Robust buyer activity continued to drive the summer housing market across New York State during August, with gains being posted in closed sales, median price and pending sales, according to the housing market report released by the New York State Association of REALTORS.

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On Wednesday, September 18, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Policy held a hearing regarding the implementation of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act of 2012. This issue has been extremely important to REALTORS around the country and the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) has been working with Congress to address the issues that have emerged as a result of the legislation. NAR submitted written testimony about the continued affordability of flood insurance when Biggert-Waters is fully implemented, and is urging Congress to delay the rest of the premium rate provisions until the Federal Emergency Management Agency can report on their impact on flood insurance affordability.

The written testimony can be found on REALTOR.org or by clicking here.

Privately-owned housing starts in August were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 101,000 for the Northeast, down 8.2 percent from the revised July total of 110,000, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department.Building permits for the Northeast in August rose 10.6 percent to 125,000.

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NYSAR’s Fall Business Meetings will open on Sunday, September 29, with a full schedule of committee meetings and events. The General Session on Monday, September 30, will feature a State of the Association address by President Margaret Hartman, an economic update from Dr. Elliot Eisenberg and an update on REALTOR.com from Vice President of Industry and Customer Development Curt Beardsley. Other highlighted events include the RPAC "Monday Night Fever" fundraiser, also on Monday, September 30, and the Legal Update on Tuesday, October 1, which will focus on the new advertising regulations as well as other important issues.

Several committees are open to non-committee members and you are welcome to sit in to learn more about that committee and what they do. The preliminary agenda identifies the meetings that are for committee members only with an asterisk before the committee name.

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Please join us for a Broker Involvement Program meeting during the Fall Business Meetings at Turning Stone Resort & Casino on Tuesday, October 1, from 10 – 11 a.m. The meeting will feature special guest speaker, Karl Eckhart, political director with the National Association of REALTORS. Karl will answer your questions about Congress and issues facing the real estate industry. The purpose of this meeting is to engage brokers in a conversation on public policy and legislative issues that affect your business at both the national and state level.

Please join us during the Legislative Policy Forum on Monday, September 30, from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for a panel discussing updates and reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). All attendees are welcome to attend this session, which will include a panel comprised of experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Association of REALTORS. They will provide a detailed overview of NFIP reforms, explanations on the new rates, flood maps and more. There will also be a Q&A session and discussion on how these changes will impact your clients.

For more information on the upcoming business meetings, click here.

The NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation is raffling off a prize worth more than $1,200! The winner will enjoy a two-night stay at The Lodge at Turning Stone as well as a complimentary round of golf for two or spa treatments at Skana worth $210, and a $200 American Express gift card. The winner will be announced during the Board of Directors meeting at the Fall Business Meetings. A special thanks to our generous sponsor, The Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Some restrictions apply. Click here for a flyer with full details.

REALTOR Institute 405 – "Construction and Environmental Issues" – will be offered October 2 at the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS in Syracuse, NY. This course provides an in-depth understanding of the physical structure and systems in a home, in addition to energy efficiency and energy rating systems.

Click here for more information or to register.

CRS – "Real Estate Social Marketing" – will be offered October 4 at the REALTOR Service Center in Woodbury, NY. This course will teach you how to dramatically increase your commission income by using social media marketing. 

Call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 x219 to register today. Click here for more information.

Energy Plus® is leaving its mark on the energy industry through its special cash back rewards program. Enroll your home with Energy Plus® and receive 3 percent cash back and a $25 enrollment bonus after two months of active service, and 5 percent cash back and a $50 bonus for a business account. Enrolling with Energy Plus® is easy and there are no monthly service fees, cancellation fees, or long-term commitments. Stop missing out on what you deserve and start earning cash back rewards. Click here to enroll today.

TransUnion SmartMove is an easy, comprehensive and reliable web-based tenant background check offering access to a full credit report, criminal report, customized leasing recommendations and suggested deposit amount to request at lease signing. The trusted brand’s process is all online and you pay only when you use it with no set-up, minimum or annual fees.

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RPAC is seeking auction item donations to be featured in our live and silent auctions at the "Monday Night Fever" RPAC event to be held at Turning Stone during the Fall Business Meetings. If local boards or individual members would like to donate auction items, please contact Derick King at dking@nysar.com or 518-463-0300 x238 with a description of the item and the value by Wednesday, September 25. Local boards and individual members will receive RPAC credit for auction item donations. 

Register online to attend NYSAR’s fall business meetings and the RPAC’s Monday Night Fever fundraising event today. Or, simply download, complete and return the registration form to NYSAR via fax or mail. Hurry, get your ticket to the RPAC event today. Nearly half of the available tickets have already sold and we expect this show to sell out.

The September RPAC silent auction item is the official RPAC Golf Collection. This must-have set includes the official 2013 RPAC golf polo shirt, a dozen Titleist REALTOR golf balls, Odyssey portable putting cup, RPAC beverage tumbler and deluxe RPAC golf umbrella.Bidding closes tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25.

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