NYSAR's annual Lobby Day started today at 9 a.m.! We are happy to welcome hundreds of REALTORS from around the state who have come to Albany to participate in this extremely important event. REALTORS will spend the day educating their legislators on the issues that matter to our industry.

Click here for a schedule of events and to view the 2013 legislative talking points.

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 or to donate. 

NYSAR is actively working on the legislation below in the New York State Legislature:

Broker Rebates and Incentives (S.5693 - Zeldin). To read the full text of the legislation, click here.

Source of Income as Protected Class (Governor Program Bill #9, Part E). To view NYSAR’s memorandum in opposition, click here.

New Livingston County Transfer Tax (S.5687 – Gallivan). To view the memorandum in opposition, click here.

Private Right of Action Under ECL (A.2047 Kavanagh/S.2769 Parker). To view NYSAR’s memorandum in opposition, click here.

Expanded Agriculture Disclosure (A.1393 Gunther/S.3860 Ranzenhofer). To view NYSAR’s memorandum in opposition, click here.

Click here to learn more. 

The National Association of REALTORS successfully attached an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill that would delay changes to policies whose premium rates are currently "grandfathered" into a special rate pool for one year. NAR is also working with a Louisiana senator to interrogate the Federal Emergency Management Agency concerning the implementation of NFIP changes.

Click here to learn more.

The Tuesday, June 18, NYSAR Radio show will cover best practices for brokers. Tune in at 10 a.m. on June 18 on your PC or Mac byusing 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.

After nearly five years, the New York State Real Estate Board gave final approval of the revised advertising regulations in April 2013. On Thursday, June 20, at 2:30 p.m., NYSAR Director of Legal Services Anthony Gatto, Esq. will present a free legal webinar that will give you a better understanding of the new regulations.

Click here to learn more or to register.

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.

Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) Required Course– will be offered June 18-19 at the Dutchess County Association of REALTORS in Poughkeepsie, 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.

Short Sales and Foreclosures (SFR) – "What Real Estate Professionals Need to Know" – will be offered June 18 at the Long Island REALTOR Service Center in Woodbury, NY. This course will provide you with the framework for understanding how to: qualify sellers for short sales; develop a short sale package; negotiate with lenders; tap into buyer demand; safeguard commissions; limit risk; and protect buyers.

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.

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 the 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.