GSAR Hot News - Sign up today for GSAR's discounted CE packages to earn CE credits and save

Top Headlines for May 14

Registration is now open for all of GSAR's 22.5-hour continuing education packages being offered at a discounted member rate of $90, down from $240. The packages are being offered in June, July, September, October and November. GSAR designed this program to help all members meet their CE requirements including those who may have been previously exempt from CE requirements.

Designed with every schedule in mind, some of the packages will be offered on nights and weekends, while others will be offered during business hours.

Classes will be delivered virtually via Zoom, but a limited number of members will have the option to take the virtual classes in the GSAR office. These spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating will be spaced to meet current guidelines. Please note that the office is not fully open. There will also be a few classes with an in-person instructor. The non-member rate is $270, down from $405.

Learn more and register at cnyrealtor.com/CEpackages.

Judge vacates CDC’s eviction ban; appeal results in a temporary stay

A U.S. District Court judge for the District of Columbia ruled last Wednesday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s nationwide eviction moratorium is unlawful, striking down the ban and delivering relief to housing providers who haven’t been able to collect rent from struggling tenants for more than a year. But the struggle for housing providers isn't over. The U.S. Department of Justice immediately filed an appeal, and on Wednesday night, the D.C. District Court issued a temporary stay, meaning the CDC eviction moratorium remains in place across the country pending another hearing. The court will have a hearing in the next two weeks on the DOJ’s motion, and the temporary stay will remain in effect at least until that decision is issued. Read more.

May 24 T3 webinar to focus on drone photos and videos

GSAR's T3 webinar, Drone Photos and Videos for Real Estate, on May 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. will cover what real estate professionals will need to know to do their own drone photography and how to hire the right professional.

This introductory course will cover some of the key rules the FAA is enforcing, a basic understanding of drone technology, and what it takes to make and save drone photos and videos.Register here by 4 p.m. on May 23.

Thank you to our sponsor Tompkins Trust.

Buyers remain eager, expect prices to rise

Competition in the housing market is fierce and it’s prompting home prices to rise quickly, but that doesn’t appear to be deterring some home buyers. A slim majority of 53% of Americans believe it’s still a good time to buy, according to a new Gallup survey of about 1,000 U.S. adults released this week. Seventy-one percent of Americans believe that home prices are going to increase over the next year in their local market, the highest reading since Gallup began tracking such data.Read more.

MLS Tips

AuthentiSign is getting a makeover

You may have seen the notice when accessing Instanet Forms that a new version of AuthentiSign was coming. As of Wednesday, the updated AuthentiSign 2.0, which is fast and very intuitive, is now active. You will be able to toggle between the new 2.0 (Beta) version and the Classic version during the summer. We encourage you to try out the new version and save time as this new version loads pages more quickly.

A few of the improved functionalities include:

Faster load times.
Updated look and feel - signing boxes in different colors for each signer.
Ability to add forms, documents, contacts in one place.
Ability to save messages sent with signing document.
Easily delete, rotate and order documents and pages.

CNYIS adds a disclaimer to escalation addendum

In response to the robust real estate market, the CNYIS board of directors has added a disclaimer to the escalation addendum that is offered through InstanetForms. The additional language is to make sure buyers are aware they are disclosing a potentially higher price than what they are initially offering in the contract to purchase.

Education

Don't miss this June class

Killer House You Have There!

Instructor: Mike Smith

June 8 from 9 a.m. to noon

This course is an overview of common environmental issues that one might find in residential properties and can affect the real estate transaction. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to distinguish challenges for sellers and/or buyers that may affect financing, marketability, and usefulness of the affected property due to unresolved issues. You will learn which appropriate inspections can be recommended prior to taking remedial action and the risk-reducing best practices that will shorten marketing time for sellers, provide smoother transactions for buyers, and reduce liability for all parties..3 hours CE. Register here.

Upcoming virtual continuing education

• Killer House You Have There!

Instructor: Mike Smith

June 8 from 9 a.m. to noon

Upcoming virtual Matrix classes

May 26:

Introduction to Matrix 1 at 9 a.m.

Introduction to Matrix 2 at 11 a.m.

Matrix 2: Customization and Auto Emails at 1:30 p.m.

Education links

Weekly webinars and classes weekly calendar on members' side of cnyrealtor.com

Attention REALTOR members! Your NAR Code of Ethics training cycle is coming to an end on December 21, 2021. Please remember to email your Ethics Certificates to [email protected] if you’ve taken the class already.