E-News

Utica-Rome, NY claimed the title of the most affordable smaller market on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index for the first time, while Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY was also at the top of the affordability chart for the second quarter. Nationwide housing affordability slipped several notches as recovering markets witnessed significant firming of home prices in the second quarter.

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The National Association of REALTORS recently released an update about REALTOR.com covering the recent vote in Chicago, what it means for the website, and how upcoming changes will further strengthen REALTOR.com’s commitment to the membership and the REALTOR brand.

Click here to download the report.

In its first opinion of 2013, the New York State Board of Elections held that endorsements of political candidates for office constitutes "express advocacy" as defined in Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1 (1976), and would therefore require the endorsing organization to register as a political committee under New York State Election Law.

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Today’s NYSAR Radio show will take a look at electronic signatures one year after they became legal in New York State. Tune in at 10 a.m. this morning on your PC or Mac by using the player on the NYSAR Radio page. You will need to be logged in to listen. If you have not yet created your account with the website, you will need to click on "New User" on the Member Login page and follow the prompts.

Click here for more information as well as a list of links to play NYSAR Radio from any of your mobile devices.

The NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation will be raffling off a prize worth more than $1,200! The winner will enjoy a two night stay at The Lodge at Turning Stone as well as a complimentary round of golf for two or spa treatments at Skana worth $210. And to top it off, the winner will receive a $200 American Express gift card to use during their stay. The winner will be announced during the Board of Directors meeting at the Fall Business Meetings. A special thanks to our generous sponsor, The Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Some restrictions apply. Click here for a flyer with full details.

"Global Real Estate: Local Markets" and "Global Real Estate: Transaction Tools" – Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) courses – will be offered September 11 and 12, respectively, at the REALTOR Service Center in Woodbury, NY. The CIPS designation gives you the knowledge and expertise to conduct business with those from other countries and cultures.  

Click here for more information or to register.

Short Sales and Foreclosures (SFR) – "What Real Estate Professionals Need to Know" will be offered September 12 at the Dutchess County Association of REALTORS in Poughkeepsie, NY. This course will provide you with the framework for understanding how to: qualify sellers for short sales; develop a short sale package; negotiate with lenders; tap into buyer demand; safeguard commissions; limit risk; and protect buyers.

Click here for more information or to register.

The New York State Association of REALTORSwill hold its annual Fall Business Meetings from September 29 to October 2 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. NYSAR encourages all members to participate as many of the sessions do not require official committee service.

For more information or to register for the meetings, click here.

NYSAR’s exclusive partner for errors and omissions insurance, Pearl Insurance offers you comprehensive and affordable coverage customized to fit your needs. Their program, underwritten by XL Insurance, includes innovative features such as: deductible reduction; open house coverage; environmental failure to advise; innocent partner protection; and public relations advisory services.

For more details or a customized quote, call 800.289.8170 or visit www.pearlinsurance.com/nysar.

NYSAR’s professional insurance broker, USI Affinity, is partnered with Long Term Care Resources to offer you the choice of three long-term care insurance carriers: Mutual of Omaha, John Hancock and Prudential. Not only do you have the choice of carriers, you also have the flexibility to choose from a variety of plan options to find the plan and pricing best suited to your needs. For more information or a customized quote, call Ned Cox, NYSAR’s dedicated sales representative, at 888.834.3713 x18626 or visit www.myrealtorinsurance.com/NYSAR.

Register now for RPAC’s "Monday Night Fever – A Flashback to the 1970s" fundraising event, happening Monday, September 30, from 7-11 p.m. at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY. Tickets cost $50 each and will be applied toward your 2013 RPAC investment total. Click here for more information.

Join your colleagues from across the Metro region for an elite RPAC experience at Modell’s Clubhouse at Citi Field for the New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals game on Tuesday, September 10. The RPAC experience at Modell’s includes: a ticket to the game and private access to the Modell’s Clubhouse; the ballpark buffet; and private bar service with complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks. *This RPAC event is open to the members of NYSAR’s Metropolitan Region including: Bronx-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan and Staten Island. 

For complete details and registration instructions, click here.