A draft of the proposed advertising regulations was scheduled to be voted on by the New York State Board of Real Estate (SBRE) on March 14, 2013. Due to a scheduling issue, the March 14, 2013 meeting was postponed until April 24, 2013.

Click here to learn more.

In its U.S. Foreclosures Market Report for February 2013, RealtyTrac Inc. reported New York State had 3,466 total foreclosures, an 18.74-percent increase from January and a 96.82-percent increase from February 2012.

Click here to learn more.

For the third straight year, the New York State Legislature is expected to pass an early budget for the state fiscal year beginning April 1. The Senate and Assembly drafted thousands of pages of budget bills last week and began debating and negotiating their priorities in a process expected to culminate with the release of a final budget proposal before Friday, March 29.

Click here to learn more.

NYSAR is actively working on the below legislation in the New York State Legislature:

· Private Well Testing Act (A.1040 - Jaffee). To view NYSAR's memorandum in opposition, click here.
· Schoharie County Mortgage Recording Tax (S.4020 Seward). To view NYSAR's memorandum in opposition, click here.
· Yonkers Mortgage Recording Tax (S.4116 - Stewart-Cousins). To view NYSAR's memorandum in opposition, click here.
· Vested Rights for Property Owners (A.494 - Paulin/S.2565 - Ball). To view NYSAR's memorandum in support, click here.

Click here to learn more.

The New York City Council has adopted the nation's most far-reaching measure to protect out-of-work job applicants from discrimination, allowing job-seekers to sue if they believe they have been rejected because of their current unemployed status. City Council members overrode a mayoral veto to pass the measure that bans unemployment discrimination. The new law will take effect in three months. To read the full text of the legislation, click here.

The first quarter edition of Legal Lines is now available on NYSAR.com. This issue features a New York State case involving a brokerage attempting to collect commission for out-of-state sales. It also covers a case in which a broker allowed his office to be used by a non-licensee, which resulted in the public being misled. National cases include one from Iowa involving the court deciding when a commission is earned. Department of State fourth quarter 2012 administrative law judge decisions are also included. Click here to read the first quarter edition of Legal Lines.

Today's NYSAR Radio show will cover agency issues, specifically related to seller's agents. Tune in at 10 a.m. on today by using the player on the NYSAR Radio page or click here to listen on your Apple computer. You will need to be logged in to listen. If you have not yet created your account with the website, you will need to click on "New User" on the Member Login page and follow the prompts.

Click here for more information as well as a list of links to play NYSAR Radio from any of your mobile devices.

NYSAR has partnered with local boards and associations to offer RI402 - "Real Estate Issues - Not Knowing Can Be Dangerous" - in 14 locations around New York State in 2013. Each class will be free to members who register for another REALTOR Institute course, a $225 value. This is a limited-time offer for currently scheduled classes only, while space is available. Call 800-239-4332 to register today.

REALTOR Institute 404 - "Serving Real Estate Investors" - will be offered March 25 at the Elmira-Corning Regional Board of REALTORS in Corning, NY. This course will teach you how to complete financial calculations, explain concepts used in evaluating real estate as an investment, and help clients negotiate, purchase, finance, manage and sell commercial and/or investment property.

Click here for more information or to register.

The Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) course will be offered March 26-27 at the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS in Johnson City, NY. This course helps you develop the business-building skills and resources for specialization in the senior real estate market by: expanding your knowledge of how life stages impact real estate choices; connecting you to a network of resources; and fostering empathy.

Click here for more information or to register.

Now is the time for you to join thousands of customers who are energizing their home while enjoying a cash back rewards program. The New York State Association of REALTORS is partnered with Energy Plus, one of the fastest growing energy supply companies, to help you get the most out of your energy bills. 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!

As of Wednesday, March 6, 2013, NYSAR's partnership with MongoFAX was discontinued due to the company going out of business. Unfortunately, NYSAR was not given any advance notice of the company's decision to shut down and, therefore, could not pass along this news until now. Alternative fax-to-email vendors will be considered as replacement partners for this type of service.

The March RPAC silent auction item is the Sharper Image Travel Charging Kit. The kit allows you to charge up to three electronic devices at once including iPads, iPhones, including iPhone 5, iPods, smartphones, laptops, e-readers, MP3 players and more. The RPAC monthly auction items will now be open for a two-week period instead of the full four weeks. As a result, bidding on the March auction item closes tomorrow, Wednesday, March 20.

Click here to learn more.