Building Knowledge

What Building Owners, Managers and Homeowners can expect regarding Energy Costs for the upcoming harsh weather of fall and winter was the topic of this episode of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” Dan Singer, President of Robison - a well-known energy company that is based in Port Chester in Westchester County in New York State - was the guest. Dan was a regular guest on the former radio shows of The Building and Realty Institute (BRI). Topics discussed during the segment included: 1) Heating Oil Prices for Building Owners and Managers, and for Consumers, for the late fall and winter of 2024-25; 2)

Natural Gas Prices for Building Owners and Managers, and for Consumers, for the late fall and winter of 2024-25; 3) Energy Saving Practices for the Heating Season; 4) A discussion on how Energy Prices vary in different regions of the U.S. and the effects of those differences; 5) Dan Singer’s overall energy concerns for the New York Metropolitan Area, and for the U.S., regarding the weeks and months ahead; 6) How current world events are impacting the Energy Sector; 7) What Building Owners and Managers, and Homeowners, need to remember regarding Preventative Maintenance Processes for the Heating Season.

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This episode of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” focused on the new rules affecting the residential real estate market. Christina DiMinno, an Associate Broker with Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty, was the guest. Christina DiMinno is with the Bronxville office of Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty in Westchester County in New York State. The topics that were discussed during the segment included: 1) The longtime guidelines for residential real estate that were commonly used prior to the recent implementation of the new rules that now govern the residential real estate sector; 2) What promoted the recent implementation of the new rules; 3) When the new rules were implemented, and the specifics of the new rules; 4) How Realtors across the U.S. prepared for the new rules by attending extensive Training Sessions; 5) How consumers are adapting to the new rules; 6) The condition of the residential real estate market in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State during the third quarter; 7) The current feelings of prospective buyers and sellers; 8) The biggest challenges currently affecting the residential real estate market of the Hudson Valley Region of New York State.

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A certification program for members of the building, realty and construction industries, as well as for members of the general business community, was the topic of this segment of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” The certification, which is provided by a company known as Circularly, results in businesses being designated as “a Certified B Corporation.” Casey Plasker, the Founder and Owner of Circularly, was this episode’s guest. She explained the significance of the certification and its importance to businesses. Other topics discussed on the segment included: 1) The certification offering a designation to businesses that cites that companies taking the certification program meet a high standard of performance, accountability and transparency; 2) How the certification is available to all businesses, regardless of their respective sizes; and 3) How businesses can obtain full information on the certification. Casey Plasker also reviewed her thoughts on the biggest challenges currently facing the business community of the Hudson Valley Region of New York State, as well as what makes her upbeat for the region’s business sector.

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How to Deal With Troublesome Employees” was the topic of Episode 37 of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” Matthew Persanis, Labor Counsel to the Building and Realty Institute (BRI), was the guest. Matthew Persanis is also a principal of Elefante and Persanis, LLP, a well-known law firm that is based in Eastchester in Westchester County in New York State. He is a regular guest on “Building Knowledge.” Topics covered during the segment included: 1) The importance of Employers documenting situations involving Troublesome Employees; 2) Processes involved for Employers regarding the dismissals of Union and Non-Union Employees; 3) What Arbitrators look for from Employers in Dismissal Scenarios; 4) What “Write-Ups” from Employers about Troublesome Employees should contain; 5) The importance of Employers having representation at hearings regarding Troublesome Employees.

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This segment of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” reviewed some of the key topics affecting New York State Employers. Our guest was Matthew Persanis, Labor Counsel to the Building and Realty Institute (BRI), and a principal of Elefante and Persanis, LLP, a well-known law firm that is based in Eastchester in Westchester County in New York State. The topics discussed on the show included: 1) The mandate that requires all N.Y. State Employers to provide their Employees with Sexual Harassment Prevention Training on an annual basis; 2) The mandate stating that Employers in New York State must develop and provide their Employees with a Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy; 3) A discussion on whether Building Services Workers in multi-family buildings and complexes are still conducting their extra Cleaning and Disinfecting Routines in response to concerns over the Variants of COVID-19; 4) The challenges currently facing New York State Employers of Building Services Workers; 5) The challenges currently facing New York State Employers of workers involved in the Building and Construction Sectors; 6) The continuing Labor Shortages  facing Employers who are involved in the Building and Construction Sectors; 7) Suggestions to New York State Employers on the handling of troublesome Employees.

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Another analysis of frequently-asked questions from Boards of Directors of Co-ops and Condos on Co-op and Condo Procedures was the topic of this segment of “BuildingKnowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” The questions for this episode are from inquiries that the Cooperative and Condominium Advisory Council (CCAC) of The Building and Realty Institute (BRI) receives on a regular basis. The topic was featured on Episode Five of our series. That episode received positive responses and produced requests for this segment. Daniel Finger, Esq., an attorney with Finger and Finger, A Professional Corporation, was the guest for this episode. Daniel Finger was a regular guest on the former radio shows of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI). He was also the guest on Episode Five of our series. This segment provided answers to a series of complex questions, including: 1) How fines can be used by a Co-op’s Board of Directors to enforce House Rules and to address violations of the Proprietary Lease; 2) What Boards of Directors of Condos can do regarding fines to enforce House Rules; 3) Can Boards of Directors of Co-ops and Condos ban E-Bikes at their respective properties due to concerns over fire hazards?; 4) A member of a Board of Directors of a Co-op or Condo suddenly resigns - does the Board have to replace the member immediately?; 5) The Board of Directors of a Co-op or Condo has to raise its Monthly Maintenance Payments (for Co-ops), or its Common Charges (for Condos). What are the best methods to do that?; 6) A Board of Directors of a Co-op or Condo receives complaints about a noisy neighbor. What should the Board do;? 7) A Co-op or Condo Board would like to declare its building, or complex, as “A Smoke-Free Building/Complex.” How does that happen?; 8) The Corporate Transparency Act and how it affects  Co-ops and Condos.

