On Thursday, January 30, the US Senate passed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act by a vote of 67-32. This legislation calls for a four-year delay on rate increases triggered by a property’s sale or a flood map update for a property with previously grandfathered rates. The vote sends the measure to the House for consideration. The House version of the bill currently has 181 cosponsors.

To see how your senators voted, visit the rollcall vote list here. For more information about the flood insurance issue, please visit REALTOR.org.

According to the results of the fourth quarter New York State Consumer Real Estate Sentiment Scores released by the Siena Research Institute (SRI), New Yorker’s attitudes towards the real estate market remain positive. Looking forward, the overall future sentiment score indicates that New Yorkers expect the overall real estate market and the value of property to increase over the next year. 

Click here to learn more.

During his State of the Union address last week, President Barack Obama called for legislation to keep the dream of homeownership alive for all Americans, while protecting taxpayers from the risk of costly bailouts. He also called on Congress to pass legislation to curtail frivolous patent infringement lawsuits and licensing schemes.

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The New York State Assembly has once again passed Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 10-point Women’s Equality Act. Importantly for NYSAR, the WEA also includes a provision to make domestic violence status a protected class in New York and a proposal to study whether source of income should become a protect class statewide. NYSAR had extensive discussions and negotiations with the state Senate and Assembly last year, along with the governor’s staff, to ensure these provisions were balanced, fair and reasonable. 

Click here to learn more.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will preview the NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings. Tune in at 10 a.m. this morning 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.

Give a gift that can help save a life by participating in the NYSAR Young Professionals Network’s American Red Cross Blood Drive being held in conjunction with the NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings on Wednesday, February 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Appointments are scheduled in 15 minute increments and are encouraged to avoid long wait times. To make your appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code "NYSARAlbany." Or, email Director of Marketing Kristen Pooler at kpooler@nysar.com with your availability.

NYSAR has partnered with the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) to offer NYSAR members discounted pricing to the upcoming 2014 AREAA Global & Luxury Summit. Being held April 12 to 15 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, this event will bring together international investors with housing and real estate leaders to discuss important issues facing the U.S. real estate market and growing global investment opportunities. The discounted rate of $399 ($200 savings) is available until February 28. Register today at http://summit.areaa.org and enter offer code "NYSAR2014A" to receive the discounted rate. Click here to view a promotional flyer.

REALTOR Institute 401 – "Get it Listed...Get it Sold"– will be offered on February 18-19 at Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in White Plains, NY. This course teaches you new methods of marketing and how to integrate technology into your business to increase your listings, sales and profits. 

Click here for more information or to register.

Annually, more than 8 million children are relocated by their families. Make sure to stop by the World Class Coaches table at the Mid-Winter Business Meetings and learn how to meet the needs of this sizeable market. You can save 15 percent or more on "The Great Moving Adventure" DVD and learn how you can receive free training on practices to increase client acquisition, satisfaction and retention rates. Not able to attend the business meetings? Visit www.worldclasscoaches.com/greatmoving-NYSAR.php for more details or to purchase the DVD for use with your clients. Please use coupon code "NYSAR2010" at checkout to apply your NYSAR discount.

The NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings are next week! If you haven’t planned to do so already, plan to take a break from the hectic meeting schedule by attending the RPAC VIP Lounge on Tuesday, February 11. Back by popular demand, the lounge will again be open from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. and will feature breakfast, gourmet hot lunch, manicures, professional photographer, massages, cable TV, computers, printer, phone chargers and more. Admission is a $250 RPAC investment. For complete details and to register, click here.

Be sure to save the date of Tuesday, February 11, from 2 – 3:30 p.m. for the General Session at the NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings at the Desmond. During this time, the RPAC awards ceremony will recognize local boards for their 2013 RPAC achievements in fundraising and participation. In addition, RPAC of New York will induct two new members to the RPAC of New York Hall of Fame and present the prestigious Lawrence B. Caldwell RPAC Service Award.