E-News

The 2014 NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings kicked off Sunday at the Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Albany. Last night, the 2014 NYSAR Leadership Team was inaugurated. Today’s General Session will feature the State of the Association address from NYSAR President JP Endres, 2014 NAR President Steve Brown, the keynote address by Alex Sheen, and the presentation of the 2013 RPAC awards.

Click here to learn more.

For single-family, including distressed, homes, New York showed a 9.6-percent increase in home price appreciation for the year, according to CoreLogic’s December Home Price Index Report. Excluding distressed homes, New York rose 10.2 percent for 2013.

Click here to learn more.

Join us today, Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 10:30 a.m., for the Legislative Policy Forum during the Mid-Winter Business Meetings at the Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Albany. NYSAR is hosting a panel discussion on the legislative priorities, concerns and goals of several key statewide associations including the New York State Association of Counties, the New York State Conference of Mayors and the New York State School Boards Association.

Westchester County executive Rob Astorino has moved closer to becoming the potential Republican candidate for governor this year, challenging incumbent Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Astorino has formed an exploratory committee, which will allow him to raise money for a gubernatorial campaign per state law. Other potential, but undeclared, Republican candidates include Donald Trump and Carl Paladino. Astorino is expected to formally declare his candidacy in the coming weeks.

Last week, the US Senate voted 68-32 to pass the $956 billion farm bill that President Barack Obama is expected to sign in the coming days. Of interest to REALTORS is a section extending the definition of the term "rural" for eligibility in rural housing programs. 

Click here to learn more.

The NYSAR Legal Update will be held during the Mid-Winter Business Meetings tomorrow, February 12, from 8 – 9 a.m., at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, in Albany, NY. NYSAR Director of Legal Services Anthony Gatto, Esq. will provide an update on current legal issues affecting the real estate industry and NYSAR members. This session is open to all meeting attendees.

Click here to learn more.

The February 18, NYSAR Radio show will take a look at recent court and New York State Department of State decisions. Tune in at 10 a.m. on February 18 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.

Did you know one blood donation can save or sustain up to three lives? Due to the recent winter storms, the American Red Cross is in urgent need of blood donations. Stop by the YPN Blood Drive tomorrow, Wednesday, February 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Desmond to check appointment availability and volunteer to make a difference. Click here for more information on donating blood.

The MANAR Global Symposium will be attended by more than 300 global real estate industry leaders, practitioners and international investors. Enhance your understanding of how international buyers are changing the face of New York real estate. For more information and to register, visit http://manarrealtor.com/global2014/.

REALTOR Institute 401 – "Get it Listed...Get it Sold"– will be offered on February 18-19 at Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in White Plains, NY. This course teaches you new methods of marketing and how to integrate technology into your business to increase your listings, sales and profits. 

Click here for more information or to register.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 12, all meeting attendees are invited to the Health Insurance Update in High Street 26 at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany. Sean Ireland, senior account relations manager at USI Affinity, will provide an update on the Affordable Care Act and how it affects REALTORS. The options available through the NYSAR/USI Affinity partnership will also be covered. The session will conclude with a brief Q&A session. Can’t attend the meetings? USI Affinity is always available to answer your questions on health care by calling 888.834.3713.

If you haven’t planned to do so already, plan to take a break from your hectic meeting schedule by attending the RPAC VIP Lounge, open today, 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. Walk-ins welcome with a new $250 RPAC investment or pledge! 

Click here to learn more.