E-News

Home prices are showing signs of slowing to a healthier pace, according to the National Association of REALTORS’ (NAR) latest quarterly housing report. In fact, Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, said there is no question the housing market in the third quarter had its best quarter in nearly a decade. Click here to learn more.

In its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report of October 2015, RealtyTrac reported that New York State had 5,003 total foreclosures, an 18.93-percent drop from September, but a 19.23-percent increase from October 2014. Click here to learn more.

NAR and FHA have announced changes to FHA condominium approval policies aimed at increasing housing options for homebuyers. The new guidelines improve the condominium recertification process, modify burdensome owner-occupancy requirements and expand the types of property insurance that are considered acceptable coverage under FHA’s rules. Click here to learn more.

The Federal Housing Administration released its annual report to Congress on the financial condition of its Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund, which showed the fund’s reserve ratio exceeding the 2-percent threshold for the first time since 2008. Following NAR’s advocacy for cutting FHA annual mortgage insurance premiums, economic growth for the MMI Fund has improved, allowing FHA to expand credit access to borrowers. Click here to learn more.

Please take a minute and tell Congress to stop taking money from future homeowners by answering the latest Call for Action today! It’s important to tell your representatives to support House Bill H.R. 22 with the REALTOR-supported amendment, which removes an extension of higher Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee fees (g-fees). Take action now!

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will cover recent court and New York State Department of State decisions. Tune in at 10 a.m. this morning 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. Find more information as well as a list of links to play NYSAR Radio from any of your mobile devices here.

The early-bird discount for Registration PLUS at Triple Play has been extended! You can still register for Registration PLUS at the low price of $39, but there are only a limited number of seats available. Don’t miss out on guaranteed seating in specified CE sessions, private access to a café, and access to other sessions where seating is available. Register today at www.realtorstripleplay.com or you may be closed out!

Join NYSAR and Member Perks partner USI Affinity for a free, informative webinar this Thursday, Nov. 19, at 9:30 a.m. Learn about your 2016 health insurance options now so you can make an informed decision about your coverage. Click here to register now.

Enrollment for health insurance in 2016 is now open! USI Affinity’s dedicated sales representatives will 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. Shop the NYSAR exchange at http://www.myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar or call USI Affinity’s dedicated sales representative Ned Cox at 888.834.3713 for more information.

NYSAR’s newest Member Perks partner, Mailify, is an email marketing software application that helps you to create, send and track beautiful and effective email campaigns and newsletters. With mobile-responsive email templates specifically designed for real estate, live personal support and the best deliverability in the industry, Mailify will take your email marketing to the next level. Brokers can even setup a master account and give agents access to shared credits and templates. NYSAR members save 20 percent and your first 5,000 email credits are free with member code "NYSAR." Click here for more information.

Submit your bids for the Amazon Echo, a cloud-based voice service that instantly provides information, answers questions, plays music, reads the news, checks sports scores or the weather, and more. Bidding closes this Friday, Nov.20. Visit the RPAC page of NYSAR.com to learn more.

Hudson Gateway REALTORS will be returning to the Levity Live Comedy Club at the Palisades Center this Friday, Nov. 20, for the 2nd Annual RPAC Comedy Night. The event will feature the comedic talents of Saturday Night Live Alum Finesse Mitchell. Tickets to the event also include food and beverages. Contact Mary Prenon today for more information at (914) 681-0833 x3022 or Mary.Prenon@hgar.com.