Slightly lower median home prices along with steady mortgage rates contributed to higher housing affordability in the first quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). Syracuse, NY was the nation’s most affordable major housing market in the first quarter of 2014, as 93.7 percent of all new and existing homes sold were affordable to families earning the area’s median income of $67,700.

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In its U.S. Foreclosures Market Report for April 2014, RealtyTrac Inc. reported that New York State had 3,784 total foreclosures, a 2.8-percent increase from March 2014, but a 3.98-percent decrease from the same time last year. 

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NYSAR's annual Lobby Day will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Albany. NYSAR will once again reimburse anyone wishing to participate in Lobby Day 50 percent of your total individual travel costs including gas, tolls, and/or a hotel room up to $75! NYSAR will also continue to reimburse 50 percent of the local board cost to lease mass transportation for Lobby Day. Mass transportation includes the lease of a charter bus, van rental, etc.

NYSAR will provide breakfast, a lobbying orientation, lobbying materials and lunch. So come and let your REALTOR voices be heard at the Capitol on June 10! For more information, visit NYSAR.com or contact Government Affairs Coordinator Blaise DiBernardo at (518) 463-0300 ext. 216 or by email at bdibernardo@nysar.com.

NYSAR is actively working on the legislation below in the New York State Legislature:

Fire Sprinkler Lease Disclosure (A.7641-A – DenDekker/S.5212-A – Flanagan). To view NYSAR’s Memorandum in Opposition, click here.

Restrictions on Property Owners Use of Apartments (A.5177- Wright). To view NYSAR’s Memorandum in Opposition, click here.

Click here to learn more.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will cover how to properly utilize the Commission Escrow Act. 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.

NYSAR’s new Web Portal makes it easier than ever for you to register for classes and events, invest in RPAC, subscribe and unsubscribe to publications and emails, check out your committee membership, and more. To log in, your username is your full nine-digit NRDS number and your password is the first eight of those digits, unless previously changed. Visit NYSAR.com or click here to visit the Web Portal today.

REALTOR Institute 402 – "Real Estate Legal Issues" – will be offered May 28-29 at the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS in Rochester, NY. This course gives you a clear understanding of agency practice and policy issues, and teaches you how to avoid misrepresentation, antitrust and fair housing violations.  

Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 401 – "Get it Listed...Get it Sold"– will be offered June 4-5 at the Dutchess County Association of REALTORS in Poughkeepsie, 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.

Online registration is open for the 13^th Annual New York State Commercial Real Estate Conference being held June 2-4 at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY. Come and network with more than 200 commercial real estate practitioners at the largest commercial real estate conference in the Northeast. Present properties and make deals for you and your clients, with lenders on hand to assist in closing your deal, 1031 exchange properties available, and creative financing opportunities. There will also be 15.5 hours of NYS continuing education sessions to select from as well as vendor/sponsor hall filled with all the latest services and products. 

Online registration is available through May 30 by clicking here. For more information and to download a registration form, click here.

Open enrollment has begun for a July 1 effective date, so now is the time to consider NYSAR’s dental plan and optional vision rider for your insurance needs. Key benefits of United Concordia dental plan include: options to offer you a range in coverage and cost; lower rates with a two-year guarantee; orthodontia coverage; and more. New in 2014, the optional vision rider, administered by Davis Vision, includes: an annual vision exam; annual allowance for glasses or contacts; discounts on disposable contact lenses and laser vision correction; and more.

For more information about the plans and rates, please call 888-834-3713 or visit www.myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar.

Take advantage of one of NYSAR’s newest Member Perks partners, 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.

This Park Metro Dream Coach tote would make a perfect gift or a special treat to yourself! Bidding closes tomorrow, Wednesday, May 21. Click here to learn more.

The spring fundraising season is in full swing! Find our which boards across the state are busy hosting RPAC fundraising events in the coming weeks by clicking here.

Congratulations to the Clinton County and Northern Adirondack REALTORS on raising more than $7,300 for RPAC last week! It was an honor for NYSAR RPAC staff to return to Plattsburgh to enjoy an evening of live theater, refreshments and auctions to support RPAC. Thank you CCBR and NABOR for your commitment to RPAC.