NYSAR supported change to Real Property Law sec. 441-a has been signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. This legislation removes the fee to file a termination when an associate broker or salesperson leaves one brokerage for another. Click here to learn more.

New York State REALTORS closed 8,745 sales in July, up 4.7 percent from the July 2011 total of 8,352. The statewide median sales price reached $233,000, an increase of 5.9 percent compared to the July 2011 median of $220,000. Pending sales were also up in July. Click here to learn more.

REALTOR University offers a 36-credit-hour, 12-course graduate-level program to help you differentiate yourself from your competition. The graduate-level real estate degree programs are exclusively online. REALTOR University also has a program for non-degree seeking students. Click here to learn more.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo hosted a Regional Economic Development Council meeting yesterday which featured updates on the 739 projects that receive state funds from last year's REDC awards. Cuomo also announced $25 million in grants to bring high speed Internet access to underserved communities throughout the state. Click here to learn more.

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli proposed legislation that would establish a natural gas damage recovery fund program. Under the proposal, if contamination from hydraulic fracturing of natural gas in New York State does occur, the party that causes the contamination would be held responsible for the full cost of cleanup. NYSAR is currently in the midst of forming an official position on the issue. Click here to learn more.

The Tuesday, September 11, NYSAR Radio show will cover agency issues as it relates to dual and designated agents. Tune in at 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 11, by clicking here. Click here for more information.

If you plan to attend the Fall Business Meetings, be sure to make your reservation by this Friday, August 31, to receive NYSAR's discounted room rates. To make your reservation, call Turning Stone at 800.771.7711 and identify yourself as an attendee of the "New York State Association of REALTORS Business Meeting." Click here for more information or to register for the meetings.

Broker Price Opinion Resource (BPOR) Certification required course "BPOs: The Agent's Role in the Valuation Process" will be offered September 5, 2012, at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS Rockland County office in West Nyack, NY. This course provides 6 hours of real estate and appraiser continuing education credit. Click here for more information or to register.

The Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) course will be offered September 5 – 6 at the Mohawk Valley Association of REALTORS in Utica, NY. This course helps you develop the business-building skills and resources for specialization in the senior real estate market by: expanding your knowledge of how life stages impact real estate choices; connecting you to a network of resources; and fostering empathy. Click here for more information or to register.

Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) Short Sales elective course – will be offered September 6 at the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS in Rochester, NY. This course explains the similarities and differences in the U.S. Treasury, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac HAFA programs designed to streamline and unify the short sale process. Click here for more information or to register.

The open enrollment period for NYSAR's dental plan comes to a close this Friday, August 31. The new United Concordia plans, administered by USI Affinity, offer you three comprehensive options at an affordable rate that's locked in for two years! After the August 31 open enrollment deadline, you won't be able to enroll until the next open enrollment period in July 2013. For more information, rates and to apply, please visit www.myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar or call 888.834.3664 x18626.

Get the absolute lowest price possible on your generic prescriptions with the free NYSAR RxCut card. This card is available to all NYSAR members, whether you have insurance or not. No enrollments or activations required to start saving. For more information and to download your card, visit the Member Perks section at NYSAR.com.

RPAC of NY is hosting "A Cruise to Die For," an interactive murder mystery RPAC fundraising event, on Monday, October 1, from 8-11 p.m. during the NYSAR Fall Business Meetings at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. The event will feature refreshments, auctions and intrigue while raising money for RPAC. Click here to learn more.

The August RPAC silent auction item is a Major League Baseball deluxe grill cover, available with a variety of MLB team logos. Bids must be placed by Friday, August 31, at 11:59 p.m. Click here to learn more.