E-News
New York State Association of REALTORS
September 30, 2010
Statewide sales of existing single-family homes in New York State increased in August from July by 3.7 percent, but remained 30-percent below the August 2009 total, according to the preliminary single-family sales data accumulated by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The data also showed strong median price growth compared to both last month and August 2009.
New York REALTORS sold 6,062 existing single-family homes in New York State during August 2010, a 3.7-percent increase compared to the July total of 5,843. The August 2010 sales total was 30-percent below the August 2009 total of 8,653.
The New York State August 2010 median sales price of $240,000 represents an increase of 9.1 percent compared to the July 2010 median of $220,000 and an increase of 20 percent from the August 2009 median of $200,000.
According to The Tax Foundation, recent data released by the U.S. Census Bureau on owner-occupied housing shows that the highest property taxes are paid in New York and that New York State as a whole ranks number four in highest property taxes.
Of the top 10 counties in terms of median real estate taxes paid for 2009 throughout the country, three were from New York State.
Click here to learn more.
RPAC Fair Share Day is September 30, and our goal is to get every single member to make his or her "Fair Share" contribution. For REALTORS in New York, our "fair share" is just $20. A contribution to RPAC, even a small one, is one of the best investments you'll ever make in your profession. If you haven't made your "Fair Share" contribution, please do so today! Click here to make a donation now!
October 15 marks the final day to make your donation to RPAC for 2010. Each week until that date, NYSAR will feature a different RPAC donor and include their personal reasons for contributing. This week, the spotlight is on Walt Christensen, a Sterling R Program donor.
Click here to read his story.
Minutes from the Fall Business Meetings held this month in Rye Brook are now available online in the REALTOR Resources section of NYSAR.com. The Association Update videos including the NAR Update, REALTOR of the Year presentation and ReBar Camp Update are now available in NYSAR's Media Center. Also, be sure to check out NYSAR's Media Center for podcasts including the presentation from the International Real Estate Committee and Resort and Second-home Forum and the Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee meeting presentation, also in the Media Center.
Click here to go to the Meetings and Minutes page.
Click here to go to NYSAR's Media Center.
The more you ship, the more you save with UPS
Take advantage of NYSAR's partnership with UPS to save as much as 30 percent on your shipping costs. To enroll, visit www.savewithups.com/enroll and enter NYSAR offer code NER206. Or, call 800.325.7000.
New York State's housing agencies have approved a total of $263.1 million in financing and grants to build and renovate affordable housing, promote business development and create jobs. The first award is $258.4 million from the boards of the New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) and the Affordable Housing Corporation to create and preserve 1,347 units of housing. The second award is more than $4.7 million from the board of the Housing Trust Fund Corporation through New York State's Subprime Foreclosure Prevention Services Program and Community Development Block Grant Program.
To read the entire press release by the HFA and see a list of approved projects, click here.
The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) is sponsoring the 2010 REALTOR Party Video Contest in support of the REALTOR Action Center. NAR is asking you to share your stories of how the REALTOR Party has helped your clients, your community or your business. Entry deadline is October 16.
Click here to learn more.
The New York State Association of REALTORS recently launched the NYSAR Chapter of the REALTOR Magazine Young Professionals Network (YPN).
The NYSAR YPN was established as a component of NYSAR's growing effort to: engage a more diverse membership including underrepresented age groups; provide opportunities for younger REALTORS to network on a state level; identify topics of interest for future education offerings targeted to younger REALTORS; and encourage the awareness of and participation in securing REALTOR interests through RPAC and Calls for Action.
Please note: While most members of YPN are under 40, there is no age restriction whatsoever. Any REALTOR who thinks he or she would benefit from membership is welcome to join.
The My NYSAR applications for both the iPhone and Blackberry are now available. The apps make it easy for REALTORS on the go to access the many resources NYSAR has available, right on your smartphone.
The iPhone app can be found by searching keyword "NYSAR" in the Apple iTunes store, while the Blackberry app can be downloaded directly from NYSAR.com.
For more information on the app and to view download instructions, click here.
