New-home sales will likely have one of their best years in a decade, said National Association of REALTORS Chief Economist Lawrence Yun in a recent column on Forbes.com. A "massive housing shortage" is prompting homebuilders to ramp up construction on new homes this year and next. Learn more here.

A growing share of homebuyers are millennials, and more of them are purchasing single-family homes outside of urban areas, according to the 2016 National Association of REALTORS Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends study.The share of millennials buying in an urban or central city area decreased to 17 percent (21 percent a year ago) in this year’s survey, and fewer of them (10 percent) purchased a multifamily home compared to a year ago (15 percent). Learn more here.

NYSAR’s annual Lobby Day is Tuesday, May 24, 2016 in Albany. This year, we will be advocating for a statewide first-time homebuyer savings account program, among other NYSAR legislative priorities. For those traveling to Albany the day prior, a block of rooms at the new Renaissance Albany Hotel, located across the street from the NYS Capitol Building, has been set aside until April 23. The rate is $179. To reserve a room, call 518-992-2500 and use our room block code SAR, or enter the online group code: SARSARA. NYSAR will reimburse up to $75 per person for travel expenses to Albany for Lobby Day. NYSAR also reimburses local boards half the cost to lease mass transportation to Lobby Day. NYSAR will provide breakfast, lunch, lobbying orientation and lobbying materials.

NYSAR’s first-time homebuyer savings program proposal (A.4427-A/S.6548) gained sponsors in both the Assembly and Senate from Assemblyman Phil Ramos (Long Island) and Senator Marc Panepinto (Buffalo). NYSAR’s agency education bill (A.9474), which would require two hours of agency-related coursework in a licensee’s initial two-year licensing term, has been introduced by Assemblymember Helene Weinstein, Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. NYSAR will continue to support these bills and encourage state lawmakers to pass these measures into law.

State Senate Republicans recently proposed an income tax cut they say would eventually save five million middle-income taxpayers $3.5 billion in taxes a year. Assembly Democrats proposed a different plan last month, which included a tax cut for the middle class and a tax hike for millionaires. Both the Assembly and Senate included paid family leave in their proposed budgets. Learn more here.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will cover the topic of teams. 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. Find more information here.

The first quarter 2016 edition of NYSAR’s Legal Lines is now available online at NYSAR.com. This edition covers the addition of gender identity as a protected class in New York State, a case where a broker was unable to recover a commission due to an absence of a written agreement, and a case dealing with the issue of procuring cause. National cases including a possible RESPA violation are also covered. Read the latest issue here.

Join NYSAR and Member Perks partner Taxbot for an enlightening webinar focused on automotive and mileage tracking including SUV/truck deductions and associated entertainment. The webinar will also cover: the true cost of taxes; dollar doubling; benefits of owning your own business; hiring your kids; meals; and home office basics. The webinar will conclude with an overview of the Taxbot mobile expense tracking app, which NYSAR members receive a 50-percent discount on. Click here to register today.

The GRI-4 Legal course will be offered on March 22 at the Ithaca Board of REALTORS in Ithaca, NY. Reduce your risk of claims, fines and lawsuits. Gain a complete understanding of: advertising that is legal and ethical; contracts, forms, deposits, disclosures and record retention; risk management strategies; and title insurance and settlement procedures.

Register online today or call 800-239-4432 x219. Click here for more information.

The GRI-6 Sellers course will be offered on March 23 at the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS in Albany, NY. Represent seller clients in a way that keeps them coming back. Get a competitive advantage with strategies to: gain more listings; get clients priced to sell; enhance your marketing; and avoid Fair Housing violations and safety concerns.

Register online today or call 800-239-4432 x219. Click here for more information.

The GRI-3 Agency course will be offered on March 23 at the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS in Rochester, NY. Provide effective, legal and ethical client representation. This course offers in-depth coverage of: all forms of agency representation, associated issues and proper disclosure; and how to avoid the risk of misrepresentation, vicarious liability and breach of fiduciary duties.

Register online today or call 800-239-4432 x219. Click here for more information.

NYSAR Member Perks partner Mailify is an email marketing software application that helps you create, send and track beautiful and effective email campaigns and newsletters. With mobile-responsive email templates specifically designed for real estate, live personal support and the best deliverability in the industry, Mailify will take your email marketing to the next level. Brokers can even set up a master account and give agents access to shared credits and templates. NYSAR members save 20 percent and your first 5,000 email credits are free with member code "NYSAR." Click here for more information.

Office Depot and Office Max are now one company, and have partnered with NYSAR to provide you exclusive members-only discounts at all store locations and online. Benefits include: up to 80 percent off preferred products; 93,000 products discounted below retail pricing; free next-day delivery on online orders more than $50 (excludes furniture); exclusive low printing costs; and more. Visit www.officediscounts.org/nysar.html to shop online or print your free royalty card for in-store purchases. You can also enroll your business in a business account/direct billing account by calling 855-337-6811 ext. 12897.

One gallon of New York State-produced pure maple syrup could be yours with the highest bid! The syrup is donated by Michael Coughlin and made by Angela Swan, Homestead Maple Syrup, both members of the Clinton County Board of REALTORS. The auction closes Friday, March 25. Visit the RPAC Facebook group to place a bid or contact Derick King at dking@nysar.com or 518-463-0300 x238.

Local boards across the state are busy hosting RPAC events this spring. Upcoming events include Northern Adirondack’s Paint and Sip for RPAC in Saranac Lake, Greater Capital’s Bowling for RPAC in Latham, and Greater Rochester’s March Madness event. View the calendar of local board events to be held over the next few weeks.