E-News

The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) will be launching a member-wide Call for Action today, Tuesday, November 19, asking Congress to bring the "Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act" to the floor for immediate consideration and a vote in each chamber. This legislation would delay flood insurance rate increases for certain properties until the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) completes the congressionally mandated study of flood insurance rate affordability. Please respond to this Call for Action when you receive it. For additional information on the flood insurance issue, click here.

In its U.S. Foreclosures Market Report for October 2013, RealtyTrac Inc. reported New York State had 3,741 total foreclosures, a 5.96-percent decrease from September but an increase of 2.55 percent from October 2012. 

Click here to learn more.

REALTORS have added gender identity to the Code of Ethics, demonstrating their all-inclusive support of ensuring fair housing opportunities. This follows a resolution in 2011 to add sexual orientation to the Code.

Click here to learn more.

New legislation now requires all homeowners receiving a Basic STAR exemption to register with the New York State Tax Department in order to receive the exemption in 2014 and subsequent years. Homeowners will not have to register in order to receive their 2013 STAR exemptions and will not have to re-register every year. Based on the information provided in the registration process, the Tax Department will monitor homeowners’ eligibility in future years. Registration began on August 19, 2013 and will continue through December 31, 2013. Click here to register.

The Tuesday, December 17, NYSAR Radio show will take a look back at legal issues in 2013. Tune in at 10 a.m. on December 17 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.

With the new advertising regulations going into effect January 2, 2014, now is the time to make sure you’re clear about what’s required of you. Don’t miss part two of the webinar series presented by NYSAR Director of Legal Services Anthony Gatto, Esq. This webinar will build on the information covered in part one and apply it to new items found in the new regulations, such as electronic communications, websites/social media, the use of logos and teams, etc. 

To register for part two tomorrow, Wednesday, November 20, click here.

By popular demand, the online pre-registration deadline for Triple Play 2013 been extended until Monday, December 2, at 11:59 p.m. EST. This means you have two extra weeks to pre-register for Triple Play as a whole, take advantage of Registration Plus, and pre-register for a pre-convention designation course.

Click here to learn more or to register today.

Take advantage of NYSAR’s newest Member Perks partner, Taxbot, to keep more of your commissions through tax deductions! The Taxbot mobile app offers you the ability to track business mileage and expenses with your iPhone or Android smartphone or tablet and turn those expenses into IRS compliant tax deductions.

Click here to learn more.

NYSAR's compliance partner, PossibleNOW, makes Do-Not-Call compliance easy. With DNCQuickcheck you can instantly verify phone numbers, access compliance training, generate reports for safe harbor defense assistance and much more. Individual accounts pay just $10/month (a 50-percent savings) or cover unlimited agents in one office for $100/month. To subscribe, visit www1.dncquickcheck.com or call 800.585.4888 and use member code SC1477NY.

When in Atlantic City...do as the high rollers do and enjoy all of the city’s pleasures in one location: the RPAC High Rollers' Suite on Wednesday, December 11, 2013! Amenities include: shoe shine; manicures; massages; professional photographs; blackjack and roulette lessons by one of Atlantic City’s renowned card dealers; business facilities; hot lunch; beverages; and a deluxe coffee barista. New this year, we are also offering a "barista pass" to take advantage of just the coffee barista for a $15 RPAC investment. 

Click here to learn more.