E-News

Closed sales of residential properties in New York State reached a six-year-high total of 107,142 during 2013, according to the annual housing market report released by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The 2013 annual median sales price of $227,000 is the highest since 2008.

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Please take action today by calling Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to urge them to support the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act takes the crucial first step of delaying further implementation of some rate increases contained in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) reauthorization known as the Biggert-Waters Law (BW12).

REALTORS must speak loudly and clearly with one voice to ensure this bill moves forward.Please call now and urge your senators to pass the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act.

In its December and Year-End 2013 U.S. Residential & Foreclosure Sales Report, RealtyTrac Inc. reported that New York State residential properties sold at an estimated annualized pace of 143,824 in December, increasing 1 percent from November and rising 3 percent from December 2012. 

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On Tuesday, January 21, Gov. Andrew Cuomo presented his proposed 2014-2015 Executive Budget. The budget proposal totals $137 billion dollars and limits spending growth to two percent. The governor’s spending plan contains several real-estate-related initiatives including a proposal to freeze property taxes and reduce title insurance costs. The state Legislature will next hold joint budget hearings and deliberate the components of the budget with the hope of reaching an agreement prior to the April 1 deadline.

To read more on the 2014-2015 budget proposal, click here.

NYSAR is actively working on the legislation below in the New York State Legislature:
• Expanded Agriculture Disclosure Notice (A.1393 – Gunther/S.3860 - Ranzenhoefer). To view NYSAR’s Memorandum in Opposition, click here.
• Private Well Testing Act (A.1040 – Jaffee). To view NYSAR’s full Memorandum in Opposition, click here.

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The Tuesday, February 4, NYSAR Radio show will preview the NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings. Tune in at 10 a.m. on February 4 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.

Give a gift that can help save a life by participating in the NYSAR Young Professionals Network’s American Red Cross Blood Drive being held in conjunction with the NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings on Wednesday, February 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Appointments are scheduled in 15 minute increments and are encouraged to avoid long wait times. To make your appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code "NYSARAlbany." Or, email Director of Marketing Kristen Pooler at kpooler@nysar.com with your availability.

REALTOR Institute 409 – "Equal and Ethical Service" – will be offered February 5-6 at the Ithaca Board of REALTORS in Ithaca, NY. This course fulfills the Code of Ethics training requirement for REALTOR membership and the fair housing training requirement for NYS license renewal.  

Click here for more information or to register.

The NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings will be held February 10-13, 2014 at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany, NY. The meetings will feature committee meetings, inaugural dinner, the General Session and more. Click here for more information or to register.

TransUnion SmartMove is an easy, comprehensive and reliable web-based tenant background check offering access to a full credit report, criminal report, customized leasing recommendations and suggested deposit amount to request at lease signing. The trusted brand’s process is all online and you pay only when you use it with no set-up, minimum or annual fees. 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.

Be sure to save the date of Tuesday, February 11, from 2 – 3:30 p.m. for the General Session at the NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings at the Desmond. During this time, the RPAC awards ceremony will recognize local boards for their 2013 RPAC achievements in fundraising and participation. In addition, RPAC of New York will induct two new members to the RPAC of New York Hall of Fame and present the prestigious Lawrence B. Caldwell RPAC Service Award.

Congratulations to our January RPAC auction winner Miguel Berger from the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS! Miguel submitted the high bid of $550 for the Coach bag, guaranteed to make the lady in his life very happy. Thank you Miguel for investing in RPAC at the Major Investor level for many years.