GREATER ROCHESTER ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® RELEASES YEAR-END
STATISTICS

ROCHESTER, NY – January 25, 2010 –The Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS®
(GRAR) released its year-end statistics for 2009.

When compared to 2008, overall year-end activity remained relatively stable, with total sales slightly
down 1.3 percent. Pending sales were up at 2.3 percent. Median home prices decreased a mere 0.9
percent, from $117,000 in 2008 to $116,000 in 2009.

“Although sales in 2009 reflected a slight decrease over 2008, we still considered it as a somewhat
sturdy market,” remarked Ryan Tucholski, GRAR’s chief executive officer.

“We feel that we weathered the worst of the storm,” stated Carolyn Stiffler, GRAR board president.
“We are looking forward to a strong second quarter, with April being the month that I expect to carry the
quarter, in part because of the extension and expansion of the tax credit.”

Federal legislation not only extended the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, but also included
an expansion to included current homeowners who are selling their home and who may be eligible to
receive a $6,500 tax credit for the purchase of another principal residence. In order to qualify,
homeowners must have used the home sold as a principal residence, consecutively for 5 of the previous
8 years. There are additional eligibility requirements that apply for first-time homebuyers and current
homeowners. Both must have a written binding contract to purchase by April 30, 2010, which is when
the tax credit expires. The purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close.

Significant increases in sales were realized specifically in Chili, which showed a 21.2 percent increase
and Wheatland, with a gain of 89.7 percent. Sales in the city of Rochester decreased 7 percent, but
showed a 14 percent increase in the median sales price.

The results cover the city of Rochester, all Monroe County towns and villages, and Genesee, Livingston,
Ontario, Orleans, and Wayne Counties.

GRAR will continue to support the local residential real estate industry through its Time2Buy marketing
campaign, which focuses on the benefits of owning a home and using the services of a REALTOR®
when buying and selling a home.

Next week I will be flying to Washington, DC for the National Association of Realtors Midyear meetings.  This will be my 7^th consecutive year going to these meetings, the first five years, as the New Your State CRS President or officer and the last two years, as an officer with the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors.

My earlier blog referenced the increased focus one gets prior to going to a convention or event and the increase in sales activity that happens.  Each year as I approach these meetings, my business picks up and it gets really crazy, but I go because I have responsibilities and committee work, not to mention the airline tickets and reservations at the hotel that have been paid for.

So what is it? Fun or Learning?

It is actually both!  Each year as May rolls around, I get excited thinking about seeing my Realtor friends across the country in DC and spending some time socializing with them.  But it’s not all fun, to spend time with them is actually networking and building a referral base for future business.

Then of course, there are the meetings and breakout sessions that are instructional and educational!  Some of the nations top Realtors and instructors participate in forums and roundtables to better prepare us for the changes in the marketplace or nuances in the business, as well as challenge us to become better professionals at what we do!

Maybe you can see why the NAR Midyear meetings are on my calendar every year and that they are both Fun and Learning!