NYSAR 2015 President Mike Smith, President-elect Linda Bonarelli Lugo and Secretary/Treasurer Dawn Carpenter took the oath of office last week during the Mid-Winter Business Meetings. In addition: attendees heard from REALTOR and New York State Senator George Amedore, 2014 local board/association REALTORS and REALTOR Associates of the Year were recognized, the Lawrence B. Caldwell Award winners were announced, and the 2014 RPAC awards were presented.

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New York State regulators have delayed a vote on a measure that will require the installation of fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family homes and townhomes built in New York. NYSAR supports fire sprinklers and consumer education about the benefits of a sprinkler system, but is opposed to mandating their installation. Last week, NYSAR launched an all-member Call for Action opposing the proposed mandate. Take action in opposition to this proposal by clicking here.

NYSAR also launched media campaign including a radio commercial, newspaper ads and a website in opposition to this mandate. A link to the radio commercial and more information including fire sprinkler facts and poll results can be found at www.stopalbanymandates.com.

In its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for January 2015, RealtyTrac reported that New York State had 4,005 total foreclosures, a 14.09-percent decrease from December, but a 4.65-percent increase from the same time last year. New York State ranks 30 out of all 50 states in monthly total foreclosure filings. One in every 2,026 housing units in New York State received a foreclosure filing in January. 

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As part of the NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany, NY, NYSAR’s legislative working groups and committees met to discuss and vote on several important issues. The business meetings provided direction and guidance with respect to NYSAR’s 2015 legislative priorities and RPAC.

For the full legislative committees and working group update, click here.

New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito delivered her first State of the City address last week at the Johnson Community Center in East Harlem, Manhattan. Mark-Viverito focused on legislative and budget priorities in a number of key areas. 

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Today’s NYSAR Radio show will cover the topic of advertising. 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.

Join NYSAR for a free, informative update on current real estate-related legal issues on Thursday, February 26, at 2:30 p.m., presented by NYSAR Director of Legal Services Anthony Gatto, Esq. Topics to be covered include: broker rebates; unauthorized practice of law; lead paint; arms-length transactions; and recent court and DOS decisions pertaining to commissions, fair housing and escrow. Click here to register today.

Thanks to all of you who participated in and volunteered at the NYSAR Blood Drive held in conjunction with the NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings. The blood drive was a great success! The NYSAR YPN exceeded its donation goal set by the American Red Cross. Twenty-six units of blood were collected to potentially save 78 lives!

Capitalize on what sets REALTORS apart from real estate licensees with the GRI-1 Ethics course, offered February 27 at the High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid, NY. This course satisfies NAR’s mandatory quadrennial ethics training requirement and is a must for Professional Standards Committee members and local board leaders. You’ll discover how to put the Code of Ethics to work for you, maximize your REALTOR benefits, and enhance your professionalism and your career through community involvement.

Register online today or call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 x219. Click here for more information.

Operate your business without the risk of claims, fines and lawsuits with the GRI-4 Legal course, offered March 3 at the Mahopac Library in Mahopac, NY. Gain a complete understanding of: advertising that is legal and ethical; contracts, forms, deposits, disclosures and record retention; risk management strategies; and title insurance and settlement procedures. 

Register online today or call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 x219. Click here for more information.

The Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) course will be offered March 5-6 at the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS in Amherst, 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. 

Register online today or call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 x219. Click here for more information.

Energy Plus® is leaving its mark on the energy industry through its special cash back rewards program. Enroll your home with Energy Plus® and receive 3 percent cash back and a $25 enrollment bonus after two months of active service, and 5 percent cash back and a $50 bonus for a business account. Enrolling with Energy Plus® is easy and there are no monthly service fees, cancellation fees, or long-term commitments. Stop missing out on what you deserve and start earning cash back rewards. Click here to enroll today.

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.

New York REALTORS raised a record $27,300 during the RPAC VIP Lounge held during the NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings at the Desmond Hotel. Thank you to the 108 REALTORS who each invested $250 in RPAC to enjoy the amenities of the RPAC lounge including the deluxe breakfast and lunch spreads, manicure, massage, psychic readings and more! Congratulations to LIBOR’s Katy Anastasia on submitting the high bid of $300 on the HD TV featured in the lounge.The total fundraising and attendance totals for the lounge jumped 10 percent over last year!

Liz English and Margaret Hartman were recognized for their support and dedication to the REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC) with the prestigious Lawrence B. Caldwell RPAC Service Award during the 2015 NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings. English, from the Long Island Board of REALTORS, is an RPAC Sterling R Investor ($1,000 annually), member of the RPAC of New York Hall of Fame and a dedicated advocate for RPAC. Hartman, from the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS, is an RPAC Golden R Investor ($5,000 annually), an NAR President’s Circle Member ($2,000 in personal contributions to candidates/committees), member of the RPAC of New York Hall of Fame, and is scheduled to be inducted into the NAR RPAC Hall of Fame this spring. Both Liz and Margaret served the association as NAR RPAC Major Investor Council members in 2014 and helped New York achieve 102 percent of our Major Investor goal with 128 total Major Investors. Both were reappointed to the council in 2015. On behalf of NYSAR, congratulations and thank you Liz English and Margaret Hartman for your leadership on RPAC!

RPAC of New York inducted three new members into the RPAC of New York Hall of fame during NYSAR’s Mid-Winter Business Meetings at the Desmond. Congratulations to Mary Begley from Long Island, Frank DellAccio from Long Island, and Linda Page from Columbia-Greene on their induction into the RPAC of New York Hall of Fame. Members who have invested more than $15,000 into RPAC over their lifetime are eligible for the RPAC of New York Hall of Fame.