In its 2011 year-end foreclosure market report, which reports default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions, RealtyTrac Inc. reported New York State had 26,100 total foreclosures in 2010, a decrease of 40.56 percent from 2010. New York State also had the longest average foreclosure process time in the nation during the fourth quarter. Click here to learn more.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced last week that his office will use $1 million from a settlement to fund legal help for New York homeowners in foreclosure or facing an imminent threat of foreclosure. Click here to learn more.

The New York State Real Estate Education Foundation is currently accepting applications for the newly created Next Generation Scholarship. This fund will award scholarships to the next generation of real estate professionals for higher education. Eligibility is limited to relatives of active NYSAR members living in New York State. The application deadline is March 1. Click here to learn more.

Using data from the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), Credit Sesame is reporting that New York State accounts for 3 percent of all real estate purchases by foreign buyers in the country. When you consider that 39 other states combined only equal 17 percent, New York State's number is significant. Click here to learn more.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called special elections to fill five vacant legislative seats, which will coincide with village elections on Tuesday, March 20, 2012. The vacant seats include one Senate seat and four Assembly seats. Click here to learn more.

There were several bills introduced last week in the state Legislature that NYSAR is actively opposing. Click here to see the legislative summaries along with NYSAR's Memorandums in Opposition.

According to a new report from the state comptroller's office, more than 70 percent of local governments adopted budgets last year that stayed within the 2-percent property tax cap. The review of 798 municipalities found that 43 inappropriately exceeded the cap without the required override vote, but 10 made subsequent corrections that saved taxpayers from being improperly billed.

Click here to read the entire Government Affairs Weekly Report.

The NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings will be held February 13-16, 2012 at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany, NY. The meetings will feature committee meetings, the inaugural dinner, the Association Update and more. Click here for more information or to register.

NYSAR's Code of Ethics and Professional Standards Training will be offered January 24 at the Binghamton Riverwalk in Binghamton, NY and on January 25 at the Doubletree Hotel in Syracuse, NY. This course provides attendees with an update on professional standards, Code of Ethics and enforcement procedures, plus other changes adopted by NAR's Board of Directors or Delegate Body. It also satisfies both NAR's new member and quadrennial ethics training requirement. Click here for more information or to register.

The AREAA Global Real Estate Summit will be held April 1-3, 2012 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. NYSAR has negotiated a discounted rate of just $399 (a $200 discount). The program will show you how you can help international investors navigate the regulatory, tax and legal issues of purchasing property in the U.S. Click here to learn more.

NYSAR will be hosting a free webinar, "2011 New York Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers – New York State vs. National Comparisons" on Thursday, February 2, 2012. This informative webinar will cover the highlights of the report and compare New York State to the national results. Click here to learn more.

Whether you're entertaining clients or taking a night out with your family, you can take advantage of discounted pricing on tickets to Nets Basketball games. Ticket prices vary based on the game's opponent and the seat class you select. The 2011-2012 season is the Nets final season in New Jersey before moving to the Barclays Center in New York for the 2012-2013 season. Click here for a game schedule and to reserve your tickets today.

Take refuge from NYSAR's hectic business meetings by visiting the RPAC Lounge on Tuesday, February 14, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., where you'll gain all-day access to food, beverage, business facilities and pampering! Gain admittance with a $250 RPAC pledge or investment. Stay tuned to NYSAR.com or click here for more details.

The January RPAC silent auction item is a Magellan Roadmate GPS. Bids must be placed by January 31 at 11:59 p.m. Click here to learn more.

The RPAC of NY Major Investor Installment Plan gives members the option to spread their RPAC investments over a course of months to achieve Major Investor status ($1,000+) by the end of the fundraising year in October. Click here for more information.