RVP Update – Jan/Feb

Happy New Year, GCAR! I have the honor of representing you as the New York State Association of REALTORS® 2019 Regional Vice President for the Capital Region.

For those of you who don’t know me: I’ve been a REALTOR® for 34 years, getting my start back in 1984 in Southern California. I’ve been back in the Capital District since 1997 when I joined RealtyUSA (now Howard Hanna Real Estate Services) as a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker. I’ve been active in GCAR and MLS throughout my time here, serving as CRMLS President in 2009 and GCAR President in 2017. I’ve also served on the board of directors for both NYSAR and NAR.

As your RVP, my goal is to ensure members receive full value from GCAR’s partnership with NYSAR. NYSAR membership provides many benefits, including education, discounted services, legal assistance, technical assistance and, most importantly, political advocacy:

• When Albany County attempted to pass a law in 2018 that would require fire sprinklers in all newly constructed homes, NYSAR stepped up with a strong ad campaign designed to inform the public how this new law would affect them. At the time of this writing, the proposed bill has been withdrawn by its sponsor, saving buyers of new homes in Albany County thousands of dollars!
• A few years back, when state legislators proposed a law that would have restricted real estate agents to conducting sales ONLY in the counties where their offices are located, it was NYSAR and the members who rallied behind the effort who defeated that legislation.
• For 2019, with support from realtor members across the state, we are hopeful that Governor Cuomo will sign the NY First Home bill, a proposal first championed by NYSAR in 2016. The bill would allow first-time homebuyers to start savings accounts that would make them eligible for state income tax deductions — up to $10,000 a year for a couple putting away money earmarked for the purchase of their first home.

The strength of NYSAR’s 55,000+ members gives us the ability to have our voices heard. Each year NYSAR organizes Lobby Day, an opportunity to meet with state senators and assembly members on proposed legislation that has a direct effect on property rights and the business of real estate in New York. Armed with info NYSAR provides us, GCAR members meet face to face with lawmakers to express our points of view. If you’ve never joined us at a Lobby Day, you should consider coming on May 7th. It’s powerful!

Please feel free to contact me during the course of the year with any questions or concerns pertaining to your membership in NYSAR. If you become aware of local laws or ordinances that would negatively impact your business or property rights in your community, please let me know so I can take it up with our new Government Affairs Field Rep, Connor Gillis.

I look forward to serving you.
Joel Koval
2019 NYSAR RVP