E-News

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended its original 2015 deadline to issue final rules for small commercial drones by two years. A final ruling is now not expected until 2017. The National Association of REALTORS has instructed members to not use drones or hire photographers or videographers who use drones for capturing aerial images of listings until the FAA issues its final guidelines. Those who continue to use drones may be fined.
For more information, click here.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed into law NYSAR-supported S.5693(Zeldin)/ A.7979(Lavine), which amends §442 of the Real Property Law titled "Splitting Commissions" to explicitly state that nothing shall prohibit a broker from offering any part of a fee, commission, or other compensation received by the broker to the seller, buyer, landlord or tenant as an incentive for using the services of that broker. Click here to learn more.

The New York statewide median home sales price rose slightly in November, while the year-to-date median price remained at the 2013 level, according to the housing market report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS. Year-to-date sales are trailing the same period last year by only 2.3 percent, despite a 7.9-percent slowdown in November. Click here to read more and view the latest market report.

The United States Senate adjourned on December 16, marking the formal end of the 113^th Congress. Congress enacted a series of tax extensions including the "Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act," which is now headed to President Barack Obama’s desk for signature into law. Shockingly, the United States Senate failed to renew the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA). This alarming failure to act before adjournment could stall commercial real estate development around the country. Click here to learn more.

Acting New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker has stated that he would not recommend hydraulic fracturing in New York. The announcement came during a meeting of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s cabinet on Wednesday December 17. Zucker pointed out that he does not believe the long-term effects of hydro fracturing are fully conclusive. Click here to read more.

On December 17, 2014, the New York State Gaming Commission’s Casino Siting Board announced that it has approved three casino licenses for upstate New York.  In the Capital District region, the River’s Casino and Resort to be located in Schenectady was selected by the board.  In the Catskills/Lower Hudson Valley region, the second license was given to Montreign Casino and Resort located in the town of Thompson, Sullivan County.  The last award was given to the Lago Resort in the Southern Tier Region, which will be located in the town of Tyre, Seneca County.  The commission had the option of awarding at least two other licenses in these upstate regions, but chose not to at this time.

The fourth quarter edition of NYSAR’s Legal Lines publication is now available online at NYSAR.com. This edition covers key issues including the enactment of the broker rebate bill and the sprinkler disclosure requirement for residential leases.  It also covers a New York State law prohibiting eavesdropping on showings and a court ruling that a broker was liable for inaccurate information provided by the seller. Several key federal cases including a broker being found liable for giving misleading tax advice are also covered.

Click here to read the latest issue.

The Tuesday, January 6, NYSAR Radio show will take a look at common real estate-related myths. Tune in at 10 a.m. on January 6 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.

The NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings will be held February 9-12, 2015 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.

The Instructor Training Institute (ITI) will be offered January 27-29 at the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS office in Albany, NY. This three-day intensive program will help you develop or enhance your skills as an instructor. You’ll learn how to deliver information in the most meaningful ways to meet the needs of a diverse audience.

Click here for more information or to register. 

NYSAR’s newest Member Perks partner, Taradel, is an approved affiliate of the U.S. Postal Service’s Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM®) program. Through this partnership, NYSAR members receive a 5-percent discount to design, target, print and mail marketing pieces to every address in a specific zip code or carrier route. Forget buying mailing lists and printing labels, get started with Every Door Direct Mail®today. Click here to access the exclusive NYSAR EDDM®member portal. 

Enrollment for health insurance in 2015 is now open. It will close on February 15, 2015. Look to NYSAR Member Perks partner USI Affinity to help you navigate the plan options and find the coverage that best suits your needs. Remember, you will face tax penalties if you do not obtain coverage. Also, if you miss open enrollment, you will not be able to obtain health insurance until the next open enrollment period unless you qualify for a special enrollment. For more information, visit www.myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar.