On Tuesday, June 11, close to 300 REALTORS rolled up their sleeves to participate in NYSAR’s annual Lobby Day at the Capitol in Albany. REALTORS spent the day tirelessly meeting with state lawmakers to urge passage of NYSAR supported team name registration, broker rebate, and cooperative purchase disclosure legislation, and to express opposition to several bills relating to expanded agricultural district disclosure, source of income legislation and extensions and creation of mortgage recording taxes and transfer taxes by counties.

To view videos from Lobby Day including Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins addressing attendees, click here. Click here to learn more.

In its U.S. Foreclosures Market Report for May 2013, RealtyTrac Inc. reported New York State had 4,027 total foreclosures, a 2.18-percent increase from April and a 14.31-percent increase from May 2012.

Click here to learn more.

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.

NAR has produced a video that helps to explain the changes to the National Flood Insurance Program and rate schedules. The video is available on REALTOR.org by clicking here. Additionally, a frequently asked questions page in now available on the FEMA website by clicking here.

Click here to learn more.

The second quarter edition of Legal Lines is now available on NYSAR.com. This issue features an article providing an overview of the new advertising regulations including new items such as teams, logos and Internet advertising. This edition also features a New York case involving an unlicensed property manager, and national cases including the Key West Association of REALTORS’ federal copyright case win, an Ohio court’s finding of a brokerage liable for salesperson’s fraud, and a lawsuit over zoning disclosure. Department of State first quarter 2013 administrative law judge decisions are also included. Click here to read the second quarter edition of Legal Lines.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will cover best practices for brokers. 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.

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.

The Instructor Training Institute (ITI) will be offered June 25-27 at the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS office in Albany, NY. This three-day intensive program will help you develop or enhance your skills as an instructor. You’ll learn how to deliver information in the most meaningful ways to meet the needs of a diverse audience.

Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 404 – "Serving Real Estate Investors" – will be offered June 25 at the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS Design Center in Rochester, NY. In this course, you'll learn how to complete financial calculations, explain concepts used in evaluating real estate as an investment, and help clients negotiate, purchase, finance, manage and sell commercial and/or investment property.

Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 409 – "Equal and Ethical Service" – will be offered June 26-27 at the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS Design Center in Rochester, NY. This course fulfills the Code of Ethics training requirement for REALTOR membership and the fair housing training requirement for NYS license renewal. 

Click here for more information 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.

Congratulations to the Dutchess County Association of REALTORS on raising $6,785 for RPAC during their Murder Mystery event. Thank you to the approximately 100 attendees for supporting the second annual event and investing in the future of your business through RPAC.

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.