Last week during NYSAR's Fall Business Meetings in Verona, NY, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun presented his New York State housing market and economic forecast, Dawn M. Carpenter of Staten Island, NY was named REALTOR of the Year, and the NYSAR Board of Directors allocated funds for the NYSAR Relief Fund in part to help New York State residents displaced from their homes due to Tropical Storms Irene and Lee. Click here to learn more.

The New York State Association of REALTORS Housing Opportunity Foundation is offering grants to assist first-time homebuyers with closing costs and/or down payments. Click here for more information and an application.

The New York State Real Estate Foundation announced the recipients of the 2011 education scholarships. The full list can be found by clicking here.

In a surprising upset, Republican Candidate Bob Turner defeated Democrat David Weprin in New York's 9th Congressional District race. New York Congressional District 9 was formerly held by Congressman Anthony Weiner and has not been held by a Republican since 1922. Click here for the full Government Affairs weekly update and to learn more.

Don't get caught without flood insurance; tell Congress to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program immediately. Without reauthorization, homebuyers will be left without flood insurance beginning October 1! Click here to take action.

Higher loan limits will expire on September 30 if Congress doesn't act. Please tell Congress to extend higher loan limits now! Click here to take action.

All New York brokers already involved or who join the Broker Involvement Program from now until October 31, 2011, will be entered into a drawing to win a brand new iPad! The drawing will take place the first week of November 2011. Click here to learn more.

Registration is now open for the 11^th annual Triple Play REALTOR Convention & Trade Expo to be held December 6-8, 2011 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ. Registration fees are discounted to $79 for members and $139 for non-members who register online by October 14, 2011. Visit http://www.realtorstripleplay.com for more information or to register.

"Resort and Second Home Markets (RSPS)" will be offered October 5 at the Courtyard by Marriot in Lake Placid, NY. This course will teach you how to effectively assist clients buy and sell in tourist-driven areas and other second-home markets by utilizing community and legal resources, 1031 exchanges and proven marketing techniques. Click here for more information or to register.

"The Americans and International Real Estate (CIPS)" will be offered October 5 at the Long Island REALTOR Service Center in West Babylon, NY. This course provides you with the knowledge, research, network and tools to globalize your business and work with foreign-born buyers. Click here for more information or to register.

"Europe and International Real Estate (CIPS)" will be offered October 6 at the Long Island REALTOR Service Center in West Babylon, NY. This course provides you with the knowledge, research, network and tools to globalize your business and work with European-born buyers. Click here for more information or to register.

"Asia/Pacific International Real Estate (CIPS)" will be offered October 7 at the Long Island REALTOR Service Center in West Babylon, NY. This course provides you with the knowledge, research, network and tools to globalize your business and work with Pacific region and Asian-born buyers. Click here for more information or to register.

The record-breaking, sold-out "REALTORS Got Talent" event, held during the Fall Business Meetings in Verona, NY, raised $20,000 for RPAC, a 33-percent increase over our previous event! Click here to learn more.

NYSAR must receive all contributions to RPAC by Friday, October 7, leaving RPAC of NY less than one month to reach its 2011 fundraising goal of $763,530. To date, RPAC of NY has raised $486,085, which is 64 percent of the 2011 goal. We still have to raise more than $277,000 and we need your help! Click here for more information.