J. Gregory Connors of Stillwater, NY, a past NYSAR President, was installed as National Association of REALTORS Region II Vice President during the association's annual meetings in Anaheim, CA on November 14. Region II covers New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Click here for more information.

Congress has reinstated the loan limit formula and maximum cap for Federal Housing Administration-insured loans for two years at 125 percent of local area median home prices, up to a maximum of $729,750 in the highest cost markets. Click here to learn more.

On November 14, the National Association of REALTORS Board of Directors and Delegate Body met during the association's annual meetings in Anaheim, CA. Several recommendations from the Multiple Listing Issues and Policy Committee were adopted as well as changes to the Code of Ethics allowing local boards/associations to require members to use mediation before arbitration. A new Standard of Practice to Article 1 restricts the use of listed or managed property by REALTORS for anything under than what is outlined in the terms or conditions authorized by the owner or seller. The NAR Model Bylaws were also adopted to reflect the change to the Code of Ethics. Click here to learn more.

The New York State Department of State has asked NYSAR to remind its members that real estate licensees must renew their licenses online through eAccesNY, the Division of Licensing Services' license management system. The "User ID" is the licensee's email address and the password is the one originally assigned by the DOS, unless changed by the user. If you do not know your password, simply click on the "Forgot Password" button to receive a new one via email. Click here for eAccessNY FAQs.

According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York State is facing a $35 million shortfall in its current budget. The estimated budget gap for next year appears to have grown as well, to roughly $3-3.5 billion. This number is $1 billion higher than projected during the first quarter of 2011. Click here to learn more.

On Tuesday, November 8, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) debuted two versions of a draft replacement for the HUD-1 Settlement Statement. Included in both versions is an intention to continue the policies of the 2009-10 RESPA reform. Specifically, there is a sheet that allows for a tolerance comparison. Click here to learn more.

In an effort to "go green" and to provide members with the opportunity to choose how they receive New York State REALTOR magazine, you may opt to receive the magazine in a digital format only. If you take no action, you will continue to receive both print and digital versions. Visit http://66.109.41.99/nysarmagpreferences.aspx and select the box to the right to opt-out. Please contact NYSAR at 518-463-0300 with questions.

The 2011 REALTORS Triple Play Convention and Trade Expo will be held December 6-8 in Atlantic City, NJ. With free CE sessions featuring the industry's top speakers, unparalleled networking and referral opportunities, and an expo with the hottest products and services, Triple Play really is the event you can't afford to miss. Click here to learn more.

Short Sales and Foreclosures (SFR) – "What Real Estate Professionals Need to Know" – will be offered December 9 at the Staten Island Board of REALTORS office in Staten Island, NY. This course teaches you how to counsel homebuyers on the perils of risky finance programs. You'll also learn how to develop a plan to mesh foreclosure property into your listing/selling business and work with buyers who want to take advantage of foreclosure properties. Click here for more information or to register.

NYSAR's partnership with MongoFAX gives you free access to their fax-to-email service, which allows you to fax any paper-based document directly to any email address. Click here to learn more.

To kick off the 2012 fundraising year, RPAC will once again be hosting the VIP Lounge at the Triple Play Convention & Trade Expo in Atlantic City on Wednesday, December 7. The lounge will feature food, beverages, laptops, printers, cell phone chargers, newspapers, shoe shine, chair massage, and a happy hour! Click here to learn more.

The November RPAC silent auction item is an L.L. Bean traditional Balsam wreath. Bids must be placed by November 30, at 11:59 p.m. Click here to learn more.