Homes sold at a record-setting pace across New York State during August with 13,912 closed sales, according to the housing market report released by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The previous record was 12,938 closed sales in August 2007. The statewide median sales price increased 3.8 percent compared to August 2015. Learn more here.

The 2016 NYSAR Fall Business Meetings kicked off Sunday at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona. During yesterday’s General Session, NYSAR President Linda Lugo gave the State of the Association address and attendees heard from Mark Sanborn, president of Sanborn & Associates, Inc., who gave a presentation on how to elevate your customer’s experience and turn interactions into connections. The 2016 REALTOR of the Year award was also presented to Walauddin "Buddy" Hoosein of Elmont, NY.  Click here to learn more.

On the morning of Thursday, Sept. 22, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Preet Bharara announced criminal charges against eight people involved with the "Buffalo Billion" economic development program. Among those charged were Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to the governor, and Alain Kaloyeros, the head of the state’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. The 12-count criminal complaint included alleged bribery, corruption and fraud in the awarding of hundreds of millions of dollars in state contracts and other official benefits. The full story can be found here.

Text the phrase "NYREALTOR" to 30644 to be entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card and sign up for REALTOR Party mobile alerts. Sign up before Oct. 31 and you will also be entered to win a $250 Amazon gift card from the National Association of REALTORS. Members will only receive important messages on REALTOR Calls for Action a few times a year to help protect our industry.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and lawmakers have been flooded with emails and phone calls urging the veto of an Airbnb bill that was passed at the end of the 2016 legislative session. If enacted, this legislation would create fines ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 for advertising a rental available for less than 30 days in New York City. Actor Ashton Kutcher, along with the co-founders of Facebook and PayPal, are also urging Cuomo to veto the same bill. The story can be found here.

The third quarter 2016 edition of NYSAR’s Legal Lines is now available online at NYSAR.com. This edition covers an independent contractor procuring cause case, the revocation of a New York State broker’s license, the new rules covering the use of drones, NAR’s trademark win and more. Read the latest issue here.

The Tuesday, Oct. 18, NYSAR Radio show will cover agency issues, specifically related to dual and designated agents. Tune in at 10 a.m. on Oct. 18 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.

Don’t miss NYSAR’s Legal Leftovers webinar presented by NYSAR Director of Legal Services Anthony Gatto, Esq. next Thursday, Oct. 6, at 2:30 p.m. This webinar is a follow-up to the Legal Update that was presented yesterday during the Fall Business Meetings. Topics will include such matters as commissions, agency and other recent legal developments. Register today! 

The Military Relocation Professional (MRP) course will be offered Oct. 5 at the Long Island REALTOR Service Center in East Elmhurst, NY. Help current and former military service members find housing solutions that best suit their needs and make the best use of their available benefits.

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

The GRI-6 Sellers course will be offered Oct. 6 at the Ithaca Board of REALTORS in Ithaca, NY. Represent seller clients in a way that keeps them coming back. Get a competitive advantage with strategies to: gain more listings; get clients to price to sell; enhance your marketing; avoid Fair Housing violations; and address safety concerns.

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

The GRI-3 Agency course will be offered Oct. 6 at the Columbia-Greene Board of REALTORS in Hudson, NY. Provide effective, legal and ethical client representation. The 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.

The 64^th Annual Fall Appraisal Conference, sponsored by NYSAR’s Appraisal Committee, will be held on Oct. 27-28, 2016 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. The committee will offer the 2016-2017 National USPAP Update, taught by Rebecca Jones, for New York State appraiser and real estate continuing education credits on the first day of the conference. On the second day of the conference, Walter Hang, president of Toxics Targeting, Inc., will teach "Toxic Pollution Concerns and Real Property Appraisals," followed by Joe Whittington of Northeastern Appraisal with "The Facts about Wet Basements." Both courses have been submitted for New York State appraiser and real estate continuing education credits. Please follow this link for more information on the conference, and click here to go directly to the registration page.

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 http://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.

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.

Our September RPAC auction winner was NYSAR President Linda Lugo from Long Island. Thank you Linda for submitting the high bid of $600 on the Coach bag. Thank you for your leadership and commitment to RPAC at the Crystal R level ($2,500). The October RPAC auction item will be announced in the weeks ahead.

The Ithaca Board of REALTORS hosted an RPAC Phone-a-Friend phone bank this past week and raised more than $300 in new RPAC investments. Thank you to the volunteer callers and those who invested in RPAC. Ithaca has reached 118-percent of their 2016 fundraising goal and 108-percent of their participation goal.