Effective May 1, all buyers of older properties (pre-FIRM) will see a premium rate reduction under the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. Instead of jumping to "full cost" for flood insurance, buyers will assume the seller’s October 2013 rate for a pre-FIRM property. FEMA also extended the rate relief so all pre-FIRM properties will begin paying October 2013 rates when they purchase or renew their flood insurance after May 1. 

Click here to learn more.

The National Association of REALTORS’ REALTOR Magazine is seeking nominations for the 2014 Good Neighbor Awards. The program recognizes REALTORS whose extraordinary commitment to community service has helped make their communities better places to live. Five winners will receive a $10,000 grant for their community cause and travel to the 2014 REALTORS Conference and Expo in New Orleans. Five honorable mentions will receive $2,500 grants. Click here to learn more.

As you begin cleaning out your closets this spring, NYSAR’s Housing Opportunities Foundation asks that you set aside items for the "It’s New to You" fundraiser. We are asking you to bring your clean, gently-used items to the Desmond during the Mid-Winter Business Meetings next February to be sold to attendees shopping in our couture store. Formal wear, business wear, smart casual clothing plus outerwear, shoes and accessories will be accepted. All proceeds will go directly to the foundation’s first-time homebuyer grant program. Click here for more information.

Last week, a federal judge struck down New York State’s limit on individual contributions to independent expenditure committees, citing recent precedent from the U.S. Supreme Court that loosened federal campaign finance law.

New York imposes a $150,000 limit on an individual’s annual political contribution. The district court judge in Manhattan ruled that such a limit was a violation of the First Amendment when it was applied to independent groups. The decision follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision from last month that struck down a cap on the total amount any individual can contribute to federal candidates in an election cycle.

Justices in the Appellate Division of the New York state Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week on the Adirondack Club and Resort (ACR) Article 78 lawsuit. The justices are expected to reach a verdict on the appeal by the end of June.

Click here to learn more.

NYSAR's annual Lobby Day will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Albany. NYSAR will once again reimburse anyone wishing to participate in Lobby Day 50 percent of your total individual travel costs including gas, tolls, and/or a hotel room up to $75! NYSAR will also continue to reimburse 50 percent of the local board cost to lease mass transportation for Lobby Day. Mass transportation includes the lease of a charter bus, van rental, etc. Stay tuned to receive the NYSAR special discounted hotel rate information.

NYSAR will provide breakfast, a lobbying orientation, lobbying materials and lunch. So come and let your REALTOR voices be heard at the Capitol on June 10! For more information, visit NYSAR.com or contact Government Affairs Coordinator Blaise DiBernardo at (518) 463-0300 ext. 216 or by email at bdibernardo@nysar.com.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will take a look at the ways agents could lose their license. 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.

The best way to receive and respond to NAR Calls for Action is through the REALTOR Action Center mobile app. The interactive app allows REALTORS to receive and respond to Calls for Action on the go. It’s the easiest way to stay informed about and involved in the key issues that matter most to your business and homeownership. What are you waiting for? Download the app today.

CRS 206 - "Technologies to Advance Your Business" – will be offered on May 8-9 at the LIBOR REALTOR Service Center in Woodbury, NY. This course will teach you to analyze your technology to meet the expectations of today’s consumers. Click here to watch a video about CRS 206.  

Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 401 – "Get it Listed...Get it Sold"– will be offered May 14-15 at the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS in Johnson City, 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.

REALTOR Institute 404 – "Serving Real Estate Investors" – will be offered May 15 at the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS in Amherst, NY. In this course, you'll learn how to complete financial calculations, explain conceptsused in evaluating real estate as an investment, and help clients negotiate, purchase, finance, manage and sell commercial and/or investment property. 

Click here for more information or to register.

NYSAR’s exclusive partner for errors and omissions insurance, Pearl Insurance offers you comprehensive and affordable coverage customized to fit your needs. Their program, underwritten by XL Insurance, includes innovative features such as: deductible reduction; open house coverage; environmental failure to advise; innocent partner protection; and public relations advisory services.

For more details or a customized quote, call (800) 289-8170 or visit www.pearlinsurance.com/nysar.

NYSAR’s insurance plan administrator, USI Affinity, offers you access to more than 15 top-rated insurance providers and dedicated consultants who will do the legwork for you. Plus, by bundling your auto and homeowners insurance, you can save up to 30 percent a year. Click here to learn more.

The spring fundraising season is in full swing! Find our which boards across the state are busy hosting RPAC fundraising events in the coming days by clicking here.