National Association of REALTORS staff has reviewed agency contingency plans and compiled a document describing how the government shutdown could have an impact on some real estate transactions. For more information, click here.

Freddie Mac has issued temporary guidance to lenders to minimize disruptions to the mortgage market during the current government shutdown. 

Click here to learn more.

According to the latest quarterly consumer confidence survey released by the Siena Research Institute (SRI), overall consumer confidence decreased in eight New York State MSAs in the third quarter of 2013. Home buying plans increased in six of New York’s MSAs, while falling in three.

Click here to learn more.

With the changes resulting from the Affordable Care Act, NYSAR knows that understanding your health insurance options is more confusing than ever before. Fortunately, NYSAR Member Perks partner and insurance administrator USI Affinity is here to help guide and support all NYSAR members towards making the best health care decisions. Get your questions answered today by calling USI Affinity at 888.834.3713.

This is the final week to enroll in the Broker Involvement Program for 2013. The full impact of the federal government shutdown is still being determined. It is essential that during this time of uncertainty our REALTOR voices be heard on Capitol Hill. Joining is easy and there is no cost to you or your company for participating.

Simply visit the REALTOR Action Center atwww.realtoractioncenter.com or contact Blaise DiBernardo at NYSAR Government Affairs at 518-463-0300 x216 or bdibernardo@nysar.com for more information or to enroll.

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.

Videos from the Fall Business Meetings are now available on the Video page of the Media Center at NYSAR.com. Highlighted videos include the State of the Association address from NYSAR President Margaret Hartman, an economic update from Dr. Elliot Eisenberg, changes to REALTOR.com from Curt Beardsley, the REALTOR of the Year presentation, the Legal Update session and more.

With as many as 90 sessions to choose from, including 50 free CE sessions, and 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 the end of the day today, October 15. Visit www.realtorstripleplay.comfor more details and to register.

The New York State Commercial Association of REALTORS, Inc., in cooperation with the Greater Capital Chapter of NYSCAR, is sponsoring an education and marketing session October 23-24 at the Albany Ramada in Albany, NY. The education session, "Taking Control of Your Retirement Accounts: Self-Directed IRAs and Alternative Investments," will take place October 23 and has 6 hours CE credit pending. The marketing and networking session will take place October 24. For more information and to register, click here.

CRS 204 – "Buying and Selling Income Properties" – will be offered October 24-25 at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in White Plains, NY. This course will teach you how to identify the right opportunities in a down market or an up market, compare real estate with other investments and help your clients create additional wealth through real estate investment opportunities.

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

CRS – "Real Estate Social Marketing" – will be offered October 28 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.

Time Warner Cable recognizes the vital connection you provide to their potential customers and wants to reward you for your referrals. To get started, you first need permission from your broker to present clients with this opportunity. Then, register yourself and gain access to the online referral portal. Your clients will appreciate the time-saving concierge services and a free standard installation, while you earn award points that can be redeemed for thousands of exciting awards, such as electronics, travel awards and luxury gifts, or even donated to charity. You can even choose to use your points to make donations to either the NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation or New York State Real Estate Education Foundation (NYSREEF).  

For more information or register as a referrer, visit www.twcablerealty.com/nysar. Click here to watch a brief video about the program.

Lin Fields from the Jefferson Lewis Board submitted the high bid of $300 for the September RPAC auction item, the RPAC golf basket. Thank you Lin for once again investing at the RPAC Major Investor level in 2013 and for upgrading from Sterling R to Crystal R ($2,500) in 2013!

Enjoy the splendor of the Adirondacks from aboard the premium glass-domed Saratoga-North Creek Railway.Two round-trip tickets from Saratoga Springs to North Creek will provide you and a guest the opportunity to ride more than 50 miles through the spectacular Adirondack Mountains following the rolling Hudson River in late autumn. Bidding closes Tuesday, October 22. 

 

Click here to learn more.