New York State January 2011 home sales decreased by 3.7 percent from January 2010, while improving 18 percent from two years ago, according to preliminary single-family sales data accumulated by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The statewide median sales price continued the 2010 stabilization trend.

New York REALTORS sold 4,479 existing single-family homes in New York State during January 2011, a 3.7-percent decrease compared to the January 2010 sales total of 4,653 and 28-percent behind December's 6,218 total. The January 2011 sales total was 18-percent above the January 2009 total of 3,797.

The January 2011 statewide median sales price of $227,000 represents a decrease of 1.3 percent compared to the January 2010 median of $230,000, while posting a 2.3-percent increase from December 2010.

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The National Association of REALTORS is currently accepting applications for the 12th annual REALTOR Magazine Good Neighbor Awards. The awards recognize REALTORS for their dedication to volunteer service.

Five winners will be announced in the November issue of REALTOR Magazine. Each winner will be recognized at the 2011 REALTORS Conference & Expo in Anaheim, Calif., and receive a $10,000 grant for his or her charity. Winners will also receive travel expenses to the conference and national and local media exposure for their community cause. In addition to the winners, five honorable mentions will each receive a $2,500 grant.

Good Neighbor Awards entries must be received by Friday, May 20, 2011. For more details and a nomination form, call 800-874-6500, visit www.REALTOR.org/gna, or see the March issue of REALTOR Magazine.

In its year-end and fourth quarter 2010 U.S. Foreclosure Sales Report, which reports total number of foreclosed home sales as well as average sales price of these properties, RealtyTrac, Inc. reported New York State total foreclosure sales decreased from 2008 and 2009. The report, which was released Thursday, February 24, showed that sales of these properties during the fourth quarter also decreased from the third quarter as well as the 2009 fourth quarter. The average annual sales price of these homes was 23.17-percent lower than non-foreclosure sales.

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The following statement was released on Friday, February 25 by NYSAR CEO Duncan MacKenzie:

"The Tax Foundation's report released yesterday showing New York as having the second highest combined state and local tax burden is yet again a clarion call for a property tax cap and mandate relief now. The report cited New York as one of only 3 states in the entire nation to have a combined tax burden of 12 percent or more of income in 2009. New York State's 52,000 REALTORS renew their call for immediate and lasting property tax relief through enactment of a tax cap. The evidence mounts daily for its unanimous approval."

To read the Tax Foundation's report, click here.

NYSAR Radio, a new, free service being offered exclusively to NYSAR members, will premiere Tuesday, March 1, from 2-3 p.m. The Internet-based, live call-in show is an extension of NYSAR's widely used free Legal Hotline and will be hosted by NYSAR Director of Legal Services S. Anthony Gatto, Esq. During the show, members will have the opportunity to call and ask their real estate-related legal questions. The ultimate goal of the show is to assist the member making the call and to educate all listening members.

For more information about NYSAR Radio, please click here.