Motivated homebuyers dominated the Empire State’s summer housing market, powering 17.4-percent jumps in both statewide closed sales and pending sales during the third quarter, according to the housing market report released by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The state median sales price increased by 5.4 percent statewide.

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In its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for the third quarter of 2013, RealtyTrac Inc. reported New York State had 12,180 total foreclosure filings in the third quarter and 3,978 of them were in the month of September. 

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The House of Representatives passed a bill last Wednesday night ending the shutdown of the federal government. The bill was passed by the Senate and President Barack Obama has signed the bill into law.

Under the agreement reached, a continuing resolution funding government operations through January 15, 2014 is enacted. The measure also raises the debt ceiling to a projected date of February 7, 2014. The Senate will also consider another separate proposal to instruct House and Senate negotiators to reach accord by December 13, 2013 on a long-term blueprint for tax and spending policies over the next decade. Although the legislation reopens the federal government immediately, there could be residual delays in programs as workers address issues caused by the 16 day lapse.

 

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A state Supreme Court judge threw out a lawsuit challenging the wording of a November ballot amendment to expand casino gambling in New York. Judge Richard Platkin rejected the challenge from a Brooklyn attorney, who argued the wording of the November ballot amendment to allow up to seven new gambling casinos in New York is biased.

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The Moreland Commission on Public Corruption announced last week that it will be issuing subpoenas in an expanded probe into legislators’ personal outside business relations and existence of potential conflicts. The commission previously issued informal letters requesting legislators submit information regarding their outside income, business relationships and clients. The letters were rejected by attorneys representing both the Senate and Assembly.

In addition to subpoenaing legislators, the commission has also expanded its investigation into both the Republican and Democratic state parties and is targeting political "housekeeping" accounts, a tool that allows donors to contribute to political parties without any limits.

For more information on the Moreland Commission,click here.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will cover recent court and New York State Department of State decisions. 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.

With the changes resulting from the Affordable Care Act, NYSAR knows that understanding your health insurance options is more confusing than ever before. Fortunately, NYSAR Member Perks partner and insurance administrator USI Affinity is here to help guide and support all NYSAR members towards making the best health care decisions. Get your questions answered today by calling USI Affinity at 888.834.3713.

CRS – "Real Estate Social Marketing" – will be offered October 28 at the REALTOR Service Center in Woodbury, NY. This course will teach you how to dramatically increase your commission income by using social media marketing. 

Call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 x219 to register today. Click here for more information.

REALTOR Institute 401 – "Get it Listed...Get it Sold"– will be offered October 30-31 at the Long Island REALTOR Service Center in Riverhead, NY. This course teaches you new methods of marketing and how to integrate technology into your business to increase your listings, sales and profits.

Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 406 – "Price it Right – Understanding the Appraisal Process" – will be offered November 1 at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in West Nyack, 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.

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.

NYSAR's partnership with UPS gives you access to exclusive shipping discounts – up to 30 percent! Enroll today to start saving on every package you send. Visit http://www.savewithups.com/nysar or call 800-325-7000 to enroll.

Enjoy the splendor of the Adirondacks from aboard the premium glass-domed Saratoga-North Creek Railway. Two round-trip tickets from Saratoga Springs to North Creek will provide you and a guest the opportunity to ride more than 50 miles through the spectacular Adirondack Mountains following the rolling Hudson River in late autumn. Bidding closes at the end of the day today, Tuesday, October 22. Click here to learn more.