Convention &
Trade Show
The following recommendations were
approved by NAR Board of Directors
at the recent National Association of
REALTORS® Convention in San Diego.
The recommendations came to the
Directors through the Professional
Standards Committee.
Empower Yourself
In 2010
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1. Standard of Practice 12-5 amended as follows (underscoring indicates
additions):
REALTORS® shall not advertise nor
permit any person employed by or
affiliated with them to advertise real
estate services or listed property in
any medium (e.g. electronically, print,
radio, television, etc.) without disclosing the name of that REALTOR®’s firm
in a reasonable and readily apparent
manner.
Rationale: Ensures that advertising
by real estate “teams” meets the Code
of Ethics’ “true picture” requirement by
ensuring that firm names are displayed
in a reasonable and readily apparent
manner.
2. A new Standard of Practice approved
related to Article 3 as follows:
REALTORS® shall not provide access
to listed property on terms other than
those established by the owner or the
listing broker.
Rationale: This new Standard of
Practice addresses misuse of lock boxes
and other concerns related to unauthorized access to listed property.
Across the Association
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
5
GCAR Develops Brochure For Members To
Promote Their Association Affiliation
GCAR’s Public Relations Committee
has developed a short “tri-fold” brochure for GCAR’s members to use
when discussing their potential professional relationship with clients or
customers.
The brochure is intended to help
point out why working with a GCAR
member is the best choice when
choosing a REALTOR®.
The brochure, which appears
below, is posted on www.gcar.com
for members to download and print
in their own offices. Take advantage of
your GCAR membership. Working with
a GCAR member is the logical choice
for any homebuyer or home seller.
Why Choose a GCAR Member?
Only real estate professionals
who are members of the National
Association of REALTORS® may call
themselves REALTORS®. And all members of the Greater Capital Association
of REALTORS® are REALTORS®.
united in purpose and dedicated to
providing knowledgeable and ethical
real estate services to consumers and
to fellow REALTORS®.
GCAR members adhere to a strict
Code of Ethics which is based on professionalism, service to the public,
and fair dealing with all parties to
the transaction.
Originally founded as a number
of local Boards of REALTORS®, some
as early as 1920, GCAR has grown to
a full service Association of real estate
professionals recognized by the general public, and business and government leaders, for its support of the
rights of private property owners and
the professionalism of its real estate
licensees.
Take a look at what GCAR is, what its
membership represents, and who the
professionals are who belong to GCAR
and we think you’ll choose a GCAR
REALTOR® member to handle the most
important transaction in your life.
History
The Greater Capital Association of
REALTORS® (GCAR) is a trade association of real estate licensees and other
professionals in related industries
Community Relations
GCAR has established a foundation, the GCAR Community Outreach
Fund. Funded by GCAR’s membership
the COF has contributed over $100,000
to not-for-profit organizations.
GCAR’s Community Relations
Committee helps GCAR members participate in the community through
giving both their time and financial
resources. Several of the organizations
which GCAR has assisted are the Make
A Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald
House, Living Resources, the Regional
Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and
Big Brothers Big Sisters.
GCAR and its members are caring,
committed, community- minded.
continued on page 8
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6
Across the Association
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
CRMLS Elects Officers
The Board of Directors of the Capital
Region Multiple Listing Service, Inc.
has elected its officers for 2010. The
leadership team will help guide CRMLS
through what promises to be a challenging year as they look to continue to
add services while the Capital Region
housing market looks to continue its
re-emergence from from a slow 2008
and somewhat better 2009; and in the
face of what is sure to be another drop
in the number of CRMLS participants.
Elected to serve in 2010 are:
President –
Peter Staniels, (GCAR)
Weichert, REALTORS®,
Northeast Group
Vice President –
Lorraine Schindler
(GCAR),
Lori Schindler Realty,
the 2009 vice president
elected to another term
Secretary –
Victoria Fobare (SSSAR),
Sterling Homes
Treasurer Laura Conrad (GCAR),
Purdy Realty elected to a second term.
Community Outreach Fund Donates
$15,000 In 2009
GCAR’s Community Outreach Fund, its 510 c (3) charitable
organizations has made donations totaling $15,000 during
its 2009 fiscal year. The COF is funded through the generosity of GCAR’s membership by way of the semi-annual dues
billing.
