NAR Chief Economist Tells HGAR Gathering That Multiple Rate Cuts Are on the Horizon
In terms of existing home sales, NAR now expects a 3% increase in 2025 as compared to 2025, while it anticipates a 14% jump in existing sales in 2026 as compared to this year.
RPAC Luncheon Highlighted Need for Advocacy, Leadership and Action at HGAR Impact Conference
Mayor Patterson-Howard’s vision for Mount Vernon and beyond aligns closely with HGAR’s mission—to advocate for strong, vibrant communities where opportunity and homeownership are within reach for all.
BREAKING NEWS: MGM Empire City Casino Project Secures Needed CAC Approval
With the 5-0 CAC affirmative vote, the Yonkers project now advances for full consideration with the New York State Gaming Location Board.
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Latest
NAR: What a Government Shutdown Means for Realtors
HUD has a contingency plan that keeps many housing programs alive, though often in a reduced capacity, while others face serious disruption.
GUEST VIEWPOINT: NAR President: ‘As Realtors, it’s Critical to Remember Who We Serve’
Our industry represents one-fifth of US GDP. It drives economic growth and enables millions of Americans to build intergenerational wealth. However, too many in the industry think they are the economic engine and wealth creator—they aren’t.
Four Proposals, Including MGM Empire City in Yonkers, Vie for Up to Three Full Downstate Casino Licenses
The $8-billion Metropolitan Park casino project to be developed adjacent to Citi Field in Queens by billionaire New York Mets owner Steve Cohen advanced today thanks to a unanimous 6-0 vote by its CAC.
U.S. Pending Home Sales Rose Nearly 4% in August While Northeast Pending Deals Fell Slightly
Lower mortgage rates are enabling more homebuyers to go under contract.
Now There are Two: CAC Approves $5.5 Billion Resorts World New York City Project in Queens
The Resorts World New York City proposal features a 5.6 million-square-foot integrated resort that will allow for 6,000 slot machines, 800 gaming tables, 2,000 hotel rooms, a 7,000-seat arena, over 7,000 parking spaces and over 30 food and beverage outlets.
GUEST VIEWPOINT: Breathing New Life into Downtowns: Converting Offices into Residential Spaces
When a building sits empty, it not only blights the landscape but also erodes a community’s tax base.
Legal-Advocacy
NYC Realtor Coalition Secures Nearly $100,000 to Educate Voters on Ballot Question 3
HGAR is collaborating with the Long Island Board of Realtors, the Brooklyn-Queens Board of Realtors, and the Staten Island Board of Realtors, to form one of the largest Realtor coalitions in New York City.
The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act: A New Era of Privacy for Homebuyers
HPPA makes several pivotal legal changes governing when, how, and to whom credit reports may be shared in the mortgage and insurance context.
HGAR at the NYSAR Fall Business Meetings
For HGAR, participation at Turning Stone reflects our commitment to being a leader in these conversations.
A New Tool for Realtor Advocacy: The Pro-Property Platform
NAR has now launched the Pro-Property Platform, a system designed to strengthen federal political advocacy by allowing direct-to-candidate contributions to be tagged as pro-housing and pro-property rights.
Market
U.S. Pending Home Sales Rose Nearly 4% in August While Northeast Pending Deals Fell Slightly
Lower mortgage rates are enabling more homebuyers to go under contract.
Existing-Home Sales Fell 0.2%; New Home Sales Soared Nearly 21% in August
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in August was 6.59%, according to Freddie Mac, down from 6.72% in July and 6.50% one year ago.
NAR Survey Finds Realtors Embrace AI and Digital Tools to Enhance Client Service
Two out of three agents either agree (38%) or strongly agree (29%) that their brokerage provides all the tech tools they need.
NY Metro Housing Market Shows Steady Momentum Amid Regional Price Swings
Month-over-month comparisons revealed significant regional variation. Sullivan County led the surge with a 16.4% jump in median home prices, followed by Putnam County with an 11.3% increase.
News
Four Proposals, Including MGM Empire City in Yonkers, Vie for Up to Three Full Downstate Casino Licenses
The $8-billion Metropolitan Park casino project to be developed adjacent to Citi Field in Queens by billionaire New York Mets owner Steve Cohen advanced today thanks to a unanimous 6-0 vote by its CAC.
U.S. Pending Home Sales Rose Nearly 4% in August While Northeast Pending Deals Fell Slightly
Lower mortgage rates are enabling more homebuyers to go under contract.
Now There are Two: CAC Approves $5.5 Billion Resorts World New York City Project in Queens
The Resorts World New York City proposal features a 5.6 million-square-foot integrated resort that will allow for 6,000 slot machines, 800 gaming tables, 2,000 hotel rooms, a 7,000-seat arena, over 7,000 parking spaces and over 30 food and beverage outlets.
Existing-Home Sales Fell 0.2%; New Home Sales Soared Nearly 21% in August
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in August was 6.59%, according to Freddie Mac, down from 6.72% in July and 6.50% one year ago.
Viewpoints
GUEST VIEWPOINT: NAR President: ‘As Realtors, it’s Critical to Remember Who We Serve’
Our industry represents one-fifth of US GDP. It drives economic growth and enables millions of Americans to build intergenerational wealth. However, too many in the industry think they are the economic engine and wealth creator—they aren’t.
GUEST VIEWPOINT: Breathing New Life into Downtowns: Converting Offices into Residential Spaces
When a building sits empty, it not only blights the landscape but also erodes a community’s tax base.
GUEST VIEWPOINT: Promise Kept: +320 Acres of Open Space Preserved in Rockland
We are exploring the creation of a new county park and expanded trail connections on this site, so families can directly benefit from this investment in our quality of life.
GUEST VIEWPOINT: Tourism as an Economic Engine: Building Jobs, Investment and Global Appeal in the Hudson Valley
Tourism is not an optional add-on to regional strategy—it is a foundational industry that creates jobs, attracts investment and pays for the public services the region’s residents value.
People
HGAR President Vlora Sejdi Named to 2026 NAR Leadership Academy Class
The 20 NAR members selected will participate in a diverse range of educational experiences as they join a nationwide community of volunteer leaders.
NAR Appoints Andowah Newton as Vice President, Litigation and Associate General Counsel
Newton brings a unique blend of legal acumen and industry insight during a critical time of transformation for NAR and its members.
Vincent Caiola Returns to Houlihan Lawrence
An award-winning agent licensed in New York and Connecticut, Caiola has closed more than $15 million in sales
From Teen Mom to Transformative Author: Realtor Kenyatta Jones-Arietta’s New Book ‘Iron Love’ Launches July 11
The book launch will kick off with a celebration at the historic Nyack Bath House on Friday, July 11, followed by a multi-city East Coast book tour.