During the NYSAR Fall Business Meetings at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino, it was incorrectly stated that the "license type" (real estate broker, real estate associate broker or real estate salesperson) of an individual was not required on a business card. All business cards must include the license type of the individual. For answers to other questions about advertising, please call the NYSAR Legal Hotline Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 518-436-9727. Click here for more information on the new advertising regulations. Click here to watch the video of the Legal Update session from the business meetings.

According to the latest poll by the Siena Research Institute (SRI), New York State consumer home buying plans were up 1.9 points to 5.7 percent in September. Overall, New York State consumer confidence increased 2.9 points.

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As part of the NYSAR Fall Business Meetings at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NYSAR’s legislative working groups and committees met to discuss and vote on several important issues. The business meetings provided direction and guidance with respect to upcoming legislative issues and RPAC. 

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced the formation of the New York State Tax Relief Commission. The commission will identify ways to reduce the state’s property and business taxes with the goal of providing substantive relief to homeowners and businesses. The Tax Relief Commission is an addition to the governor’s efforts to streamline New York’s tax code, and is tasked with working conjointly with the Tax Reform and Fairness Commission launched last December to conduct a comprehensive review of the state’s taxation policy. 

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The Tuesday, October 22, NYSAR Radio show will cover recent court and New York State Department of State decisions. Tune in at 10 a.m. on October 22 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.

With as many as 90 sessions to choose from including 50 free CE sessions, plus various networking and referral opportunities, Triple Play 2013 is an event you won’t want to miss if you’re serious about your business. Register online today for maximum savings. Regular registration is $99, but you will pay just $79 when you register online by October 15. Visit www.realtorstripleplay.com for more details and to register.

The Resort and Second-home Property Specialist (RSPS) course will be offered October 15 at the REALTOR Service Center in West Babylon, NY and October 24 at the Best Western PLUS University Inn in Canton, NY. This course gives you the knowledge and skills you need to specialize in: buying, selling, or managing second homes in a resort, recreational, and/or vacation destination; and properties for investment, development or retirement.

Click here for more information or to register.

"BPOs: The Agent’s Role in the Valuation Process" will be offered October 22 at the REALTOR Service Center in West Babylon, NY and the Elmira-Corning Board of REALTORS in Corning, NY. This course will help you enhance your skills in creating BPOs, reducing risk and applying alternative valuation methods.

Click here for more information or to register.

NYSAR's health insurance plans, administered by USI Affinity and underwritten by MVP Health Care, offer members four cost-effective, comprehensive plan options with prescription drug coverage, a nationwide provider network, flexible care with no referrals and much more. Don't wait, review plan options and get your customized quote today. Visit www.myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar or call 888.834.3713 x18626 to speak with Ned Cox, NYSAR's dedicated benefits counselor.

The first-ever RPAC "Monday Night Fever" event at Turing Stone raised $28,000 for RPAC of New York through ticket sales and auction proceeds. NYSAR would like to thank RPAC Chair Liz English, Vice Chair Dawn Carpenter and all of the 2013 RPAC Trustees for their support and dedication in making the event a huge success. Special thank you goes to our auctioneer Matthew Arnold, the NYSAR leadership team and all those members that agreed to participate in the festive costume contest or simply dance the night away!

Thank you also goes to the local boards and members who donated auction items and those members who so generously opened their wallets to bid on those auction items! Thank you all for investing in RPAC!

As of Friday, October 4, the 2013 RPAC fundraising year has drawn to a close. NYSAR staff is working to process all final RPAC investments for the year with a year-end total to be announced in the weeks ahead. Starting this week, all RPAC investments will be applied toward the 2014 RPAC fundraising year. Local board RPAC fundraising goals will be based upon the October 31 membership count. Local boards should look for 2014 RPAC goals to be announced in early November.