REALTORS from across New York State will travel to Albany today to show their support for an extension of the state’s successful property tax cap, which has helped make homeownership more affordable for both new and long-time New York homeowners. Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan will also speak during the event, which begins 9 a.m. in Meeting Room 6 at the Empire State Plaza. 

Additionally, REALTORS will be discussing other key issues including: a proposed tax credit for the installation of a residential sprinkler system; the codification of real estate teams in New York’s Real Property Law; greater transparency in the cooperative apartment buying process; first-time homebuyer programs; and opposition to all increases in real estate transfer taxes. Learn more here. Also, don’t forget to include the hashtag #NYSARLobbyDay when posting photos and comments on social media! You can also follow NYSAR Government Affairs on Twitter.

The recent May Jobs Report showed employers added 280,000 jobs last month, which hints that there will be no slowdown in job growth anytime soon. REALTOR.com Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke said this was a good affirmation that indeed the economy is back on a positive track and that it is also very positive for housing.

Learn more here.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo released a report on Wednesday, June 3, detailing savings to taxpayers as a result of the state’s property tax cap, which was passed in 2011. The report analyzes the first three years that the cap was in effect. It concludes that the typical property tax payer saved more than $800 during those first three years and projects a savings of $2,100 in local property taxes by 2017.

NYSAR played a pivotal role in establishing a property tax cap and continues to support tax relief for property owners. Additional data, including estimated cumulative savings by county, can be found here.

On Wednesday, June 3, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced that it would be "sensitive" to companies that make a good-faith effort to comply with the new Truth in Lending Act and Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act Integrated Disclosure (TRID) regulation that goes into effect on August 1, 2015. The announcement by CFPB is a net win but less than what some members of Congress requested, which was a hard deadline, five-month testing or "grace" period. 

Learn more here.

Stay up-to-date on NYSAR Government Affairs news and events by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Tuesday, June 16, NYSAR Radio show will cover disclosures other than agency. Tune in at 10 a.m. on June 16 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.

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

In honor of June being NYSAR Housing Opportunities Month and in an effort to raise awareness for housing opportunities in New York State, the NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation has made a goal of raising $5,000, which goes directly to its First-time Homebuyer Grant Program. Donor recognition will be prominently displayed on NYSARHousingFoundation.com, in an upcoming issue of New York State REALTOR magazine, on the foundation's Facebook page and at the NYSAR Fall Business Meetings. Learn more about the foundation's efforts, and donate here.

The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) course will be offered June 18-19 at the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS in Amherst, NY. Become a proficient and profitable buyer’s representative, serving with quality, fidelity and confidence.

Register online today or call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 x219. Find more information here.

Don’t miss NYSAR’s Legal Update webinar presented by NYSAR Director of Legal Services Anthony Gatto, Esq. on June 18 at 2:30 p.m. The webinar will cover recent court and DOS decisions relating to commissions, fair housing and unlicensed individuals. Teams and broker rebates will also be discussed. Register today!

The Short Sales and Foreclosures (SFR) course will be offered on June 26 at the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS in Johnson City, NY. Maneuver the complexities of short sales and help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities. This course is the SFR requirement and also provides elective credit for the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation.

Register online today or call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 x219. Find more information here.

The open enrollment period for NYSAR’s dental plan has begun, and there’s never been a better time to re-evaluate your dental and vision coverage. Administered by USI Affinity and now underwritten by MetLife, the NYSAR dental plan offers: options for a range in coverage and cost; third straight year of no rate increases; coverage for individuals and families; freedom to visit any dentist, in or out-of-network; and coverage for orthodontia.

Through this new partnership with MetLife, vision coverage is now being offered as a standalone option in addition to being an optional rider on the dental policy. Visit the Insurance page of NYSAR.com or all USI Affinity’s dedicated sales representative Ned Cox at 888.834.3713 for more information.

With this money- and potentially life-saving benefit, you have the opportunity to evaluate your risk for several of today's most critical - and often undiagnosed - health conditions. Held in convenient neighborhood or corporate settings across New York State, Life Line Screening offers painless, non-invasive screenings for strokes, aneurysms and other vascular diseases. 

The four-screening stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm package ($240 value) is available at special NYSAR pricing of $135. Keep in mind, these same tests would likely cost more than $1,000 at a hospital.Call 800-636-0248 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/nysar for more information or to find a screening near you.

It’s time to enjoy the great outdoors by gathering around a cozy fire. Picture your family and friends around this fire pit, roasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories and consuming a few refreshing beverages! Screen, fire poker tool and PVC cover included. Bidding closes Monday, June 22.

Visit the RPAC page of NYSAR.com to learn more.

Local boards across the state have been busy hosting local RPAC events this spring! Already, local boards have raised more than $54,000 for RPAC. From Greater Rochester’s March Madness to Greater Syracuse’s Cooking for RPAC, Columbia Greene’s wine tasting, LIBOR’s Day at the Races, Greater Capital’s Bowling for RPAC and Hudson Gateway’s Mr. Legs Pageant and casual mixers, REALTORS have come out to support RPAC in their communities. View the calendar of RPAC events to be held over the next several weeks. Watch a video update of local board/association RPAC fundraisers featuring NYSAR Political Affairs Coordinator Derick King.