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This segment of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” focused on Key Marketing Tips for Businesses. How businesses should adjust their Marketing and Advertising Strategies if a Recession should hit was covered during the show. The program also thoroughly reviewed how businesses should adjust their Marketing and Advertising Processes during the upcoming Holiday Season. Michael Dardano, the principal of The Buzz Potential, a well-known Marketing and Public Relations company based in Tuckahoe in Westchester County in New York State, was the guest. Michael is a regular guest on “Building Knowledge.” He was also a regular guest on the former radio shows of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI). Other topics covered in the segment were: 1) How significantly businesses should adjust their Marketing and Advertising Strategies in response to a Recession; 2) What the “Must-Keep Marketing and Advertising Strategies” are for businesses during a Recession; 3) The importance of Customer Success Stories as an important component of Marketing and Advertising Strategies during a Recession; 4) A discussion on whether businesses should adopt a “wait-and-see approach” on their Advertising and Marketing Initiatives until the presidential election is over; 5) The current feelings of representatives of the business community in the New York metropolitan area regarding the region’s business climate.

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What is currently happening with the economy, and what the current economic situation means to businesses and to individuals, were the topics covered in this episode of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” Dr. Robert Goodman, a well-known Economic Analyst, was the guest. Dr. Goodman was a regular contributor to the former radio shows of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI). He is a former Consultant for Putnam Investments. While with Putnam, he was a member of the company's Business Advisory Group, a panel of experts on Economic, Business and Personal Financial Topics. Dr. Goodman has appeared frequently on The Cable News Network (CNN) and has been a regular Guest Host on CNBC's “Squawk Box.” Dr. Goodman was the Chief Economist with J.&W. Seligman & Co. between 1972 and 1989. He has also been an Economist at Citibank and the Federal Reserve Bank of N.Y. Topics covered during the segment included: 1) The recent turbulent times on Wall Street; 2) Fears that the U.S. Economy is in much worse shape than previously believed; 3) If a Recession is inevitable; 4) The eventual effects of the Federal Reserve lowering Interest Rates; 5) The effects of current economic conditions on the business community; 6) What Investors should, and should not do, in the weeks and months ahead; 7) The effects of the Presidential Race on the economy.

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This episode of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” addresses two topics – “What Owners & Managers Should Do To Prepare Their Buildings or Complexes for Winter” and “Year-Round Preventative Maintenance Processes That Owners & Managers Should Follow.” Robert Ferrara, a Board Member of The Advisory Council of Managing Agents (ACMA) of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI), also known as ACMA, was the guest. ACMA is composed of more than 25 of the leading property management firms in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State. Robert Ferrara is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Ferrara Management Group, Inc., which is based in Bedford Hills in Westchester County in New York State. The company also has offices in New York City and in Armonk, New York. Summer is the time of year when Owners and Managers of Multifamily Buildings and Complexes, and Commercial Buildings, began preparing those facilities for the winter weather that is ahead. Accordingly, the topics reviewed during the segment included: 1) Preventative Maintenance Checks that should be conducted in order to prepare Buildings and Complexes for Winter; 2) What should be looked for regarding the Exterior Sections of a building or complex; 3) What should be looked for regarding the Interior Sections of a building or complex; 4) What processes should be conducted in the summer months in order to prepare those Exterior and Interior Areas for Winter; 5) Weatherizing Multifamily Properties and Commercial Facilities in preparation for Winter; 6) The regular inspections of Heat Sources; 7) What processes should be conducted in the summer months so that HVAC Systems will be ready for Winter; 8) How areas with Amenities, such as Pools, Decks and Sky Lounges, can be winterized; 9) How Parking Garages and Parking Lots can be prepared for the Winter months; 10) Year-Round Preventative Maintenance Processes that Owners and Managers should follow; 11) The biggest challenges currently facing New York metro area Owners and Managers of Multifamily Buildings and Complexes, as well as Commercial Facilities.

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Reports On Key Hudson Valley Issues” was the topic of this segment of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” Three recently released reports on critical issues affecting the Hudson Valley Region of New York State were thoroughly reviewed during the episode. The reports are from Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, a well-known organization in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State. Adam Bosch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, was the guest. The studies reviewed were: 1) The “Out of Reach 2024” report, an analysis that addresses rental housing and wage data for the Hudson Valley Region of New York State. The report cites that those across the Hudson Valley Region of New York State have struggled through a deepening crisis of housing availability and affordability for many years. The study cites that the trend is continuing to afflict Tenants across a wide spectrum of incomes. It stresses that working tenants are struggling even more in 2024 as their wages have dipped and the cost of typical rents increased yet again. It also emphasizes that homeownership remains out of reach for most households in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State; 2) The “2024 Moving In, Moving Out” report, an analysis that examines the effects of domestic migration on populations and regional incomes in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State; 3) The “Closed Schools, Open Minds Report.” The study reviews processes that will bring new life to shuttered schools in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State. The analysis provides examples of Adaptive Re-Use Projects that brought new life to old schools. It provides a review of situations where communities in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State have transformed old school buildings into community centers and event spaces, housing, art galleries, training centers, and mixed-use hubs where people live and work.

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