Back to Newsroom
Back to Newsroom

New York Real Estate, Public Policy Experts Share Tips for Navigating Political Landscape

Thursday, 28 October 2021 03:50 PM

Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors

HGAR and OneKey® MLS host panel on the importance of political advocacy and engagement for real estate success

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 28, 2021 / What current political issues are causing a ripple in the real estate industry? How can professionals stay informed and aware, both now and moving forward? Real estate experts and a leading public policy strategist discussed the value of political engagement for real estate professionals at a virtual panel Oct. 21 hosted by the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, Inc. (HGAR) and OneKey® MLS.

"Getting the Deal Done - The Importance of Politics in New York Real Estate" featured Jonathan Greenspun, Managing Director, Mercury Public Affairs, a public strategy firm in NYC; Elizabeth-Ann Stribling-Kivlan, Senior Managing Director: Real Estate, Compass, NYC; and Richard Haggerty, CEO, Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, and President and Chief Strategic Growth Officer of OneKey® MLS, the regional multiple listing service for New York.

"We cannot stay on the sidelines," said Haggerty. "We cannot just complain about things after the fact. We have to be proactive and address these issues as they are being debated. And, we also can't be silos - there's strength in numbers."

The discussion was moderated by Brian D. Tormey, NTP, President of TitleVest, a leading New York City-based provider of title insurance and related real estate services. The hour-long session identified current and pending measures and bills, including the Good Cause Eviction bill, the push to repeal section 421, rent regulations, and co-op transparency legislation.

The panel emphasized the importance of knowing what's going on in the political arena, and how it can directly impact industry-wide success and longevity. "If you find yourself checking out of politics, you'll find yourself being regulated out the door," said Greenspun.

Stribling-Kivlan put the power of awareness into perspective with her recollection of 2019's Intro 1423, the City Council bill aimed to cap all residential brokerage commission fees at one month's rent. Hundreds of brokers and real estate personnel protested at City Hall, which ultimately lead to the bill's defeat. "You have to stand up for what protects our industry, what's right for the consumer. We all have a voice. Your voice is very powerful," she said, encouraging everyone to get out and vote.

Haggerty encourages real estate professionals to take their involvement one step further and foster conversations with elected officials. "You'd be surprised at how open the politicians are - as long as you are engaged and know your issues and aren't complaining. Just as real estate is local, politics is local as well."

Stribling-Kivlan recommends small, actionable efforts to get a pulse on the political sphere. "Start going to your primaries. Watch any legislation that impacts your right to make an income. Start making comments. That's the beauty of democracy."

View the webinar here.

"Getting the Deal Done" is part of the "Be Your Best" webinar series created by HGAR and OneKey® MLS, to help Realtors and agents navigate a changing landscape amid the pandemic. The event was sponsored by TitleVest.

About OneKey® MLS

OneKey® MLS has 44,000-plus subscribers and serves Manhattan, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Orange, Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. It was formed in 2018 by the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors and the Long Island Board of Realtors.

About Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors®

The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (www.hgar.com) is a not-for-profit trade association representing more than 13,000 real estate professionals in Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange counties. It is the second-largest Realtor association in New York, and one of the largest in the U.S.

Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, Thursday, October 28, 2021, Press release picture

Clockwise, from top left: Brian Tormey, NTP, President, TitleVest; Richard Haggerty, CEO of HGAR and President and Chief Strategic Growth Officer of OneKey® MLS; Jonathan Greenspun, Managing Director, Mercury Public Affairs; and Elizabeth-Ann Stribling-Kivlan, Senior Managing Director: Real Estate, Compass.

Photo by John Vecchiolla Photography.

For more additional resources for political advocacy and information, visit:

https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator

https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/

https://www.mygovnyc.org/

Media Contact:
Christie Clements
Co-Communications
[email protected]

SOURCE: Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors

Topic:
Company Update
Back to newsroom
Back to Newsroom
Share by: