The New York State housing market sustained its ongoing recovery in February, posting a 4.8-percent growth in the statewide median sales price for existing single-family homes, condos and co-ops. Year-to-date closed sales are 3.3 percent ahead of the 2012 start, despite a sales decline in February.

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Survivors of Hurricane Sandy have until March 29 to register for possible disaster assistance and to return applications for low-interest disaster loans to the U.S. Small Business Administration. The 13 designated counties are: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

FEMA disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

There are several ways to register:
· Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
· Via smartphone or tablet, go to m.fema.gov or download the FEMA app.
· By phone, 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
· The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

NYSAR's annual Lobby Day will be held Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 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 and reimburse 50 percent of the local board cost to lease mass transportation for Lobby Day.

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The state Senate began passing budget bills Sunday in a rare weekend session, while the state Assembly has adjourned until Thursday, March 28, in observance of the Jewish holiday of Passover. The Senate passed three budget bills Sunday and will continue to work through this week passing budget bills in an attempt to finish the budget process by the April 1 deadline.

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Congress has approved a short-term spending measure that averts the chances of a government shutdown next month. The House gave final approval last Thursday to a continuing funding resolution that outlines spending through the conclusion of the fiscal year on September 30.

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The Tuesday, April 9, NYSAR Radio show will cover common commission issues. Tune in at 10 a.m. on April 9 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.

NYSAR has partnered with local boards and associations to offer RI402 - "Real Estate Issues - Not Knowing Can Be Dangerous" - in 14 locations around New York State in 2013. Each class will be free to members who register for another REALTOR Institute course, a $225 value. This is a limited-time offer for currently scheduled classes only, while space is available. Call 800-239-4432 to register today.

CRS201 - Listing Strategies - will be offered April 4-5 at the Long Island Board of REALTORS in Woodbury, NY. This course will teach to develop polished pre-listing packages, how to get sellers to price to sell, and how to close the transaction and effectively list properties.

Call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 x219 to register today. Click here for more information.

Take four GRI courses, earn 37.5 hours of GRI credit (almost half of the designation requirement), and stay at the Riveredge Resort - all for less than $800 when you register for the GRI Academy in Alexandria Bay. You can choose two courses for $125, three for $250 or all four - that's five days of education - for only $375. The registration deadline is Friday, March 29. Call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 to register today.

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NYSAR members can save 10 percent on the Guardly Mobile Safety App. The app allows you to instantly connect with managers, colleagues, family and 9-1-1 when faced with safety concerns.

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Your NYSAR membership gives you an extra 10-percent discount at NAR's REALTOR.org store. Shop the store and take advantage of exclusive savings on NAR's entire line of products and publications including books, brochures, DVDs, research reports and more. To redeem your 10-percent discount, visit http://www.realtor.org/store and simply enter member code "NYSAR2" at checkout.

Congratulations to George S. Wonica for submitting the high RPAC bid of $300 for Sharper Image's Deluxe Charging Station. Thank you George for investing in RPAC at the Major Investor level for many years, and for your service as state RPAC Trustee and national RPAC Participation Council member. The April RPAC auction item will be announced on April 1.