The National Association of REALTORS is launching a nationwide Call for Action tomorrow, November 12, 2014, on "The Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act." This bill would extend an expired provision that has helped millions of distressed American families by allowing tax relief for homeowners when lenders forgive some portion of the mortgage debt they owe. The provision expired last December 31, and it is imperative to get it extended before impacted homeowners have to file their 2014 income tax. The Call for Action asks all REALTORS to contact their member of Congress and United States senators and urge an immediate vote when the "lame duck" session begins following the election.

Look for the Call for Action in your email, by visiting the REALTOR Action Center at http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/ or download the REALTOR Action Center App and take action with one easy click of a button!

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced $10.6 million in funding will be available to develop shovel-ready, multi-family affordable housing projects in two communities in upstate New York. A total of 77 units will be built in Broome and Madison counties, where communities sustained significant losses of housing by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, as well as from severe storms and flooding that again devastated the region last year.

The affordable housing projects are the first of their kind expedited by the state in order to more quickly provide residents with quality affordable housing following the storms.To read the governor's entire press release, click here.

NYSAR has joined a diverse cross-section of business and local government advocates out of concern for what a proposed rule defining "waters of the United States" could mean to taxpayers, businesses, farmland and natural resources. The organizations have each signed a letter to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Gina McCarthy, and the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Jo-Ellen Darcy, outlining their significant objections. A copy of the letter can be viewed on the New York Farm Bureau website. 

Click here to learn more.

The 2014 election season has come to an end and the results, in most races, are in. Nationally, the Republican Party was able to maintain control of the House of Representatives and gain control of the U.S. Senate. In New York, Democrats won all three statewide elected offices for governor, attorney general and comptroller, and the party held on to their large majority control of the state Assembly. The Republicans were able to pick up enough seats to have a single party majority in the state Senate, winning a total of 32 seats.

Voters also overwhelmingly approved all three propositions on the ballot. The most controversial was Proposition 1, which established a new independent redistricting commission. Proposition 2 was a measure to no longer require legislative bills to be printed on paper, instead allowing bills to be disseminated electronically. Proposition 3 will allow for the state to borrow $2 billion in bonds for school technology upgrades.

Click here for a full summary of key races in New York.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will cover agency issues, specifically related to dual and designated agents. 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.

Enrollment for health insurance in 2015 will be open from Friday, November 15, 2014 to February 15, 2015. Look to NYSAR Member Perks partner USI Affinity to help you navigate the plan options and find the coverage that best suits your needs. Remember, you will face tax penalties if you do not obtain coverage. Also, if you miss open enrollment, you will not be able to obtain health insurance until the next open enrollment period unless you qualify for a special enrollment. Stay tuned for more information regarding 2015 open enrollment or visit www.myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar.

REALTOR Institute 406 – "Price it Right – Understanding the Appraisal Process" – will be offered November 17 at the Mahopac Library in Mahopac, NY. This course will familiarize you with appraisal principles, how appraisers must operate, where their responsibilities are, and to whom. You’ll also analyze data to develop and present an effective CMA.

Click here for more information or to register.

The Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) course will be offered November 20-21 at the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS in Johnson City, NY. This course helps you develop the business-building skills and resources for specialization in the senior market by: expanding your knowledge of how life stages impact real estate choices; connecting you to a network of resources; and fostering empathy. 

Click here for more information or to register.

The At Home With Diversity (AHWD) course will be offered November 20 at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in West Nyack, NY. This course will teach you how to research the demographic make-up of your local market; gain an understanding of the needs of your constituencies; and provide equal and ethical services to meet or exceed expectations of your customers and clients. This course satisfies the New York State license renewal requirement for Fair Housing training. 

Click here for more information or to register.

NYSAR’s newest Member Perks partner, Taradel, is an approved affiliate of the U.S. Postal Service’s Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM®) program. Through this partnership, NYSAR members receive a 5-percent discount to design, target, print and mail marketing pieces to every address in a specific zip code or carrier route. Forget buying mailing lists and printing labels, get started with Every Door Direct Mail®today. Click here to access the exclusive NYSAR EDDM®member portal. 

Learn more about Every Door Direct Mail® during a webinar this Thursday, November 13, at 2:30 p.m. You'll get a detailed overview of the program and step-by-step instructions for setting up a mailing. Click here to register today!

When in Atlantic City, do as the high rollers do and enjoy all of the city’s pleasures in one location: the RPAC High Rollers Suite on Wednesday, December 10, 2014.
Where: Atlantic City Convention Center, Room 308/309
Cost: $250 RPAC investment (to be applied to 2015 RPAC year)
Amenities include: shoe shine; manicures; massages; professional photographs; gaming lessons by one of Atlantic City’s renowned card dealers; business facilities; hot lunch; beverages; and a deluxe coffee barista! To register today, contact NYSAR’s Political Affairs Coordinator Derick King at 518-463-0300 x238 or complete the registration form and return to NYSAR via fax 518-462-5474 or email to dking@nysar.com.