Umbrella of the Capital Region
This year the following local organizations received
funding through the COF:
Interfaith Partnership For The Homeless
Marillac Family Shelter
Wait House
Schenectady Home Furnishings Program
Saratoga Bridges
Northeast Parent & Child Society
Homeless & Traveler’s Aid Society
Albany Housing Coalition
YMCA Circle of Champs
Times Union Hope Fund
The current dues billing includes another opportunity
to have a $5.00 donation made to the COF. Let’s continue
to step up and support the charitable organizations of the
Capital Region.
Community Outreach Fund
In Action
The Making Strides For Breast Cancer
of New York
(l-r) Marie Bettini, Sandra Nardoci, Huguette Bushey, Charles Colehammer and Janna
Shillinglaw sport the GCAR colors at “Making Strides For Breast Cancer” in Albany’s
Washington Park.
The Great Pumpkin Challange
Phone: 888-223-5755
www.wnycommissionexpress.com
...in New York since 2002
GCAR, represented here by Susan Kiley, was a Monster Sponsor of the “Great Pumpkin
Challenge” in Saratoga Springs to benefit Saratoga Bridges.
Across the Association
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
7
Welcome New GCAR Members
REALTOR® (principal)
Bird Realty
Jeffrey Dickert
James M. McCarron,
Brenner Realty
Shayna Kudan
By Owner Realty, Berne
Jean C. Maloney,
21st Century Properties, Halfmoon
Danielle Neroni,
Clancy Real Estate
Cathryn M. Glass
Law Offices of Danielle Neroni, Albany
Lisa Simeone
Judith A. VanPatten,
Luther Forest Real Estate LLC, Saratoga Springs
Clark Realty
David S. Hornberger
Affiliate
Coldwell Banker Prime Properties
Stephanie Alant
Jacqueline Goralczyk,
Network Settlement Services, Clifton Park
Dustin Bessette
High Rock Realty, Inc.
Ronald Cipriano
Purdy Realty
Julie Scibelli
Keller Williams Distinctive Properties
Samantha Brown
Realty USA
Jonathan L. Gibson
Christopher Picard
Nilsa L. Mercedes
Keller Williams Capital District
Suzanne M. Duffy
Evan Gentile
James F. Marzano, Jr.
Adesso Realty.
Brian Mattiske
Nancy Otis
John Swedish
Alpha Omego Homes
Christine VanGarderen
Kristin Waters
Miranda Real Estate Group
Rebecca Burnett
Select Sothebys International Realty
Fred Waring III
Christine Prendergast
Fraida Varah Real Estate Group
Sherri L. Ceravolo
Pinnacle Realty Saratoga
Tracy Egan
Pamela J. DiBiase
REALTOR® (non-principal)
Linda Papa
Prudential Manor Homes
Kelly Brand
Vittoria Real Estate
Steven Bruno
Cathy Ann Mingo
Weichert Realtors Northeast Group
Margaret F. Altomer
Maria Perches
Frances Fusco
Kenneth P. Retell, Jr.
Linda Mazzariello
Exit Northway Realty
George Prevendoski
Syed M. Shahzad
GCAR Affiliate Members
Support Our Affiliate Members
As they Support Us
Trustco Bank
Times Union
TD Banknorth
This publication is seen by 3,000+
local members, to advertise call:
800.628.6983
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NYS Office of Real Property Services
Network Settlement Services
NBT Bank
HSBC Mortgage Network
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8
Across the Association
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
CIREB Corner
CIREB Member Elect New Leadership
CIREB members elected the following officers at its Annual Meeting of the
Membership in December:
REALTOR® James Conroy, Associate Broker, Prudential Blake Atlantic, President
REALTOR® Kevin Parisi, Principal Broker, Trinity Realty Group, Vice President;
and REALTOR® Peter McKee, Associate Broker, RE/MAX Premier, Secretary/
Treasurer. REALTOR® Paul Bulmer, Associate Broker, Vanguard Fine is 2010’s
Immediate Past President.
The membership also elected the following for Directors: Thomas Cairns,
Associate Broker, NAI Platform; Michael Crisafulli, Associate Broker, Crisafulli
Associates and Daniel Simpson, Associate Broker, CB Richard Ellis/Albany.
