Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS®
Precisely e-Newsletter
July 20, 2015
In This Issue:
  • Association Updates:  2015-2016 Dues Billing, Email Scams, Next MLS Input Needed, Live Well Work Well, RPAC Events, TKP 2015, Accustat Report
  • In Memoriam: Paul Mance, David Teske, Lexi Laborie
  • Industry Advocacy: NSR Call For Action, Lobby Day 2015, NYS Legislative ReCap
AssociationUpdatesAssociation Updates

GRAR MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT YET PAID 2016 MEMBERSHIP DUES HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED FROM THE MLS  

A late fee of $50 has been assessed and a re-activation charge of $100 will be applied 

EMAIL SCAMS TARGETING REALTORS®
NAR is reporting that in recent months, real estate professionals have reported an upswing in a particular wire scam. A hacker will break into a real estate professional's email account to obtain information about upcoming transactions. After monitoring the account to determine the likely timing of a close, the hacker will send an email to the buyer, posing either as the title company representative or as the licensee. The fraudulent email will contain new wiring instructions or routing information, and will request that the buyer send transaction-related funds accordingly.

NEXT MLS SYSTEM: YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED NOW
As previously announced, the New York State Alliance of MLSs (NYSAMLSs, which GENRIS is founding member of) is getting ready to begin the implementation process to migrate to our next generation MLS system.  Our team is starting work soon in anticipation of delivering a new MLS system in early 2016.  This month is when your input about any field changes or report changes we would like to see in the new Matrix system can be considered for inclusion on that system.  Please send any field or report suggestions to GRAR Help Desk as soon as possible (no later than July 25) to be considered for our Matrix system.

LIVE WELL WORK WELL: July 2015
View the latest edition of Bene-Care's wellness newsletter here

2nd ANNUAL RPAC SUMMER PICNIC
THU | Aug. 20 | 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Harris Whalen Park, 2126 Penfield Road, Penfield, NY (located across the street from Wegmans' Penfield store)
Food provided by Susie Roe Grill & Catering
Tickets are $15 for adults; $5 for kids under 12
Special Family Rate $35 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children under 12)
Click Here for a registration form. Sponsorships Available. For more information, contact Diane Russi
at drussi@grar.net or 585-341-2122

RPAC FALL EUCHRE TOURNAMENT
THU | Sep. 17 | 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Hidden Valley, 199 Hidden Valley Road, Rochester, NY 14624
Tickets are $20
Click Here for a registration form. Sponsorships Available. For more information, contact Diane Russi at drussi@grar.net or 585-341-2122

TechKNOWPalooza 2015
WED | Sep. 30 | 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Rochester
The GRAR Technology Committee along with the Premium Mortgage invite you to join us for a day of technology based learning, with sessions presented by industry experts focusing on the latest trends in social media, mobile technology, online video, tech tools, and much more.    New AND EXCITING Regional speakers and topics this year.   
BRING YOUR USED/UNWANTED COMPUTERS TO RECYCLE!
EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE FOR $35!

ACCUSTAT REPORT: July 2015

Accustat is a service offered by REALTOR® Dick Beers available solely for the use of GRAR Members and is not intended for public distribution. This report does not reflect the views of the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS®. If you are interested in receiving the newsletter, please contact Dick at accustat@rochester.rr.com

INMEMORIAMIn Memoriam

Paul Mance, REALTOR®   At Rest ~ June 25, 2015

David Teske, REALTOR®  At Rest ~  July 5, 2015

Lexie LaBorie, REALTOR®  At Rest ~  July 11, 2015 

IndustryAdvocacyIndustry Advocacy
NAR CALL FOR ACTION: SUPPORT THE INNOVATION ACT
Tell your U.S. Representative to support H.R. 9, the Innovation Act to stop patent trolls and protect the real estate industry from frivolous lawsuits.  REALTORS® across the country receive threatening demand letters and lawsuits alleging patent infringement based on the use of common business tools such as drop down menus or search alert functions on websites and the scanner function on a copier. These patent trolls buy vague patents and use them to turn everyday business practices into potential lawsuits. Congress must pass this common-sense comprehensive patent litigation reform to protect Main Street businesses and REALTORS® from patent troll abuse.  TAKE ACTION HERE

NYS EXTENDS PROPERTY TAX CAP

The New York State Senate and Assembly passed legislation (A.8323/S.6012) that extends the property tax cap for four more years. It includes a couple minor technical amendments and provides a four-year, $3.1 billion property tax rebate program for homeowners who qualify for a STAR exemption. NYSAR played a significant role in passing the tax cap in 2011 and kept the pressure on legislators this year to extend its benefits for homeowners.
Click here for information on what you can do to help make the voice of REALTORS® heard.

2015 NYS LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY

This legislative session will go down in history as one of the most tumultuous with the leaders of both the state Senate and Assembly stepping down amid federal charges. Senator John Flanagan was elected majority leader of the Senate and Assemblyman Carl Heastie was elected speaker of the Assembly. Although the Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo faced multiple challenges, state government got back to work and approved a budget after a minor delay.  View NYSAR's 2015 legislative summary.

DISCLOSURE:
RATES OF COMMISSIONS AND OTHER FEES FOR THE SALE, EXCHANGE, RENTAL, LEASE, MANAGEMENT, OR MORTGAGE OF REAL ESTATE SHALL BE NEGOTIABLE BETWEEN A BROKER AND HIS/HER CLIENT.