Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released new flood zone maps that now include large inland portions of Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and parts of Westchester County. In total, more than 35,000 homes and businesses are now situated in flood zones.

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The NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings will open on Sunday, February 10, and be held through Thursday, February 14, at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany, NY. The meetings will feature committee meetings, the inaugural dinner, the General Session and more.

There is still time to register! Click here for more information and to view committee meeting agendas. Also, be sure to use #nysar in all of your tweets about the Mid-Winter Business Meetings!

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will extend expiring protections against foreclosure actions against homeowners whose properties were damaged or destroyed due to Hurricane Sandy.

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Last week, the Bloomberg Administration released its January 2013 Preliminary Budget Plan. The proposed budget and the budget for next year are balanced without any tax increases. The proposal is balanced due to such actions as agency spending cuts taken in November 2012, increases in estimated tax revenues, and a reduction in debt service payments due to low interest rates.

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Last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that will continue the property tax abatement program for qualifying home owners in New York City cooperatives and condominiums for three more years.

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Today’s NYSAR Radio show will preview the Mid-Winter Business Meetings with special guest NYSAR Director of Government Affairs Mike Kelly. Tune in at 10 a.m. today by using the player on the NYSAR Radio page or click here to listen on your Apple computer. You will need to be logged in to listen. If you have not yet created your account with the website, you will need to click on "New User" on the Member Login page and follow the prompts.

Click here for more information as well as a list of links to play NYSAR Radio from any of your mobile devices.

During the Mid-Winter Business Meetings, the NYSAR Young Professionals Network will be collecting new or clean, gently-used adult and children’s winter coats, hats and gloves to be donated to St. Catherine’s Center for Children & Families.

The coats will be collected Sunday through Wednesday in the Fort Orange Courtyard Coat Check. Click here for more information.

"BPOs: The Agent’s Role in the Valuation Process" will be offered February 19 at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in White Plains, NY and February 21 at the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS in Rochester, NY. This course will help you enhance your skills in creating BPOs, reducing risk and applying alternative valuation methods.

Click here for more information or to register.

NYSAR’s exclusive partner for errors and omissions insurance, Pearl Insurance offers you comprehensive and affordable coverage customized to fit your needs. Their program, underwritten by XL Insurance, includes innovative features such as: deductible reduction; open house coverage; environmental failure to advise; innocent partner protection; and public relations advisory services.

For more details or a customized quote, call 800.289.8170 or visit www.pearlinsurance.com/nysar.

Back by popular demand, the RPAC VIP Lounge will be offered at the Desmond on Tuesday, February 12, from 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lounge will feature a hearty continental breakfast, hot lunch buffet, snacks and beverages, chair massage, manicurist, professional photographer, cable TV, computers, printer, unlimited internet access, cell phone chargers, newspapers and more!

Click here to learn more.

Congratulations to the January RPAC auction winner Lisa McKenna from the Northern Adirondack Board of REALTORS. Lisa submitted the high bid of $320 for the Coach handbag. Thank you Lisa for investing in RPAC at the President’s Club level for many years!

The February RPAC silent auction item is the Kindle Paperwhite WiFi e-reader. The Paperwhite has a higher resolution, higher contrast and the patented built-in light provides the ultimate reading experience even in bright sunlight. Bids must be placed by Thursday, February 28.

Click here to learn more.