In its July 2014 U.S. Residential & Foreclosures Sales Report, RealtyTrac Inc. reported that New York State residential properties sold at an estimated annualized pace of 150,043 in July. This is 2.09 percent below June’s total and down 5.17 percent from July 2013. The median sales price for New York was $329,600 in July, a 1-percent increase from June and up 14 percent from a year ago.

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Sales of new single-family homes in the Northeast in July fell 30.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted rate of 18,000, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. June’s revised annual rate was 26,000.

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The New York State Association of REALTORSwill hold its annual Fall Business Meetings from September 28 to October 1 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. The deadline to reserve your hotel room using the discounted room rate has been extended through this Friday, September 5.  

NYSAR encourages all members to participate as many of the sessions do not require official committee service. For more information or to register for the meetings, click here.

The New York State Department of State has amended the broker record retention rule to clarify and simplify the types of records that need to be maintained by licensed real estate brokers in New York. The Notice of Adoption was published on July 30, and will become effective on October 15, 2014. 

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The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has dismissed a complaint filed by a member who objected that the dues she paid to the National Association of REALTORS, the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS, and the Berkshire County Board of REALTORS were being used for political purposes. 

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced a redesign of their Map Service Center (MSC). In addition to a streamlined and intuitive user interface, the upgraded MSC provides a number of new features and benefits to the public. For a summary of changes, click here for the new FEMA Flood Map Service Center factsheet.

FEMA is encouraging all users to try out the new site and provide them with any feedback you may have related to the redesign.

The Tuesday, September 9, NYSAR Radio show will debunk popular real estate-related myths. Tune in at 10 a.m. on September 9 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 NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation will be raffling off a prize worth more than $1,200! The winner will enjoy a two-night stay at The Lodge at Turning Stone as well as a complimentary round of golf for two or spa treatments at Skana worth $210. And to top it off, the winner will receive a $200 American Express gift card to use during their stay. The winner will be announced during the Board of Directors meeting at the Fall Business Meetings. A special thanks to our generous sponsor, The Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Some restrictions apply. Enter between now and September 30. Click here for a flyer with full details.

The Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) course will be offered September 10-11 at the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS in Rochester, NY. This course helps you develop the business-building skills and resources for specialization in the senior real estate market by: expanding your knowledge of how life stages impact real estate choices; connecting you to a network of resources; and fostering empathy.

Click here for more information or to register.

The Military Relocation Professional (MRP) core course will be offered September 16 at the Jefferson Lewis Board of REALTORS in Watertown, NY. Learn how to provide the real estate services – at any stage in the service member’s military career – that meet the needs of this niche market and win future referrals.

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REALTOR Institute 405 – "Construction and Environmental Issues" – will be offered September 17 at the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS in Johnson City, 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.

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NYSAR wants to remind you to stay safe no matter where the job takes you. Members receive an exclusive discount that saves you 10 percent on the Guardly Mobile Safety App, whichallows you to instantly connect with managers, colleagues, family and 9-1-1 when faced with safety concerns. 

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With this money-and potentially life-saving benefit, you have the opportunity to evaluate your risk for several of today's most critical - and often undiagnosed - healthcare conditions. Held in convenient neighborhood or corporate settings across New York State, Life Line Screening offers painless, non-invasive screenings for strokes, aneurysms and other vascular diseases. 

The 4-screening stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm package ($240 value) is available at special NYSAR pricing of $135. Keep in mind, these same tests would likely cost more than $1,000 at a hospital.Call 800-636-0248 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/nysar for more information or to find a screening near you.

RPAC of New York is hosting the "LOL Stand-Up Comedy Night" fundraising event on Monday, September 29, from 7:30-11 p.m. during the NYSAR Fall Business Meetings at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. Enjoy a night of comedy, a ventriloquist, and live and silent auctions - all in the name of RPAC! Tickets cost $50 each and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to view a flyer about the event. 

Register online to attend NYSAR’s Fall Business Meetings and the RPAC fundraising event today. Or, simply download, complete and return the registration form to NYSAR via fax or mail.

We are seeking auction item donations to be featured in RPAC’s LOL Stand-Up Comedy Night fundraising event. If local boards or individual members would like to donate auction items, please contact Derick King at dking@nysar.com or 518-463-0300 x238 with a description of the item and the value by Monday, September 22. Local boards & individual members will receive RPAC credit for auction item donations!