E-News

All homeowners receiving a Basic STAR exemption must register with the New York State Tax Department by the end of the day today, December 31, in order to receive the exemption in 2014 and subsequent years. Homeowners 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.

Click here to register.

The fourth quarter edition of NYSAR's Legal Lines publication is now available online at NYSAR.com. This issue covers key issues including legal and regulatory guidelines for operating teams, and the latest New York State Bar Association opinion regarding the handling of seller concessions. Federal cases include improper eviction  and fair housing lawsuits.  

Click here to read the issue.

Pending home sales posted a slight gain in November, according to the National Association of REALTORS. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, inched up 0.2 percent to 101.7 in November from a downwardly revised 101.5 in October, but is 1.6 percent below November 2012 when it was 103.3. 

The PHSI in the Northeast declined 2.7 percent to 82.6 in November, but is 1.9 percent above a year ago.

 

Click here to learn more. 

The results of a NYSAR-supported poll were released to the media last week.  The poll of registered voters in two northern New York counties found that 61 percent of respondents expressed support for the Adirondack Club and Resort (ACR) project in Tupper Lake, NY.  The project is currently being held up in the court system, and is opposed by several environmental groups.  NYSAR, via its REALTORS Advocacy Committee and the ADK Works campaign, continues to draw attention to the project and its positive economic development potential, while balancing environmental concerns. Click here to read the Albany Times Union story on the poll and its findings.  

For more information about the ADK Works campaign, click here.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is slated to deliver his annual State of the State address in Albany on Wednesday, January 8.  Traditionally, this is an opportunity for New York’s governor to highlight past successes and bring attention to their priorities for the upcoming legislative session.   To view Governor Cuomo’s 1:30 p.m. address on January 8, click here.

The Tuesday, January 7, NYSAR Radio show will cover advertising. Tune in at 10 a.m. on January 7 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.

Gain a full understanding of ethics and arbitration hearings, enforcement procedures and disciplinary guidelines during the 2014 Code of Ethics and Professional Standards Procedures Training. The Code of Ethics and recent changes adopted by NAR’s Board of Directors and Delegate Body will also be covered. In addition to 6 hours of CE credit, this course also satisfies NAR’s mandatory ethics training requirement. 

Click here for the schedule and registration form. 

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. 

The NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings are right around the corner! If you haven’t planned to do so already, plan to take a break from the hectic meeting schedule by attending the RPAC VIP Lounge on Tuesday, February 11. Back by popular demand, the lounge will again be open from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. and will feature breakfast, gourmet hot lunch, manicures, professional photographer, massages, cable TV, computers, printer, phone chargers and more. Admission is a $250 RPAC investment. 

For complete details and to register, click here.