Mortgage giant Freddie Mac has predicted that housing starts and home prices will reach their highest levels since 2006 this year. The main reasons behind its bullish forecast is low mortgage rates, an improving job market, and a gradual increase in housing supply. Learn more here.

Congratulations to Judith Gabler, RealtyUSA in Delmar, and Mandy Friend Gigliotti, Keller Williams Realty in Rochester, for being voted into the National Association of REALTORS’ 30 Under 30 Class of 2016. According to the award criteria, they exemplify the ingenuity, dedication, and prowess that is raising the bar in real estate today.

Mandatory Code of Ethics training (formerly known as the Quadrennial Code of Ethics training) must be completed by Dec. 31 of this year. Members are advised not to wait until the last minute to take the Code of Ethics training. Failure to complete the training by Dec. 31 will result in your local board/association suspending your membership on Jan. 1, 2017 until the requirement is met. Any member who has not met the requirement by March 1, 2017 will be automatically terminated. Learn more here.

On Friday, April 1, lawmakers passed a $147 billion state budget, which is a $1.4 billion-increase over Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget proposal submitted in January. The budget does not contain any increases to the state’s mortgage recording tax or real estate transfer tax, nor does it contain any measure that would increase license fees for real estate sales persons or brokers. The budget adheres to the governor’s goal of restricting state spending growth to two percent. A summary of other budget items including an increase in minimum wage, paid family leave and changes to STAR program can be found here.

A proposal to rezone East New York is being negotiated between Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Council. The neighborhood is the first of 15 that the city plans to rezone as part of the mayor's affordable housing plan. Learn more here.

NYSAR’s annual Lobby Day is Tuesday, May 24, 2016 in Albany. This year, we will be advocating for a statewide first-time homebuyer savings account program, among other legislative priorities. For those traveling to Albany the day prior, a block of rooms at the new Renaissance Albany Hotel, located across the street from the New York State Capitol Building, has been set aside until April 23. The rate is $179. To reserve a room, call 518-992-2500 and use our room block code SAR, or enter the online group code: SARSARA. NYSAR will reimburse up to $75 per person for travel expenses to Albany for Lobby Day. NYSAR also reimburses local boards half the cost to lease mass transportation to Lobby Day. NYSAR will provide breakfast, lunch, lobbying orientation and lobbying materials.

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

The Tuesday, April 19, NYSAR Radio show will cover the topic of Fair Housing in honor of April being Fair Housing Month. Tune in at 10 a.m. on April 19 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.

Find out how to protect your income from taxes while saving for retirement. Join NYSAR and Member Perks Partner UBS Financial Services for a must-attend webinar on the benefits of starting an Independent 401(k) plan this Thursday, April 7, at 2 p.m. In addition to reducing your taxable income and saving for retirement, an Independent 401(k) plan gives you the flexibility to decide whether to contribute and how much on an annual basis, and the ability to borrow against your own retirement savings both tax-free and penalty-free. Through NYSAR’s partnership with UBS Financial Services, you’ll pay a minimal annual fee of only $25 for your account. Click here to register today.

The GRI-6 Sellers course will be offered April 12 at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in West Nyack, NY. Represent seller clients in a way that keeps them coming back. Get a competitive advantage with strategies to: gain more listings; get clients to price to sell; enhance your marketing; and avoid Fair Housing violations and safety concerns. 

Register online today or call 800-239-4432 x219. Click here for more information.

The GRI-5 Buyers course will be offered April 13 at the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS in Syracuse, NY. Demonstrate your value to buyers from listing to closing. Learn strategies to secure more buyer clients, guide buyers through the process, and assure fair housing law compliance. This course satisfies the New York State fair housing training requirement. 

Register online today or call 800-239-4432 x219. Click here for more information.

The GRI-8 Technology course will be offered April 14 at SUNY Canton in Canton, NY. Discover the latest tools to streamline your business and exceed client expectations. Learn how to be mobile and paperless in your real estate practice with tips on: transaction management tools; Internet advertising and syndication; e-marketing and social media; automation hardware, software and apps.

Register online today or call 800-239-4432 x219. Click here for more information.

Take advantage of NYSAR Member Perks partner Taxbot to keep more of your commissions through tax deductions! The Taxbot mobile app offers you the ability to track business mileage and expenses with your iPhone or Android smartphone or tablet, and turn those expenses into IRS compliant tax deductions. Watch a video showing how easy the app is to use. Learn more here.

With this money- and potentially life-saving benefit, you have the opportunity to evaluate your risk for several of today's most critical - and often undiagnosed - health conditions. Held in convenient neighborhood or corporate settings across New York State, Life Line Screening offers painless, non-invasive screenings for strokes, aneurysms and other vascular diseases. 

The four-screening stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm package ($240 value) is available at special NYSAR pricing of $135. Keep in mind, these same tests would likely cost more than $1,000 at a hospital.Call 800-636-0248 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/nysar for more information or to find a screening near you.

The April RPAC auction item is a pair of New York Mets tickets for Saturday, May 21, at 4:10 p.m. against the Brewers. Seats are located in the Excelsior Level, Section 311. The auction closes Monday, April 25. Visit the RPAC Facebook group to place a bid or contact Derick King at dking@nysar.com or 518-463-0300 x238.

Local boards are busy planning spring RPAC events including LIBOR’s Day at the Races and Jefferson-Lewis/WCR’s Paint & Sip. A calendar of local board RPAC events is displayed on the RPAC page of NYSAR.com. Click here to view the calendar.