The upfront insurance premium charged on FHA-insured mortgages for home purchases increased from 1 percent to 1.75, effective Monday, April 9, according to Nasdaq. Click here to learn more.

Mark your calendars for April 28 and 29—and plan to join REALTORS and associations throughout the country as well as outside the U.S. for the Nationwide Open House Weekend. Check with your local board/association for tools and events. Click here for more information.

NAR's Member Value Plus (MVP) program is offering a free electronic version of the Buyer Client Brochure Bundle to those who register for the 2012 Mid-year Trade Expo in Washington, D.C. before April 15. Click here to learn more or to register.

NYSAR's annual Lobby Day will be held Tuesday, June 12, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Albany. NYSAR will once again reimburse anyone wishing to participate in Lobby Day 50 percent of your total individual travel costs including gas, tolls, and/or a hotel room up to $75! Click here to learn more.

The Tuesday, April 17, NYSAR Radio show will cover short sale-related legal information. Tune in at 10 a.m. next Tuesday by clicking here. Click here for more information.

The National Association of REALTORS REALTOR Rally to Protect the American Dream will be held May 17, from 9:30 – 11 a.m., in the Upper Senate Park at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Please register for the rally by clicking here. Click here to learn more.

REALTOR Institute 405 – "Construction and Environmental Issues" – will be offered April 16 at the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS in Albany, 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.

The Resort and Second-home Property Specialist (RSPS) course will be offered April 18 at the Jefferson-Lewis Board of REALTORS in Watertown, NY. This course gives you the knowledge and skills you need to specialize in: buying, selling, or managing second homes in a resort, recreational, and/or vacation destination; and properties for investment, development or retirement. Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 407 – "Building Your Real Estate Practice" – will be offered April 19 at the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS in Syracuse, NY. In this course, you'll discuss business plans, recordkeeping, tax considerations for independent contractors and managing priorities. Click here for more information or to register.

NYSAR has partnered with Energy Plus, one of the fastest growing energy supply companies, to offer you a unique electricity and natural gas program where you can receive cash back and have the opportunity to go green, all while receiving the same reliable delivery service from your local utility company. Click here to learn more.

NYSAR's professional insurance broker, USI Affinity, is partnered with Long Term Care Resources to offer you the choice of three long-term care insurance carriers: Mutual of Omaha, John Hancock and Prudential. Click here to learn more.

The April RPAC silent auction item is a Brookstone bluetooth keyboard for the iPad. Bids must be placed by Monday, April 30, at 11:59 p.m. Click here to learn more.

Congratulations to our March RPAC auction winner Michael Mendicino from the Long Island Board of REALTORS. Michael submitted the high bid of $420 for the Brookstone iPod docking station. Thank you Michael for investing in RPAC at the Major Investor level ($1,000) for the past eight years!

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of RPAC of NY by investing $40 in a limited edition anniversary pin. Click here to learn more.