After three consecutive months of solid gains, pending home sales slowed modestly in June, according to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings in June, fell 1.1 percent to 102.7. In the Northeast, the index fell 2.9 percent to 83.8 in June, 3.2 percent below a year ago.

To read the entire NAR press release, click here.

NYSAR recently released its fourth infographic, titled "New York REALTORS save you money," which highlights the REALTOR victories in Albany that have helped keep homeownership affordable and attainable for all New Yorkers. NYSAR’s infographics are available to download in both jpeg and PDF formats on the Infographics page of NYSAR.com.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced the "second wave" of businesses that will either expand or locate in New York as a result of the SUNY Tax-free Areas to Revitalize and Transform Upstate NY (START-UP NY) program. The START-UP NY program creates tax free communities (no sales, property, or business/corporate taxes, nor employee income taxes) for businesses partnered with eligible institutions of higher education in New York. In this wave, five businesses will expand or locate in Binghamton and eight will do the same in Western New York in these academic affiliated tax free areas. The businesses are projected by the governor’s office to invest $2.4 million and $9.9 million respectively. To read more on the announcement, click here and here.

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman recently announced that $20 million would be available for a second competitive round of land bank funding to counties, towns and cities. The funding, in addition to $13 million allocated in October 2013, was made through the 2012 National Mortgage Settlement and will be administered by the attorney general.

For more information, click here.

The New York State Board of Elections (BOE) has, upon review of the attorney general, approved language of three propositions that will be before New York voters in the statewide fall elections. Click here for the BOE’s synopsis of the three propositions. Click here to learn more.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will take a look at both environmental issues as well as disclosures other than agency. 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.

2015 NYSAR committee service sign-up has been extended through the end of this week. This is your last chance to get involved and help guide the future of your state association. Committee sign up will be available online only until Friday, August 8, at NYSAR.com.

Click here to learn more and to sign up.

CRS – "Silver Bullet Solutions" – will be offered August 12 at the REALTOR Service Center in Woodbury, NY. This course will teach you to handle the most difficult buyer and seller challenges in today’s market.

Click here to watch a video about the Silver Bullet Solutions course. Call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 x219 to register today. Click here for more information.

"Global Real Estate: Local Markets (CIPS)" will be offered August 12 at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in White Plains, NY. This course will show you how to connect to foreign buyers and help you uncover global opportunities in your local market.

Click here for more information or to register.

"Global Real Estate: Transaction Tools (CIPS)" will be offered August 13 at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in White Plains, NY. This course explains the concepts and tools required to serve clients in a global market including: how to research markets; convert metric measures; monitor currency trends; and alert clients to tax and visa matters effecting their transactions.

Click here for more information or to register.

By popular demand, the deadline for enrollment in NYSAR’s dental plan with optional vision rider has been extended until August 31. After August 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.

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.

The Long Island Board of REALTORS (LIBOR) raised more than $2,800 for RPAC last week during their "REALTORS Got Talent" fundraising event held in Patchogue. Thank you to the slate of performers who loaned their talents to the evening and to the nearly 90 attendees who gave their time and invested generously in RPAC.

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.