Congratulations!
2010 Marketing Sessions
James Conroy
The Thursday January 7, 2010 session will be hosted by British American.
Additional information can be found on our website.
CIREB holds its monthly marketing sessions on the first Thursday of each
month and are free to all CIREB members. Guests may attend these sessions at
a cost of $10.00 per person. If you would like to attend a marketing session or
join CIREB, please call Kelly Pierce @ 518-464-0194 or visit www.CIREB.com for
more information.
Welcome New Members
Broker Membership
Jean Maloney – 21st Century Properties, Mechanicville
Associate Membership
Dennis Brower – KW Commercial
Mary Kearney – Realty USA
James Marzano – Coldwell Banker Commercial
Michelle Valenti – Larkin Commercial.
N E W Y O R K S TAT E A S S O C I AT I O N O F R E A LT O R S ®
Affiliate Membership
First New York Federal – Represented by John Cotrofeld, Albany, NY
Education
January 29, 2010 – 7.5 Hours CE Credit – All about Leases. This course
will explore the many different types of commercial property leases and the
various issues that they need to cover. You will learn the terminology and key
clauses found in most leases and examine the entire leasing process. A perfect
refresher course for the experienced commercial broker or a great start for the
new commercial REALTOR®. Cost: $100.00 for CIREB members or $125.00 for
non-members. Fee includes breakfast and lunch.
CIREB hosts CCIM Courses in 2010
CI Intro March 8 & 9
CI 103 July 26-31
CI 104 September 20-25.
Registration should be made directly with CCIM – www.ccim.com
GCAR Develops Brochure For
Members
continued from page 5
Fair Housing
GCAR supports Fair Housing
Programs and distributes Fair Housing
material to its members and supports
the efforts of community groups in the
tri-cities and throughout the Capital
Region to ensure fair housing opportunity for all persons.
SECURE
AND PROTECT
YOUR INTERESTS
With NYSAR, you have a voice at the state Capitol.
Our 2010 legislative priorities include:
• Combating higher property taxes that threaten housing affordability.
• Improving anti-discrimination laws as they apply to cooperative
housing purchases.
• Creating an incentive to save for a first-time home purchase.
• Improving the affordability and accessibility of health care for
real estate professionals.
• Fighting legislation to increase wetlands oversight.
To get involved or for more information, contact us today.
Visit NYSAR.com
E-mail govt@nysar.com
Call 518.463.0300 x217
Access. Advocacy. Education.
Regional Growth
GCAR recognizes the importance of
supporting the continued marketing
of the Capital Region as a premier
place to live, to work, and to locate new
industries. GCAR is a major sponsor of
the Advancing TechValley Initiative and
has been hailed for its foresight and
commitment.
How A Realtor Can Help You:
A REALTOR® knows the current real
estate market and can help you set a
realistic and competive price.
A REALTOR® is familiar with the local
home loan market, knows if buyer
assistance is advisable and can help
you decide the type of financing that’s
best to expedite your purchase.
A REALTOR® knows how to add sales
appeal to your home at low or moderate cost.
A REALTOR® knows how to find prospective qualified buyers for your
home and knows where to find the
best home to suit the needs of your
family.
GCAR is also a member of many
local Chambers of Commerce and the
Center for Economic Growth.
A REALTOR® can tap an even larger
market, if necessary, through referrals
and internet marketing.
Choose A Professional –
A REALTOR® frees you from the
problems associated with showing
your home by handling all phone
inquires, setting up appointments and
attending open houses.
Choose A GCAR Member
GCAR recognizes that you have
choices when it comes to choosing a
REALTOR®. We ask that you consider
GCAR members, what they represent,
what they offer, and what they do for
the community and we’ll think you’ll
agree a GCAR member is your best
choice. You will be choosing a real
estate professional dedicated to protecting the rights of the buying and
selling public while maximizing the
opportunity for a successful real estate
transaction.
A REALTOR® will accompany the
buyer on all viewings of homes for
sale.
A REALTOR® maintains objectivity
in presenting offers and counter-offers
until an agreement is reached.
A REALTOR® can familiarize the
buyer or seller with closing procedures
by explaing them in advance.
A REALTOR® usually attends the
closing with you.