The New York State median home sales price held steady in April at $215,000 compared to April 2013, while the number of closed sales fell by more than 11 percent compared to a year ago, according to the housing market report released by the New York State Association of REALTORS. Sales dropped 1.8 percent compared to the start of 2013. 

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According to the U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook for May recently released by Freddie Mac, regular supply and demand forces continue to produce unexpected results as the housing recovery readies to shift into higher gear during the spring home buying season.

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Reflecting the 11.5-percent growth in home prices last year, income and sales volume jumped for the third year in a row, according to the 2014 National Association of REALTORS Member Profile. The survey also found an increase in new and younger members to NAR in 2013. 

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The Democratic Party nominated their candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and comptroller during their state party convention last week. The Democrat candidate for governor is once again Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The governor has selected Kathy Hochul, former Congresswoman from Buffalo, to run as his lieutenant governor. For attorney general, the party chose current Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. For state comptroller, the nominee is once again Thomas DiNapoli.

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

Sandy Tax Abatement (A.9578 – Silver/S.7257 - Lanza). NYSAR supports this legislation that establishes a partial tax abatement for real property that was repaired and rebuilt following Hurricane Sandy.

Fire Sprinkler Lease Disclosure (A.7641-A – DenDekker/S.5212-A - Flanagan). NYSAR opposes this legislation that requires all residential leases to contain conspicuous notice as to the existence or non-existence of a maintained and operative sprinkler system in leased premises.

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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 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.

The Tuesday, June 3, NYSAR Radio show will be a preview of Lobby Day, happening on June 10, and will feature NYSAR Government Affairs staff. Tune in at 10 a.m. on June 3 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.

Learn how to pay the lowest amount of taxes possible next year by doing a few simple things today. Join NYSAR tomorrow, Wednesday, May 28, at 2:30 p.m. for an exclusive webinar with former IRS trainer, CPA and tax attorney Sandy Botkin. You will learn: how to get your gas for free; how to legally deduct your kids’ video games and ballet lessons; how to write off meals and entertainment; how claiming a home can turbocharge your retirement; how technology has made it easy to become a tax-savvy business owner; and more.

Click here to register now.

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. Come and network with more than 200 commercial real estate practitioners and service providers at the largest commercial real estate conference in the Northeast. Present properties and make deals for you and your clients, with lenders on hand to assist in closing your deal. Learn about 1031 exchange properties available and creative financing opportunities. There will also be 15.5 hours of New York State continuing education sessions to select from as well as a 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.

REALTOR Institute 401 – "Get it Listed...Get it Sold"– will be offered June 4-5 at the Dutchess County Association of REALTORS in Poughkeepsie, 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 403 – "Financing to Increase Homeownership"– will be offered June 5 at the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS in Rochester, NY. This course shows you how to research products, qualify buyers and explain the best financing options for your clients.

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Open enrollment has begun for a July 1 effective date, so now is the time to consider NYSAR’s dental plan and optional vision rider for your insurance needs. Key benefits of United Concordia dental plan include: options to offer you a range in coverage and cost; lower rates with a two-year guarantee; orthodontia coverage; and more. New in 2014, the optional vision rider, administered by Davis Vision, includes: an annual vision exam; annual allowance for glasses or contacts; discounts on disposable contact lenses and laser vision correction; and more.

For more information about the plans and rates, please call 888-834-3713 or visit www.myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar.

TransUnion SmartMove is an easy, comprehensive and reliable web-based tenant background check offering access to a full credit report, criminal report, customized leasing recommendations and suggested deposit amount to request at lease signing. The trusted brand’s process is all online and you pay only when you use it with no set-up, minimum or annual fees. Click here to learn more.

John Vernazza from the State Island Board of REALTORS submitted the high bid of $600 on the May RPAC auction item, the Coach bag. Thank you John for investing in RPAC at the Major Investor level ($1,000) for many years and for serving as SIBOR’s current RPAC chair. The June auction item will be announced in early June.

Hudson Gateway REALTORS raised more than $1,500 this week at their first RPAC Trivia Night, held in Warwick. The event featured food, drinks and plenty of brain-teasing trivia questions. Congratulations to Russ Woolley’s the "Wright" team for winning the trivia challenge. Thank you to all who attended and invested in RPAC.

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