The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote this week on a bill that would provide flood insurance rate relief to homeowners. The legislation, H.R. 3370, introduced by Rep. Michael Grimm (R-New York), will do several things that should provide relief to homeowners including: permanently removing the home sale/new policy rate increase for primary residences; reinstating grandfathered insurance rates; providing refunds for people that purchased a "pre firm" (before updated flood maps) subsidized home without the full transparency from FEMA on the new flood insurance rate structure; and more.

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The New York State housing market started 2014 on solid footing with closed and pending sales falling minimally from the significant gains posted in January 2013, according to the housing market report released by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The statewide median sales price continued to grow as it did throughout 2013, posting a 10.1-percent increase compared to last January.

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Syracuse, NY and Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY were among the major U.S. housing markets at the top of the affordability chart in the fourth quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI).

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Last week, the New York State Court of Appeals ruled that state auditors must prove out-of-state residents use the properties they own in New York as their personal residence in the course of a year if they are going to be made to pay city and state income taxes.

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On February 20, the White House unveiled a package of reforms designed to limit potential abuses of the patent system. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) announced three new initiatives aimed at reducing the burden of patent trolls on American businesses. 

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The Tuesday, March 4, NYSAR Radio show will cover commissions, compensation and cooperation. Tune in at 10 a.m. on March 4 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.

Videos from NYSAR's 2014 Mid-Winter Business Meetings are now available in the Media Center of NYSAR.com. Videos include: President JP Endres' State of the Association address; an update from NAR President Steve Brown; keynote speaker Alex Sheen's presentation of "Because I Said I Would;" the Legal Update with NYSAR Director of Legal Services Anthony Gatto, Esq. and more. 

Visit the Video section of the Media Center or click here for more.

REALTOR Institute 409 – "Equal and Ethical Service" – will be offered March 3-4 at the Mohawk Valley Association of REALTORS in Utica, NY. This course fulfills the Code of Ethics training requirement for REALTOR membership and the fair housing training requirement for NYS license renewal.

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At Home With Diversity will be offered March 5 at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in White Plains, NY. This one-day course will teach participants how to: research the demographic make-up of their local market; gain an understanding of the needs of their constituencies; and provide equal and ethical services to their customers and clients.

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REO Properties: Responsibilities, Education and Opportunities for Real Estate Professionals will be offered March 6 at the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS in Johnson City, NY. This course covers the basics of working with sellers and buyers of REO properties.

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Take advantage of NYSAR’s newest Member Perks partner, Taxbot, to keep more of your commissions through tax deductions! The Taxbot mobile app offers you the ability to track business mileage and expenses with your iPhone or Android smartphone or tablet, and turn those expenses into IRS compliant tax deductions. Click here to learn more.

The February RPAC auction item is the Keurig K140 Brewing System. The K140 Brewing System brews a perfect cup of coffee, tea, hot cocoa or iced beverage in under one minute at the touch of a button. Bidding closes Tuesday, March 4. 

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Tired of being stuck inside with the winter blues? Join the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS for "A Night at the Races and Casino" on Monday, March 10, from 6-10 p.m. at the Empire City Casino & Raceway. Enjoy a delicious dinner in a private room overlooking the track, bet on your favorite horses, play some slots, mingle and network with your REALTOR colleagues and invest in RPAC. For complete details and to register today, click here.