Last week, the New York State Real Estate Board gave final approval to the revised advertising regulations. A culmination of five years of work by NYSAR and other interested parties, the new regulations still need to go through the regulatory public notice process, including publication in the New York Register. Following publication, the new regulations are set to become effective on January 2, 2014.

The New York City Council Committee on Housing and Building will be holding a hearing today at 1 p.m. on NYSAR supported Intro. 188, the Fair Cooperative Procedure Law. We encourage all New York City NYSAR members to come to the 14th Floor Committee Room, 250 Broadway, New York, NY and be present at the hearing to show REALTOR support for the passage of this important legislation. Click here to read NYSAR's full Memorandum in Support. 

Click here to learn more.

On April 25, NAR President Gary Thomas testified before the House Ways and Means Committee on federal tax provisions that affect residential real estate. His testimony continues the theme of "do no harm" to housing by maintaining the current tax laws for homeownership and real estate investments. Thomas said the current tax code contains housing-related provisions that help facilitate homeownership, build wealth for families and provide stability to communities. To read the complete testimony, please visit REALTOR.org or click here.

On May 1, videos, talking points and other materials will be posted on REALTOR.org with an overview of the NAR issues for the upcoming Midyear Meetings. On May 8, NAR will host a Virtual Town Hall with lobbyist Kevin Donnelly to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the posted materials.

All relevant information can be found at www.realtor.org/hillvisitmaterials.

The Tuesday, May 7, NYSAR Radio show will cover the new advertising regulations that were recently approved. Tune in at 10 a.m. on May 7 on your PC or Mac by using the player on the NYSAR Radio page. 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.

Today is your last chance to enter to win one of two pairs of Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses from NYSAR's newest Member Perks Partner Time Warner Cable. To qualify, simply register in their REALTOR Referral Program by midnight tonight. By registering, you will automatically receive 25 points and qualify for the drawing. To learn more about the program and to register, visit www.twcablerealty.com/NYSAR.

Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) Required Course - will be offered May 6-7 at the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS in Amherst, NY. This course will teach you how to become an efficient and profitable buyer's representative, providing the quality of service and degree of fidelity today's buyers expect.

Click here for more information or to register.

The Resort and Second-home Property Specialist (RSPS) course will be offered May 10 at the REALTOR Service Center in Riverhead, 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.

NYSAR's partnership with UPS gives you access to exclusive shipping discounts - up to 30 percent! Enroll today to start saving on every package you send. Visit http://www.savewithups.com/nysar or call 800-325-7000 to enroll.

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. Not only do you have the choice of carriers, you also have the flexibility to choose from a variety of plan options to find the plan and pricing best suited to your needs. For more information or a customized quote, call Ned Cox, NYSAR's dedicated sales representative, at 888.834.3713 x18626 or visit www.myrealtorinsurance.com/NYSAR.

•  RPAC, the REALTORS Political Action Committee is the only professional organization in the country organized for REALTORS, run by REALTORS and exists to promote issues important to REALTORS.
•  RPAC is the number one trade association political action committee in the nation.
•  RPAC provides financial support to lawmakers and candidates who understand and support private-property rights and the real estate industry.
•  RPAC allows REALTORS to make sure their concerns about real estate issues are heard and understood by public officials.

Join REALTORS from across New York who are fighting to keep the American dream of homeownership alive by making a $25 investment in RPAC by clicking here!

Spring has finally sprung and many boards across the state are busy planning and executing local RPAC fundraising events. Some examples of great local RPAC events include karaoke, bowling, mini-golf, bull-riding, Murder Mystery Theater and a day at the races.

To find out if your local board has a spring RPAC event on the calendar, please contact your local board or NYSAR's Political Affairs Coordinator Derick King at dking@nysar.com. Or, if you'd like to speak to Derick about RPAC fundraising ideas, please call 518-463-0300 x238.