E-News

The document released by the FAA, dated June 14, 2014, can be found on NYSAR.com by clicking here. Click here to learn more.

In its May 2014 U.S. Residential & Foreclosures Sales Report, RealtyTrac Inc. reported that New York State residential properties sold at an estimated annualized pace of 160,966 in May, up 0.37 percent from April and up 5.4 percent from one year ago. The median sales price for New York was $348,450 in May, a 2-percent increase from April and up 28 percent from a year ago.

Click here to learn more.

The New York City Council approved a $75 billion operating budget late last week with a vote of 50-0. The spending plan reflects a 7-percent increase over last year. In recent months, the city council added $236 million in new initiatives including $18 million for daycare programs and vouchers, $10.9 million for CUNY scholarships, $4.9 million to hire lawyers for immigrants facing deportation, monies for 200 more police officers on the street, and free lunch for all middle school students.

The city fiscal year begins today, July 1. Click here for more information on the budget.

The state Senate’s Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) announced last week that it intends to form a new coalition with the mainline Democrats for the 2015-16 legislative session. According to a joint press release issued by Senate IDC leader Senator Jeff Klein and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the new Senate coalition will mirror the current IDC-Republican majority coalition. Both Senator Klein and Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins would each have to sign off on bills before they could come to the floor for a vote.

Click here to learn more.

The New York City Council has issued a study and press release supporting the use of eminent domain to take underwater mortgages. Under the proposed plan, city government would purchase the mortgages from banks and refinance them to match the home's value in an attempt to prevent foreclosure. NYSAR and NAR are strongly opposed to this proposal. 

Click here to learn more.

The Tuesday, July 8, NYSAR Radio show will cover antitrust issues. Tune in at 10 a.m. on July 8 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.

Get involved and help guide the future of your state association by signing up for 2015 committee service. Committee sign up will be available online only between July 1 and July 31 at NYSAR.com.

Click here to learn more and to sign up.

REALTOR Institute 405 – "Construction & Environmental Issues" – will be offered July 14 at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in Goshen, NY. This course provides an in-depth understanding of the physical structure and systems in a home, in addition to energy efficiency and energy rating systems.

Click here for more information or to register.

"Global Real Estate: Local Markets," a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) course, will be offered July 16 at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in White Plains, NY. This course will show you how to connect with foreign buyers and uncover global opportunities in your local market.

Click here for more information or to register.

This is your final chance to enroll in NYSAR’s dental plan with optional vision rider for your insurance needs. After July 31, you will have to wait until next summer to enroll. Key benefits of United Concordia dental plan include: options to offer you a range in coverage and cost; lower rates with a two-year guarantee; orthodontia coverage; and more. New in 2014, the optional vision rider, administered by Davis Vision, includes: an annual vision exam; annual allowance for glasses or contacts; discounts on disposable contact lenses and laser vision correction; and more.

For more information about the plans and rates, please call 888-834-3713 or visit www.myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar.

Thank you NYSAR CEO Duncan MacKenzie for submitting the high bid of $701 on the June RPAC auction item, the outside fire pit. Thank you Duncan for your commitment to RPAC as a Golden R and President’s Circle investor and as a member of the RPAC of New York Hall of Fame. Stay tuned for the July RPAC auction item, to be announced after the July 4 holiday!

The summer fundraising season is in full swing! Find out which boards across the state are busy holding RPAC fundraising events in the coming weeks and months byclicking here.