According to the latest poll by the Siena Research Institute (SRI), New York State consumer home buying plans were up 0.2 points to 4 percent in April. Overall, New York State consumer confidence rose 0.5 points, while the nation’s confidence increased 4.1 points. At 74.4, New York’s overall consumer confidence is 9.7 points below the nation’s confidence level of 84.1. 

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NYSAR’s new Web Portal makes it easier than ever for you to register for classes and events, invest in RPAC, subscribe and unsubscribe to publications and emails, check out your committee membership, and more. To log in, your username is your full nine-digit NRDS number and your password is the first eight of those digits, unless previously changed. Visit NYSAR.com or click here to visit the Web Portal today.

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

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Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy announced that he will not seek re-election for another four-year term. Duffy announced his decision in a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, where he stated a desire to be closer to home, and to be with his friends and family in Rochester.

Cuomo has not provided any details about who he will choose to succeed Duffy on the ballot in November.

NYSAR is actively working on the legislation below in the New York State Legislature:

Private Well Testing Act (A.1040 – Jaffee). To view NYSAR’s Memorandum in Opposition, click here.

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Last week, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled an ambitious affordable housing plan expected to cost $41.1 billion. The plan calls for the construction of 80,000 affordable housing units and the preservation of 120,000 existing ones over the course of the next decade. 

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The Tuesday, May 20, NYSAR Radio show will cover how to properly utilize the Commission Escrow Act. Tune in at 10 a.m. on May 20 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.

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.

NYSAR has reserved a block of rooms at the Hilton Albany, 40 Lodge St, Albany, NY 12207. This hotel is one block from the Capital and Legislative Office Building. To make a reservation, call 1-866-691-1183 and ask for the New York State Association of REALTORS group or use group code "1REALT." You can also book online at www.Hiltonalbany.com, enter the date, and click check availability. Then, on the right side of the screen enter group code "1REALT" to access the discounted rate. Please book by May 14. 

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.

REALTOR Institute 403 – "Financing to Increase Homeownership" – will be offered May 21 at the LIBOR REALTOR Service Center in Woodbury, NY. This course shows you how to research products, qualify buyers and explain the best financing options for your clients. 

Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 408 – "e-PRO Day One" – will be offered May 22 at the LIBOR REALTOR Service Center in West Babylon, NY. This course covers day one of the two-day e-PRO certification (day two is completed online – additional fee applies). In this program, you’ll focus on the changing market, creating an online presence and managing your online reputation.

Click here for more information or to register.

Online registration is open for the 13^th Annual New York State Commercial Real Estate Conference being held June 2-4 at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY. The event is the largest commercial real estate conference in the Northeast. Come and network with more than 200 commercial real estate practitioners and service providers and; present properties, make deals for you and your clients, lenders on hand to assist in closing your deal, 1031 exchange properties available, and creative financing opportunities. There will also be 15.5 hours of NYS continuing education sessions to select from as well as vendor/sponsor hall filled with all the latest services and products. 

Online registration is available through May 30 by clicking here. For more information and to download a registration form, click here.

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.

This Park Metro Dream Coach tote would make a perfect gift or a special treat to yourself! Bidding closes on Wednesday, May 21. 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.

Congratulations to the Long Island Board of REALTORS on raising $25,000 for RPAC at Belmont Park! It was an exciting day with 220 RPAC investors in attendance. Thank you all for your continued support of RPAC.