The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has updated the manual that insurance companies use to write flood insurance policies. The comprehensive manual provides answers to just about any question a REALTOR may have regarding flood insurance, ranging from how condos are treated to rate tables as revised by the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act enacted earlier this year.

Prior to releasing the new manual, FEMA issued a series of a NFIP iService Bulletins, which are supplemental to the October 1 manual. Presented in one place, these are the key insurance bulletins that implement the rate relief and refund procedures under the new law. Click here to view the updated manual.

As a REALTOR you are a vital and integral part of the community. REALTORS must maintain their commitment to support political candidates that impact public policy for the benefit of the real estate industry and the protection of private property rights. One of the important ways that REALTORS demonstrate this support is by getting out to the polls and vote!

To view the full list of primaries in your area, click here.

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 New York City Council is expected to vote this week on an amended version of Int. 48-A(Cabrera), also known as, the Tenants’ Bill of Rights Law. NYSAR strongly opposed this legislation because it would have required the dissemination and posting of a lengthy Tenants' Bill of Rights upon lease execution. NYSAR successfully advocated for this legislation to be streamlined and amended. The association is pleased with the final version, which removes the landlord’s responsibility to provide the lengthy bill of rights to each tenant.

Click here to learn more.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) issued its final rule to eliminate post-payment interest charges on FHA-insured single family mortgages. Conventional loans, as well as loans from the Veterans Administration’s Loan Guaranty Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service loan program, do not have post-payment interest charges. The policy change will prohibit mortgagees from charging borrowers interest on their home mortgages after a principal balance pay-off. The final rule will go into effect on January 21, 2015. 

Click here to read the final rule.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced there will be $108 million in federal funding to repair and protect the Coney Island Houses public housing development that was damaged by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The joint announcement included a tentative agreement between the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to apply this model to fund repairs and mitigation measures to at least 15 other public housing developments impacted by Sandy. Find more about this funding and the agreement by clicking here.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will debunk popular real estate-related myths. 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.

Dig your old cell phones out of your desk drawers and bring them with you to Turning Stone! The Young Professionals Network will be collecting cell phones to be donated to domestic violence centers across the state during the NYSAR Fall Business Meetings, September 28-October 1. 

This year, the collection has a twist - each region will be competing to see who can collect the most. The collection from each region will be taken back by a representative to be donated locally. The region that collects the most phones will be spotlighted in a future issue of New York State REALTOR magazine.

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 career – that meet the needs of this niche market and win future referrals.

Click here for more information or to register.

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.

Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 404 – "Serving Real Estate Investors" – will be offered September 17 at the Ithaca Board of REALTORS in Ithaca, NY. This course will teach you how to complete financial calculations and explain concepts used in evaluating real estate as an investment. You will learn how to help clients negotiate, purchase, finance, manage and sell commercial investment property.

Click here for more information or to register.

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. 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.

Learn how to pay the least amount of taxes possible next year by doing a few simple things today. Register for the NYSAR and Taxbot webinar on September 18, at 2:30 p.m. for tax tips on travel, medical and auto deductions. You can participate in the webinar using your computer or the GoToWebinar app on your mobile device. Click here for more information and to register.  

The Taxbot mobile app offers you the ability to track business mileage and expenses with your iPhone or Android smartphone or tablet, and turn those expenses into IRS compliant tax deductions. Click here to learn more.

It’s simple, we partner with premier vendors to save you money. With access to exclusive price discounts and special offers, along with a host of additional programs and services, your NYSAR membership can help you do your business better. Take advantage of our partnerships to access: comprehensive insurance options from USI Affinity; E&O coverage from Pearl Insurance; electrical and natural gas supply from Energy Plus; a discount on the Taxbot mobile app; tenant screening discounts from TransUnion SmartMove; shipping discounts from UPS; and much more! Visit the Member Perks section at NYSAR.com for a complete list of NYSAR programs and full details about each program.

Celebrate autumn in style with a new Coach bag! Crafted by hand in elegant artisanal leather, this pared-down silhouette is great for work or weekend, with a secure zip-top and an exterior flap pocket. Bidding closes on Monday, September 22.

Click here to learn more.

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!