With the need for a budget deal only days away, please make sure you have completed the NAR Call for Action telling Congress to do no harm to housing by protecting the mortgage interest deduction (MID). Please respond to the Call for Action now if you haven’t already by clicking here.

The New York State Real Estate Education Foundation is currently accepting applications for the Next Generation Scholarship. This fund awards scholarships for higher education to the next generation of real estate professionals. Eligibility is limited to relatives of active NYSAR members living in New York State.

Click here to learn more. 

In its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for November 2012, RealtyTrac Inc. reported New York State had 3,719 total foreclosures, a 1.95-percent increase from October and a 134.34-percent increase from November 2011.

Click here to learn more. 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has vetoed a bill sponsored by Republican Senator Mark Grisanti that would raise the current $5 million tax credit available for certain historic property rehabilitations to $12 million. In his veto message, the governor indicated his support for the concept of the bill, but he ultimately decided to veto the measure due to the fiscal impact on the state. 

Click here to learn more.

Trailing by more than 2,100 votes, state Senator Stephen Saland (R-Poughkeepsie) conceded the race in New York’s 41st Senate District to Democratic challenger Terry Gipson last week.

Click here to learn more.

Arguments over disputed ballots in the 46th Senate District race between Republican George Amedore and Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk ended last week in Montgomery County Supreme Court.

Click here to learn more.

NYSAR’s Code of Ethics and Professional Standards Training will be offered January 16 at the DoubleTree Hotel in East Syracuse, NY. This course provides attendees with an update on professional standards, Code of Ethics and enforcement procedures, plus other changes adopted by NAR's Board of Directors or Delegate Body. It also satisfies both NAR's new member and quadrennial ethics training requirement.

Click here for more information or to register.

Now is the time to take advantage of your exclusive member rewards. The New York State Association of REALTORS has partnered with Energy Plus, one of the fastest growing energy supply companies. With this unique electricity and natural gas program you can receive cash back, and have the opportunity to go green, all while receiving the same reliable delivery service from your local utility company.

Switching is easy. There are no sign-up fees, cancellation fees or long-term commitments. Plus nothing about the way your service is delivered will change.

Click here to learn more or to sign up today!

Access affordable, exclusive voluntary products including accident, disability, cancer, critical illness, term-life and universal life insurance from Allstate. You can select the plans you need or bundle them together to enhance your coverage. This plan can be used as a supplement to the major medical plan or on its own.

To learn more or get a customized quote, call 888-834-3713 x18626 or visit www.MyRealtorInsurance.com/NYSAR.

The 2013 RPAC fundraising and participation goals for local boards have been set. Once again, the fundraising goals are based upon NAR’s formula of $15 per member based on the October 31 membership count.

Click here to learn more.