In its U.S. Foreclosure and Short Sales Report for the first quarter of 2013, RealtyTrac, Inc. reported New York State foreclosure sales fell 7.55 percent from the previous quarter and 16.09 percent from the first quarter of 2012. New York State had a total of 1,580 foreclosure sales in the first quarter with an average sales price of $316,287.

Click here to learn more.

Pending homes sales improved slightly in April and continue to be well above a year ago, according to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings in April, rose 0.3 percent to 106. In the Northeast, the index jumped 11.5 percent to 92.3 in April and is 17.7 percent higher than April 2012.

To read the entire NAR press release, click here.

In honor of June being NYSAR Housing Opportunities Month and in an effort to raise awareness for housing opportunities in New York State, the NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation has made a goal of raising $5,000 on its HOF thermometer. With each degree of donation, the temperature will rise and the donor’s name will be added alongside the thermometer. The thermometer with donor recognition will be prominently displayed on NYSARHousingFoundation.com, in an upcoming issue of New York State REALTOR magazine, on the foundation’s Facebook page and at the NYSAR Fall Business Meetings.

Click here to learn more.

NYSAR's annual Lobby Day will be held Tuesday, June 11, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Albany. Click here to get a copy of the Lobby Day Talking Points and Lobby Day Agenda.

NYSAR will provide breakfast, a lobbying orientation, lobbying materials and lunch. Come and let your REALTOR voices be heard at the Capitol on June 11! For more information, stay tuned to NYSAR.com or contact Government Affairs Coordinator Blaise DiBernardo at (518) 463-0300 ext. 216 or by email at bdibernardo@nysar.com.

NYSAR supported "Team Name Registration" legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Andrew Lanza. S.5508-A amends Article 12-A of the real property law to (1) define "team" under the Real Property Law and (2) require brokers to register any team names that are operating under their broker license/brokerage with the Department of State. The purpose of the legislation is to unite regulation and law by formally defining "teams" in New York and to provide accountability and transparency to consumers regarding who the responsible, supervising broker of record is for each team.

To read NYSAR’s Memorandum in Support, click here.To read the full text of the legislation, click here.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will preview Lobby Day, which is being held June 11, and will feature special guest, NYSAR Government Affairs Coordinator Blaise DiBernardo. Tune in at 10 a.m. this morning 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.

Open enrollment has begun and now is the time to consider NYSAR’s dental plan for your dental insurance needs. Key benefits of United Concordia include: three plan options to offer you a range in coverage; lower rates; coverage for individuals and families; orthodontia coverage and more. For more information about the plans and rates, please call 888-834-3713 or visit www.myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar.
To view a flyer with plan options and rates, click here.

REALTOR Institute 405 – "Construction and Environmental Issues" – will be offered June 10 at the REALTOR Service Center in Jackson Heights, NY. This course provides an in-depth understanding of the physical structure and systems in a home, in addition to energy efficiency and energy rating systems.

Click here for more information or to register.

Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) Required Course– will be offered June 11-12 at the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS in Syracuse, NY and at the Woodbury REALTOR Service Center in Woodbury, 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.

REALTOR Institute 406 – "Price it Right – Understanding the Appraisal Process" – will be offered June 11 at the REALTOR Service Center in West Babylon, NY. This course teaches you the role and responsibilities of the appraiser in order to foster a smooth real estate transaction and offer your clients a high level of professionalism.

Click here for more information or to register.

Now is the time for you to join hundreds of NYSAR members who are energizing their home while enjoying the Energy Plus® Cash Back rewards program. Energy Plus has upgraded their reward for NYSAR members. Now you’ll not only power your home, but you will also earn even more rewards for doing so, with 3 percent cash back for home accounts and 5 percent cash back for business accounts. In addition, when you enroll your home with Energy Plus, you will receive a $25 enrollment bonus after two months of active service and $50 for enrolling a business account.

Click here to learn more and enroll today.

The Dutchess County Association of REALTORS and Columbia-Greene Board of REALTORS are hosting RPAC events in the coming weeks. Click here for more details. Also, congratulations to the Greater Capital and Hudson Gateway associations for recently holding successful events.

Join your colleagues from across the Metro region for an elite RPAC experience at Modell’s Clubhouse at Citi Field for the New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals Game on Tuesday, September 10. The RPAC experience at Modell’s includes: a ticket to the game and private access to Modell’s Clubhouse; the ballpark buffet; and private bar service with complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks.

For complete details and registration instructions, click here.