The National Association of REALTORS REALTOR Rally to Protect the American Dream will be held Thursday, May 17, from 9:30 – 11 a.m. The event will now be held at the Washington Monument at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Please register for the rally by clicking here. Click here to learn more.

The New York State Association of REALTORS' Housing Opportunities Foundation (HOF) was recently featured by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) for helping first-time buyers through its $2,000 first-time homebuyer grants program. Click here to learn more.

NYSAR is actively opposing legislation that would require real estate licensees and home inspectors to provide clients with information regarding the importance of well water quality and testing. Click here to view the memorandum in opposition to this legislation. NYSAR is also opposed to a bill that requires sellers of property partially or wholly within five-hundred feet of an agricultural district to provide the agriculture disclosure form to prospective buyers. Click here to view this memorandum in opposition to this bill.

Click here to view the entire Government Affairs Weekly Report.

On Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 11 a.m. NYSAR's government affairs staff will be hosting the free, informative webinar, "NYSAR Pre-Lobby Day Briefing and Overview," covering NYSAR legislative priorities, talking points and more. Click here to learn more.

The Tuesday, May 22, NYSAR Radio show will explore common real estate-related legal disclosures (other than agency disclosures). Tune in at 10 a.m. on May 22 by clicking here. Click here for more information.

NYSAR's annual Lobby Day will be held Tuesday, June 12, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Albany. NYSAR will once again reimburse anyone wishing to participate in Lobby Day 50 percent of your total individual travel costs including gas, tolls, and/or a hotel room up to $75! Click here to learn more.

Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) Required Course– will be offered May 21-22 at the Jackson Heights REALTOR Service Center in Jackson Heights, NY. This course will teach you how to become an efficient and profitable buyer's representative, providing the quality of service and degree of fidelity today's buyers expect. Click here for more information or to register.

Housing Our Military with Excellent Service (HOMES) course – will be offered May 23 – 24 at the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS in Amherst, NY. In this course, you'll learn to identify the special housing needs and motivations of military personnel and veterans. Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 408 – "The Tech Agent" – will be offered May 24 at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS office in Goshen, NY. In this course, you'll discover how to use the latest technology to guide clients through their transaction by remotely accessing data, using mobile presentations, interpreting information and matching client needs with inventory. Click here for more information or to register.

NYSAR's energy partner Energy Plus, an Energy Supply Company (ESCO) has begun decreasing their variable rates for NYSAR members in May in response to decreased prices by utility regions. There is no cost to enroll and there are no monthly fees associated with your account. Click here to learn more about energy competition and frequently asked questions about Energy Plus.

The May RPAC silent auction item is a Brookstone CD/DVD storage system. Bids must be placed by
Thursday, May 31, at 11:59 p.m. Click here to learn more.