On May 18, 2016, 19 NYCRR §175.17 was amended to add "Gender Identity" as a protected class under the New York Human Rights Law. This was done in conjunction with those protections recently given to victims of domestic violence. REALTORS should be aware that such protections are given by New York State and the National Association of REALTORS. Learn more here.

A record number of REALTORS came to Albany last week to ask their legislators to support the NY First Home bill and other initiatives vital to the industry and Empire State home buyers and sellers. The more than 325 REALTORS participating in Lobby Day heard from NY First Home bill sponsors Senator Betty Little and Assemblymember Phil Ramos before they met with their own representatives to discuss key REALTOR issues.

 

NYSAR is also continuing to call on REALTORS and the public to take action by asking their legislators to pass the NY First Home proposal into law. Learn more here.

The National Association of REALTORS' latest Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) shows that pending home sales rose for the third consecutive month in April and reached their highest level in more than a decade. The PHSI in the Northeast climbed 1.2 percent to 98.2 in April, and is now 10.1 percent above a year ago. Learn more here.

NYSAR CEO Duncan MacKenzie appeared on Time Warner News' "Capital Tonight" show to discuss NYSAR’s Lobby Day and our NY First Home legislation. The interview can be found here. 

The New York State Assembly passed legislation dealing with abandoned residential properties, amending the foreclosure process and imposing requirements for the maintenance of properties by a mortgagee or its loan servicing agent. The Senate has yet to take up this legislation. The Assembly issued a press release on the topic, which can be found here.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown was appointed New York State Democratic Party Chairman with the support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Former New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn was appointed the chairwoman of the executive committee. More on this story can be found here.

In June 2002, then President George W. Bush proclaimed June to be National Homeownership Month, noting the benefits homeownership brings to Americans and the nation. The NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation supports those benefits by awarding $2,000 grants to low-to-moderate income individuals and families, who are working with a REALTOR and may be struggling to cover their closing costs or down payment. In June, the foundation will be raising funds to support this grant program. Learn more here.

Time is running out to register for NYSAR’s Instructor Training Institute, providing 50 points toward the 100 points needed to become a New York State-approved real estate instructor. The registration deadline (today, May 31) is fast approaching, so don’t miss out. Instructors Roseann Farrow and Jeremias ‘JMan’ Maneiro share why you should attend.

The Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI) GRI-2 Business course will be offered June 7 at the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS in Syracuse, NY.  Take your business to the next level and gain market share. Learn how to: create an effective business plan build support structures using assistants and teams; tap into niche markets; and develop policies to avoid risk.

 

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

The Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI) GRI-1 Ethics course will be offered June 8 at the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS in Albany, NY.  Capitalize on what sets REALTORS apart from real estate licensees by learning how to put the Code of Ethics to work for you. Satisfies NAR's mandatory quadrennial ethics training requirement. 

 

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

The Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) course will be offered June 8-9  at the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS in Amherst, NY. Elevate your standards, enhance your performance, and demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential to professionally and ethically represent sellers. 

 

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

NYSAR is pleased to announce that enrollment for dental and vision insurance is now available year-round. Through NYSAR Member Perks partner USI Affinity, you can access competitive, flexible coverage from MetLife. As one of the largest dental insurance providers in the country, MetLife is well positioned to offer NYSAR members a range of dental options, affordable rates and a large network of participating dentists. Key benefits of the NYSAR Dental Plan include: three plan choices to suit your needs and budget; competitively priced coverage with group rates; comprehensive, nationwide network of dentists; freedom to choose your dentist; and coverage for orthodontia.

 

Plus, you can also purchase vision coverage as a rider to your dental policy or as a standalone policy. 

 

For full plan details and rates, visit MyREALTORinsurance.com/NYSAR or call (888) 834.3713 to speak with a benefits counselor. 

Nearly 50 REALTORS, including the NYSAR leadership team and RPAC Major Investors, attended a private reception honoring Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Majority Leader Joseph Morelle on the evening prior to Lobby day. The event was held at the Albany Renaissance Hotel and provided an opportunity for REALTORS to enjoy quality time with the leaders of the New York State Assembly.  RPAC Major Investors are defined as investing at least $1,000 in RPAC. 

The SONY Bluetooth headphones garnered so much enthusiasm, two winners were declared. Each winner will get a pair of headphones and RPAC will benefit from a total of $1,025! Thank you Moses Seuram from LIBOR for investing in RPAC at the Golden R level ($5,000) and for recently joining the NAR President’s Circle Program. Thank you to Max Gurvitch from Brooklyn for your longtime support of RPAC at the Golden R level ($5,000) and President’s Circle commitment. Stay tuned for the June auction item to be announced later this week. 

The Spring RPAC fundraising season remains hot! The following local boards are holding RPAC events in the weeks ahead:

• June 9: Greater Capital – 2^ndAnnual Wine & Beer Gathering
  Join your colleagues for a Happy Hour gathering at the Thirsty Owl in Saratoga Springs and enjoy a glass of wine, a beer and appetizers too! Visit the IMS Section of www.gcar.com to purchase your tickets. See flyer for complete details. 

• June 10: Dutchess County – Hudson River Sunset Cruise
  Dutchess County REALTORS will return for a sunset cruise along the majestic Hudson River. The event features gourmet appetizers, refreshing drinks, auctions and a guaranteed good-time in support of RPAC. Contact DCAR for complete details at (845) 471-2811 or www.dcar.com.

• June 15: Columbia-Greene – RPAC BBQ & Perks Fundraiser
  The Columbia Greene Board of REALTORS will host its fourth annual RPAC BBQ and Perks fundraising event at the board office. The event featured a BBQ lunch, professional photographer, a cooking contest and more.For complete details or to register, contact Suzanne Close at (518) 828-7871 or email ae@columbiagreenerealtors.com.

• June 30: Hudson Gateway – New York Yankees Game
  HGAR will return for a NY Yankees game on June 30 to benefit RPAC! Pre-game BBQ and bar open at 11 am on the Rooftop Terrace. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. as the Yankes face the Texas Rangers. Contact Phil Weiden at (914) 681-0833 x3011, email Philip.Weiden@HGAR.com or visit www.hgar.comfor complete detail. See the flyer for more.