Manhattan Association of Realtors elects officers.

Cynthia Crowley, Director of Relocation for Olshan Realty, was elected 2004 President of the Manhattan Association of REALTORS[R] (MANAR) at the organization's recent annual membership meeting at the CitiGroup Conference Center.

Crowley, MANAR's third elected president, will serve a one-year term, and succeeds 2003 President Jeff Wolk, Co-principal of Fenwick-Keats.

Other elected 2004 officers include: Leonard Bayer, Goodstein Realty NYC, Vice President/President Elect; William Morris Hunt, Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy, Treasurer; and Esther Muller, On-Site Realty, Secretary. Robert Eychner, Eycher Associates and Stephen Nardoni, Nardoni Realty Inc. were elected as Directors to serve three-year terms on the MANAR Board. Continuing on the board are Klara Madlin, Klara Madlin Real Estate; Fredrick Wohlfarth, Wohlfarth & Associates; Jeff Wolk, Fenwick Keats, 2003 President; and David Michonski, Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy, Founding President. They will be installed on January 8, 2004 at MANAR's Inaugural dinner.

Many of the newly elected officers will be traveling to San Francisco on November 7 to attend the 2003 National Association of REALTORS Conference & Expo. More than 25,000 real estate professionals from more than 50 countries will be in attendance, making the it the leading real estate conference in the world.

President-elect Crowley spoke of the "tremendous progress that has been made on behalf of REALTORs and their clients, at the state, national and international levels." She emphasized the distinction of the REALTOR title, which aligns MANAR members with national and state associations. "That affiliation," she explained, "gives us the opportunity to promote and lobby on behalf of important issues, such as the Commission Protection Act, a strong new safeguard for our brokers and agents." Crowley also predicted tremendous growth in MANAR membership and scope of services in the coming year.

Wolk, who chaired the event, reiterated "MANAR's commitment to providing tools and opportunities, which will continue to benefit consumers and the entire real estate industry in New York City." He also spoke of the recent influx of new agents in the local market, "which makes education even more paramount," and wear on to explain how nationally recognized designations such as CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist), GRI(Graduate REALTOR[R] Institute), and CRS(Certified Residential Specialist), give the REALTOR a significant competitive edge.

David Michonski, President of the Manhattan MLS. Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Manhattan Association of REALTORS, updated the members and guests on the success of the MLS and demonstrated the enhancements that have been developed over the past year. Leza VanBeuren, of REALTOR.com, showed features of the newly revamped site, which makes it even more user-friendly to New York buyers and sellers.

September usage statistics showed that MANAR member's listings received an astounding 1.35 million page views, thanks in part to REALTOR.com's ability to reach beyond the local market to national and international buyers. Overall, REALTOR.com has more than five million site visits per month with over 34 million page views.

Members were also briefed by Edward I. Sumber, Counsel for the Association on the impact of the "Do Not Call" legislation that took effect October 1 of this year. Melissa Cohn, President of Manhattan Mortgage reported on the current conditions in the mortgage market.