Several US Senators have introduced the "Homeownership Affordability Act of 2011." This bill would extend the loan limits for FHA, the GSEs, and VA through December 31, 2013. Lowering these limits would make it difficult for many Americans to purchase a home. Click here to learn more.

In its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for July 2011, RealtyTrac Inc. reported New York State had 2,225 total foreclosures, a decrease of 17.29 percent from June and a decrease of 36.66 percent from July 2010. New York State ranked number 45 of all 50 states for monthly total foreclosure filings. Click here to learn more.

Quinnipiac University released the results of three polls last week which indicate voters in New York City support the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) tax. The poll also showed New York State voters support drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale region of the state by a 47-42 percent margin. Also, 76 percent of voters described Gov. Andrew Cuomo as "good." Click here to learn more.

According to the latest poll by the Siena Research Institute, Democrat David Weprin leads Republican Robert Turner 48 to 42 percent in the special election for New York's 9^th Congressional District seat. Click here to learn more.

The topic of the August 23 NYSAR Radio show is up to you, NYSAR members! Click here to complete a one-question poll and lock in your vote for the topic of the show. And, be sure to listen in on August 23 at 10 a.m. to find out what topic was the most requested.

NYSAR Director of Legal Services Anthony Gatto, Esq. will present "Seller's Agency: An In-depth Review" on Thursday, August 18, at 2:30 p.m. This webinar will review the statutes, rules or laws applicable to seller representation. It is part one of a comprehensive three-part series focusing on different agency relationships. Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 409 – "Equal and Ethical Service for Today's Consumer" – will be offered August 24 and 25 at the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS office in Rochester, NY. This course fulfills the Code of Ethics training requirement for REALTOR members and the new fair housing training requirement for New York State licensees. Click here for more information or to register.

The NYSAR Fall Business Meetings will be held September 11-14, 2011 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. Committee meetings, the fourth annual "REALTORS Got Talent" event, the Association Update and more will be featured. Click here for more information or to register.

NYSAR's partnership with MongoFAX gives you free access to their fax-to-email service, which allows you to fax any paper-based document directly to any email address. Click here to learn more.

The August RPAC silent auction item is a set of two Klean Kanteen water bottles. Bids must be placed by August 31 at 11:59 p.m. Click here to learn more.

RPAC of NY will be hosting its fourth annual "REALTORS Got Talent" fundraising event on Monday, September 12, and is seeking acts and items for auction. Click here to learn more.

The Long Island Board of REALTORS, the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS, the Westchester Putnam Association of REALTORS and the Chautauqua County Board of REALTORS have RPAC events in the coming weeks. Click here to learn more.

On behalf of New York's 51,000 REALTORS, RPAC of New York thanks the 2011 major donors for making an investment in RPAC. Click here to learn more.