The
Federal Aviation Administration released a clarification of its decision to
regulate the use of drones (or Unmanned Arial Vehicles, UAVs, model aircraft)
in commercial applications. The FAA determined that use of a drone by
REALTORS to take photographs of a property would not qualify for the hobby or
recreational use exemptions. As such, REALTORS utilizing a drone for any
business purpose would be subject to all existing FAA rules and
regulations. Any REALTOR choosing to continue such a practice is doing so
at his/her own risk.
The document released by the FAA, dated June 14,
2014, can be found on NYSAR.com by clicking
here. Click here to learn more.
In its May 2014 U.S. Residential & Foreclosures Sales
Report, RealtyTrac Inc. reported that New York State residential properties
sold at an estimated annualized pace of 160,966 in May, up 0.37 percent from
April and up 5.4 percent from one year ago. The median sales price for New York
was $348,450 in May, a 2-percent increase from April and up 28 percent from a
year ago.
Click here to learn more.
Residents
in 10 of New York's 27 congressional districts voted last week in primaries for
districts ranging from the Southern Tier to the Hudson Valley, the North
Country, New York City and the eastern tip of Long Island. To see the full
list of results, click here.
The New York
City Council approved a $75 billion operating budget late last week with a vote
of 50-0. The spending plan reflects a 7-percent increase over last year.
In recent months, the city council added $236 million in new initiatives
including $18 million for daycare programs and vouchers, $10.9 million for CUNY
scholarships, $4.9 million to hire lawyers for immigrants facing deportation,
monies for 200 more police officers on the street, and free lunch for all
middle school students.
The
city fiscal year begins today, July 1. Click here for more information on the budget.
The state Senate’s Independent Democratic Conference
(IDC) announced last week that it intends to form a new coalition with the
mainline Democrats for the 2015-16 legislative session. According to a
joint press release issued by Senate IDC leader Senator Jeff Klein and Gov.
Andrew Cuomo, the new Senate coalition will mirror the current IDC-Republican
majority coalition. Both Senator Klein and
Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins would each have to sign off
on bills before they could come to the floor for a vote.
Click
here to learn more.
The
New York City Council has issued a study and press release supporting the use
of eminent domain to take underwater mortgages. Under the proposed plan,
city government would purchase the mortgages from banks and refinance them to
match the home's value in an attempt to prevent foreclosure. NYSAR and
NAR are strongly opposed to this proposal.
Click here to learn more.
The
Tuesday, July 8, NYSAR Radio show will cover antitrust issues.
Tune in at 10 a.m. on July 8 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.
Get involved and help guide the future of your state
association by signing up for 2015 committee
service. Committee sign up will be available online only between July 1 and
July 31 at NYSAR.com.
Click here to learn more and to sign up.
REALTOR
Institute 405 – "Construction & Environmental Issues" – will be offered
July 14 at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in Goshen, NY. This
course provides an in-depth understanding of the physical structure and systems
in a home, in addition to energy efficiency and energy rating systems.
Click here for more information or to register.
"Global Real Estate: Local Markets," a Certified
International Property Specialist (CIPS) course, will be offered July 16 at the
Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in White Plains, NY. This course will
show you how to connect with foreign buyers and uncover global opportunities in
your local market.
Click here for more information or to register.
This is your final chance to enroll in NYSAR’s dental
plan with optional vision rider for your insurance needs. After July 31, you
will have to wait until next summer to enroll. 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.
Thank
you NYSAR CEO Duncan MacKenzie for submitting the high bid of $701 on the June
RPAC auction item, the outside fire pit. Thank you Duncan for your commitment
to RPAC as a Golden R and President’s Circle investor and as a member of the
RPAC of New York Hall of Fame. Stay tuned for the July RPAC auction item, to be
announced after the July 4 holiday!
The
summer fundraising season is in full swing! Find out which boards across the
state are busy holding RPAC fundraising events in the coming weeks and months by clicking here.
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