The New York State Court of Appeals will weigh the right of local governments to ban the natural gas drilling process of hydraulic fracturing. The court will review two lawsuits that could determine whether localities can ban the controversial natural gas drilling technique.

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In its July 2013 U.S. Residential & Foreclosure Sales Report, RealtyTrac. Inc. reported that New York State residential properties sold at an estimated annualized pace of 147,120 in July, up 3 percent from June 2013, but down 2 percent from the same time last year.

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Pending home sales were down in July, with higher mortgage rates slowing the market, according to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings in July, declined 1.3 percent to 109.5. In the Northeast, the index fell 6.5 percent to 81.5 in July, but is 3.3 percent higher than a year ago.

To read the entire NAR press release, click here.

The New York State Court of Appeals will weigh the right of local governments to ban the natural gas drilling process of hydraulic fracturing. The court will review two lawsuits that could determine whether localities can ban the controversial natural gas drilling technique.

Click here to learn more.

Several polls released last week show Public Advocate Bill de Blasio as the front-runner in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. In the race for New York City Comptroller, former governor Elliot Spitzer and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer were tied among likely Democratic primary voters in one poll and separated by only 3 percentage points in another, with Spitzer taking the lead.

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Please join us during the Legislative Policy Forum on Monday, September 30, from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for a panel discussing updates and reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). All attendees are welcome to attend this session, which will include a panel comprised of experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Association of REALTORS. 

Click here to learn more.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will cover the topic of fair housing. Tune in at 10 a.m. this morning on your PC or Mac by using the player on the NYSAR Radio page. 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.

The third quarter edition of Legal Linesis now available on NYSAR.com. This issue features a New York State case involving a broker unable to reapply for a real estate license due to failure to pay a judgement. It also covers a case in which the court ruled proof of agreement was required for a commission and one in which a salesperson’s license was suspended for an improper listing. National cases include one from Nevada involving a wind turbine ruled to be a nuisance and one regarding copyright infringement. Department of State second quarter 2013 administrative law judge decisions are also included.

Click here to read the third quarter of Legal Lines.

The NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation will be raffling off a prize worth more than $1,200! The winner will enjoy a two night stay at The Lodge at Turning Stone as well as a complimentary round of golf for two or spa treatments at Skana worth $210. And to top it off, the winner will receive a $200 American Express gift card to use during their stay. The winner will be announced during the Board of Directors meeting at the Fall Business Meetings. A special thanks to our generous sponsor, The Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Some restrictions apply. Click here for a flyer with full details.

REALTOR Institute 406 – "Price it Right – Understanding the Appraisal Process" – will be offered September 12 at the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS Design Center in Rochester, NY. This course teaches you the role and responsibilities of the appraiser in order to foster a smooth real estate transaction and offer your clients a higher level of professionalism. 

Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 408 – "e-PRO Day One" – will be offered September 12 at the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS in Syracuse, NY. This new addition to the GRI program covers day one of the two-day e-PRO certification (day two is completed online – additional fee applies). In this program, you’ll focus on the changing market, creating an online presence and managing your online reputation.

Click here for more information or to register.

CRS – "Silver Bullet Solutions" – will be offered September 26 at the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS in Amherst, NY. This course will teach you to handle the most difficult buyer and seller challenges in today’s market. 

Click here to watch a video about the Silver Bullet Solutions course. Call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 x219 to register today. Click here for more information.

The New York State Association of REALTORSwill hold its annual Fall Business Meetings from September 29 to October 2 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. NYSAR encourages all members to participate as many of the sessions do not require official committee service.

For more information or to register for the meetings, click here.

Time Warner Cable recognizes the vital connection you provide to their potential customers and wants to reward you for your referrals. To get started, you first need permission from your broker to present clients with this opportunity. Then, register yourself and gain access to the online referral portal. Your clients will appreciate the time-saving concierge services and a free standard installation, while you earn award points that can be redeemed for thousands of exciting awards, such as electronics, travel awards and luxury gifts, or even donated to charity. You can even choose to use your points to make donations to either the NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation or New York State Real Estate Education Foundation (NYSREEF).

For more information or register as a referrer, visit www.twcablerealty.com/nysar.Click here to watch a brief video about the program.

Your NYSAR membership gives you an extra 10-percent discount at NAR's REALTOR.org store. Shop the store and take advantage of exclusive savings on NAR's entire line of products and publications including books, brochures, DVDs, research reports and more. To redeem your 10-percent discount, visit http://www.realtor.org/store and simply enter member code "NYSAR2" at checkout.

Register now for RPAC’s "Monday Night Fever – A Flashback to the 1970s" fundraising event, happening Monday, September 30, from 7-11 p.m. at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY. Tickets cost $50 each and will be applied toward your 2013 RPAC investment total. Click here for more information.

Join your colleagues from across the Metro region for an elite RPAC experience at Modell’s Clubhouse at Citi Field for the New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals game on Tuesday, September 10. The RPAC experience at Modell’s includes: a ticket to the game and private access to the Modell’s Clubhouse; the ballpark buffet; and private bar service with complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks. *This RPAC event is open to the members of NYSAR’s Metropolitan Region including: Bronx-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan and Staten Island. 

For complete details and registration instructions, click here.