According to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), 2016 will likely see a slowdown in many housing markets across the country. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said that home sales are forecasted to increase this year, but at a more moderate pace as pent-up demand combats affordability pressures and meager economic growth. Learn more here.

In its 2015 year-end foreclosure market report, RealtyTrac Inc. reported New York State had 58,866 total foreclosure filings in 2015, an increase of 23.64 percent from 2014. With one in every 138 homes receiving a foreclosure filing in 2015, New York State ranked 17 out of all 50 states. Learn more here.

The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) has released its 2015 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers – New York Report, which covers information on demographics, housing characteristics and the experience of consumers in the housing market. Buyers and sellers also provide valuable information on the role that real estate professionals play in home sales transactions. View the report here.

In an effort to combat money laundering in the real estate sector, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) at the Treasury Department will begin tracking all "secret buyers" of luxury properties. FinCEN will temporarily require title insurance companies to discover and report the identities of buyers making all-cash luxury real estate purchases through a shell company. The government will begin its new program in Manhattan as well as Miami-Dade County in Florida. In Manhattan, buyers that purchase property at a sale price of more than $3 million must be reported. Learn more here.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered his sixth State of the State Address and Executive Budget presentation on Jan. 13. While NYSAR continues to examine the proposed budget documents, several items are still being rolled out by the governor. It appears that there are no proposals to increase real estate fees or real estate transaction taxes such as the mortgage recording tax. Learn more here.

The NYSAR 2016 Mid-Winter Business Meetings, being held at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, will feature the following Government Affairs Working Group meetings:
•Commercial Issues Working Group – Feb. 7, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in High Street 24-26
•NYC Issues Working Group – Feb. 8, from 9-10 a.m. in High Street 24-26
•Co-op Issues Working Group – Feb. 8, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in High Street 24-26
•Article 12A Working Group – Feb. 8, from 3:30-5 p.m. in High Street 24-26
•Legislative Policy Forum – Feb. 9, from 9-10:30 a.m. in Fort Orange 5-9

Click here for more information.

NYSAR’s annual Lobby Day is set for Tuesday, May 24, 2016 in Albany. It is important for REALTORS to voice their concerns face-to-face with their elected officials. NYSAR’s annual Lobby Day gives REALTORS the opportunity to meet with legislators to help defend our industry. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Stay up-to-date on NYSAR Government Affairs news and events by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will cover advertising issues. 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. Find more information as well as a list of links to play NYSAR Radio from any of your mobile devices here.

Save the pull tabs from your aluminum cans and bring them to the Desmond during the Mid-Winter Business Meetings to donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities! Start collection containers at home and in your office to collect the pull tabs from soda, soup, pet food cans - really anything with a pull tab! Click here for more details.

Join NYSAR and one of our newest Member Perks partners, Healthiest You, for a free webinar this Thursday, Jan. 21, at 2:30 p.m. that explains: what telemedicine is; Healthiest You's winning platform; and how you'll benefit from enrolling. As a NYSAR Member Perk, members can enroll an entire family for just $9 per month. There will also be a brief Q&A session at the end of the webinar. Click here to register today.

You can still register to attend NYSAR’s Mid-Winter Business Meetings, being held Feb. 7-11, 2016, at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany, NY. The meetings will feature committee meetings, inaugural dinner, the General Session and more. Click here for more information or to register.

It’s not too late – you can still explore your 2016 health insurance plan options and easily enroll in coverage! You have until Jan. 31 to shop the NYSAR exchange for access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage. Remember, you will face tax penalties if you do not obtain coverage. Also, if you miss open enrollment, you will not be able to obtain health insurance until the next open enrollment period unless you qualify for a special enrollment. Shop the NYSAR exchange at http://www.myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar, call USI Affinity’s dedicated sales representative Ned Cox at 888.834.3713 or email benefits@usiaffinity.com for more information.

Office Depot and Office Max are now one company, and have partnered with NYSAR to provide you exclusive members-only discounts at all store locations and online. Benefits include: up to 80 percent off preferred products; 93,000 products discounted below retail pricing; free next-day delivery on online orders more than $50 (excludes furniture); exclusive low printing costs; and more. Visit www.officediscounts.org/nysar.html to shop online or print your free loyalty card for in-store purchases. You can also enroll your business in a business account/direct billing account by calling 855-337-6811 ext. 12897.

Back by popular demand, the RPAC VIP Lounge will be held at the Desmond on Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.! Take refuge from NYSAR’s hectic business meetings by visiting the RPAC Lounge, where you’ll gain access to a continental breakfast, deluxe hot lunch buffet, snacks and beverages, chair massage, manicurist, psychic readings, cable TV, computers, printer, unlimited Internet access, cell phone chargers, newspapers and more! Register online while registering for the business meetings by clicking here. For complete details on the RPAC Lounge, click here.
Cost: $250 RPAC Pledge or Investment.
Questions? Email Derick King at dking@nysar.com or call 518-463-0300 x238.

The 2016 RPAC fundraising goals will be identical to the 2015 RPAC fundraising goals for the local boards. Our statewide fundraising goal will again be $778,677. In terms of participation goals, NYSAR eliminated the previous participation goal structure, replacing it with the NAR participation goal set for the state, which is a flat participation rate of 35 percent. In addition, beginning in 2016, for an RPAC investor to be counted toward participation totals for the local, state and national level, the minimum RPAC investment will be $15. To view 2016 fundraising and participation goals by board, click here.