According to the latest poll by the Siena Research Institute (SRI), New York State consumer home buying plans increased April. Overall, New York State consumer confidence decreased. Click here to learn more.

According to national homebuilder PulteGroup, Inc., 60 percent of renters who plan to purchase a home in the future have increased their intent to do so compared to a year ago, as indicated by the results of the recent PutleGroup Home Index (PGHI) survey. Among this group, 61 percent said they intend to purchase a home within the next two years. Click here to learn more.

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

NYSAR is actively supporting a license law bill that would provide a more streamlined process when real estate salespersons change the brokerage in which they work. Click here to learn more.

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.

REALTOR members attending the NAR Mid-Year Meetings are encouraged to attend NAR's Virtual Town Hall webinar on Wednesday, May 9, at 3 p.m. This webinar will help you prepare for your visits with members of Congress in May. Click here to learn more. Click here to read then entire Government Affairs Weekly Update.

Today's NYSAR Radio, "Things to know as a new agent/exploring NYSAR.com" will re-air tomorrow, Wednesday, May 9, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can also listen to it any time after tomorrow by visiting NYSAR.com. To listen to the show during one of its regularly scheduled hours, click here.

The 11^th annual New York State Commercial Real Estate Conference will be held June 19 - June 20, 2012, at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY. The conference will include a legislative update and several courses offering continuing education credit. Click here to learn more.

REALTOR Institute 401 – "Get it Listed...Get it Sold!" – will be offered May 14 - 15 at the Elmira-Corning Board of REALTORS in Corning, NY. This course shows you new methods of marketing and how to integrate technology into your business to increase your listings, sales and profits. Click here for more information or to register.

NYSAR will be hosting the third webinar in the three-part agency webinar series on Thursday, May 17. This webinar, presented by NYSAR Director of Legal Services Anthony Gatto, Esq., will focus on dual agency and dual agency with designated sales agents. If you missed parts one and two, visit the Media Center at NYSAR.com to view the webinar recordings at your convenience. To attend, you must first register.

As of April 30, RPAC of New York has raised 44 percent of its 2012 fundraising goal. In terms of participation, 7,953 members have invested in RPAC, representing 58 percent toward its 2012 goal. 10 local boards/associations have met their fundraising goals so far. If you haven't invested in RPAC this year, please do your part and invest today. Click here to learn more.

The May RPAC silent auction item is a Brookstone CD/DVD storage system. Bids must be placed by
Thursday, May 31, at 11:59 p.m. Click here to learn more.