Driven by a very strong second quarter, home sales were up by 15.4 percent though the first six months of 2016 compared to the first half of 2015, according to the housing market report released by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The statewide median sales price increased by 2.2 percent compared to a year ago at the end of the June. Click here to learn more.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it will investigate accusations that some Federal Housing Administration (FHA) lenders may be discounting guidelines on down payment assistant programs. Click here to learn more.

The deadline to sign up for NYSAR committee service in 2017 is this Sunday, July 31. Members may select up to seven of the more than 25 NYSAR committees available in 2017 – three termed/closed committees and four open committees/forums/working groups. Volunteers are asked to be sure they will be able to attend the association’s 2017 business meetings, which are Feb. 5-9 in Albany and Sept. 24-27 in Verona, before committing to serve. Click here to sign up today!

The more REALTORS who vote, the stronger the REALTOR voice is before local, state and federal government, which shape the policies and regulations that directly affect our industry. Visit the New York State Board of Elections website for voter registration and change of address forms here, and get to the polls this Election Day, Nov. 8. The mail-in voter registration deadline for the state primary election is Aug. 19. The postmark deadline for the general election is Oct. 14.

The REALTOR-supported NY First Home legislative proposal would provide first-time home buyers an incentive to save for and purchase their first home in New York State. The program would be similar to NY’s 529 college education savings account and would allow individuals to deposit after-tax income into a bank account designated only for costs associated with buying a first home in New York State. Individual taxpayers, or couples if filing jointly, would then be able to deduct these savings against their federal adjusted gross income. To learn more and take action, visit nyfirsthome.com.

Sign up today for REALTOR Party mobile alerts by texting the word "REALTORS" to 30644. A few times a year, the National Association of REALTORS will send you a short text message letting you know that it's time to take action on an important real estate issue. Help protect and promote your industry, homeownership and property investment by signing up and taking action when called.

The Tuesday, Aug. 16, NYSAR Radio show will cover common real estate-related environmental issues. Tune in at 10 a.m. on August 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.

You have until next Monday, Aug. 1, at 5 p.m. to submit your application for the 2017 NYSAR Leadership Academy. The objective of NYSAR’s Leadership Academy is to discover, educate and empower future leaders. Graduates come away with life-long friendships, a strong referral network and a real sense of accomplishment. Any full-time NYSAR REALTOR member in good standing, who has been in the business for at least three years as of Jan. 1, 2016, should consider applying. Click here for a flyer with more information. Click here to download an application.

The Graduate REALTOR Institute GRI-3 Agency course will be offered Aug. 3 at the Staten Island Board of REALTORS office in Staten Island, NY. Learn to provide effective, legal and ethical client representation. This course provides in-depth coverage of all forms of agency representation, associated issues and proper disclosure. Learn 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.

The Graduate REALTOR Institute GRI-7 Property course will be offered Aug. 10 at the Staten Island Board of REALTORS office in Staten Island, NY. Learn about all the factors impacting value and close more deals. Discover myriad elements that affect property value including: types of housing; appraisals and inspections; neighborhoods and amenities; energy efficiency and environmental issues; lender requirements; and more.

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

The Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) course will be offered Aug. 17-18 at the Long Island REALTOR Service Center in Riverhead, NY. Learn to specialize in the 50+ real estate market by expanding your knowledge of: current lifestyle and housing trends; how life stages impact real estate choices; and how to develop a network of resources.

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

TransUnion SmartMove is an easy, comprehensive and reliable web-based tenant background check offering access to a full credit report, criminal report, customized leasing recommendations and suggested deposit amount to request at lease signing. The trusted brand’s process is all online and you pay only when you use it with no set-up, minimum or annual fees. Use promo code "NYSAR123" to get $5 off today. Learn more here.

Through their partnership with Oncor Insurance Services, NYSAR’s insurance plan administrator USI Affinity offers you affordable, easy-to-acquire life insurance solutions to fit your needs and protect your income. With options from multiple carriers, you have access to competitive products including term-life, universal life and whole life insurance. There is no cost or obligation for a quote. Call 800-259-3430 or visit www.MyREALTORInsurance.com/nysar to get started today.

The July RPAC auction features a picnic backpack for four with an insulated cooler, detachable water/wine holder, flatware, plates, cutting board, bottle opener and REALTOR blue blanket. Email bids to dking@nysar.com, call Derick King at 518-463-0300 x238 or join the RPAC of New York Facebook group to submit a bid. Bidding remains open until the close of business this Friday, July 29.

Local board RPAC events have already raised more than $90,000 for RPAC so far this year. Thank you to those boards that have already stepped up and hosted an RPAC event. The Summer RPAC fundraising season remains hot! For a complete list of the summer RPAC events on the calendar, click here.