In its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for August 2014, RealtyTrac Inc. reported that New York State had 3,707 total foreclosures, a 17.53-percent decrease from July and a 12.51-percent drop from August 2013. New York State ranks 31 out of all 50 states for monthly total foreclosure filings. One in every 2,186 housing units in New York State received a foreclosure filing in August. 

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Many states have experienced delayed processing times for the Single Family Rural Housing Direct and Guaranteed Loan Programs. The delays are due to budget cuts and reductions in rural housing staff. Delays have caused many homebuyers to lose locked-in interest rates and sometimes prevent settlements from occurring. Sellers are hesitant to accept offers with rural housing financing due to delays.

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The NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation will be raffling off a prize worth more than $1,200! The winner will enjoy a two-night stay at The Lodge at Turning Stone as well as a complimentary round of golf for two or spa treatments at Skana worth $210. And to top it off, the winner will receive a $200 American Express gift card to use during their stay. The winner will be announced during the Board of Directors meeting at the Fall Business Meetings. A special thanks to our generous sponsor, The Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Some restrictions apply. Enter between now and September 30. Click here for a flyer with full details. 

New York’s Primary Elections were held last week. With every statewide elected official and every member of the Legislature up for re-election, some of the races were closer than anticipated. Click here to learn more.

The New York City Council unanimously passed an amended version of Int. 48-A(Cabrera), also known as the Tenants’ Bill of Rights Law. NYSAR strongly opposed this legislation because it would have required the dissemination and posting of a lengthy Tenants' Bill of Rights upon lease execution. NYSAR successfully advocated for this legislation to be streamlined and amended. The association is pleased with the final version, which removes the landlord’s responsibility to provide the lengthy bill of rights to each tenant. 

Click here to learn more.

According to the latest poll results conducted by Time Warner Cable News/Siena Research Institute, with less than two months until Election Day, Republican Congressman Chris Gibson has a 24-percentage-point lead over his Democratic challenger Sean Eldridge. The poll found that Gibson, a two-term incumbent, would defeat Eldridge 57 to 33 percent. Gibson also enjoys a 57-percent favorability rating, while 57 percent of voters do not know enough about Eldridge to form an opinion.

In the 21st Congressional District, Republican Elise Stefanik holds a 13-point lead over Democrat Aaron Woolf, 46-33 percent. Meanwhile Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello received 11 percent of the vote with only 10 percent of voters still undecided. All candidates are running for the seat being vacated by Democrat Representative Bill Owens.

The Tuesday, September 23, NYSAR Radio show will preview the upcoming NYSAR Fall Business Meetings. Tune in at 10 a.m. on September 23 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.

Dig your old cell phones out of your desk drawers and bring them with you to Turning Stone! The Young Professionals Network will be collecting cell phones to be donated to domestic violence centers across the state during the NYSAR Fall Business Meetings, September 28-October 1. 

This year, the collection has a twist - each region will be competing to see who can collect the most. The collection from each region will be taken back by a representative to be donated locally. The region that collects the most phones will be spotlighted in a future issue of New York State REALTOR magazine. Click here for more information. If you are not attending the business meetings but would still like to donate, please contact the team leader in your area.

The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) required course will be offered September 22-23 at the Jackson Heights REALTOR Service Center in Jackson Heights, NY. This course will teach you how to become an efficient and profitable buyer’s representative by providing the quality of service and degree of fidelity today’s buyers expect. 

Click here for more information or to register.

The Resort and Second-home Property Specialist (RSPS) course will be offered September 23 at the Staten Island Board of REALTORS in Staten Island, NY. This course gives you the knowledge and skills you need to specialize in: buying, selling or managing second homes in a resort, recreational and/or vacation destination; and properties for investment, development or retirement.

Click here for more information or to register.

The New York State Association of REALTORSwill hold its annual Fall Business Meetings from September 28 to October 1 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. NYSAR encourages all members to participate as many of the sessions do not require official committee service.

For more information or to register for the meetings, click here.

Learn how to pay the least amount of taxes possible next year by doing a few simple things today. Register for the NYSAR and Taxbot webinar on Thursday, September 18, at 2:30 p.m. for tax tips on travel, medical and auto deductions. You can participate in the webinar using your computer or the GoToWebinar app on your mobile device. Click here for more information and to register. 

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.

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.

Celebrate autumn in style with a new Coach bag! Crafted by hand in elegant artisanal leather, this pared-down silhouette is great for work or weekend, with a secure zip-top and an exterior flap pocket. Bidding closes on Monday, September 22.

Click here to learn more.

RPAC of New York is hosting the "LOL Stand-Up Comedy Night" fundraising event on Monday, September 29, from 7:30-11 p.m. during the NYSAR Fall Business Meetings at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. Enjoy a night of comedy, a ventriloquist, and live and silent auctions - all in the name of RPAC! Tickets cost $50 each and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to view a flyer about the event. 

Register online [https://nysarportal.ramcoams.net/] to attend NYSAR’s Fall Business Meetings and the RPAC fundraising event today. Or, simply download, complete and return the registration form to NYSAR via fax or mail.

We are seeking auction item donations to be featured in RPAC’s LOL Stand-Up Comedy Night fundraising event. If local boards or individual members would like to donate auction items, please contact Derick King at dking@nysar.com or 518-463-0300 x238 with a description of the item and the value by Monday, September 22. Local boards & individual members will receive RPAC credit for auction item donations!