Despite being one of the coldest Februarys in history, the New York State housing market notched gains in both closed sales (2.5 percent) and median sales price (1.3 percent) compared to last February, according to the housing market report released by the New York State Association of REALTORS. 

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In its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for February 2015, RealtyTrac reported that New York State had 4,477 total foreclosures, a 4.16-percent increase from January and a 19.48-percent increase from the same time last year. New York State ranks 25 out of all 50 states in monthly total foreclosure filings. One in every 1,812 housing units in New York State received a foreclosure filing in February. 

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Privately-owned housing starts in February were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 47,000 for the Northeast, down 56.5 percent from January, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department. Nationally, housing starts were at an annual rate of 897,000, a 17-percent decrease from the January total of 1,081,000.

Building permits for the Northeast also fell in February, decreasing 17.4 percent, while nationally, building permits rose 3 percent to 1,092,000. To read the entire U.S. Commerce Department press release, click here.

Among its state legislative priorities for 2015, the New York City Council placed local control over the minimum wage, extension of affordable housing laws, increased funding for the New York City Housing Authority, passage of the Dream Act and more. 

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On Monday, March 9, 2015, the three largest credit-reporting firms - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - reached an agreement with New York State to overhaul their reporting and error resolution practices. Many of these changes will be implemented on a national basis roughly over the next three years. Specifically, the firms will be required to use trained employees to review and resolve consumer disputes. Another major change will be the removal of medical debts from credit reports once the debts are paid instead of the typical seven years. Finally, the credit bureaus will be required to implement a 180-day waiting period before adding any medical debt information to consumers' credit reports. 

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The Tuesday, April 7, NYSAR Radio show will take a look at fair housing issues in honor of April being Fair Housing Month. Tune in at 10 a.m. on April 7 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.

Congratulations to Daniel Rand of New City, Danielle Riley of Rochester, and Lawrence Wong of Brooklyn for making the list of finalists for the National Association of REALTORS’ REALTOR Magazine 30 Under 30 contest! Voting is open now through this Friday, March 27. The finalist who collects the most votes is guaranteed a spot among this year’s 30 Under 30. Show your support for your fellow New York REALTORS and vote! Click here for more information.

The Short Sales and Foreclosures (SFR) course will be offered March 26 at the Dutchess County Association of REALTORS in Poughkeepsie, NY. Maneuver the complexities of short sales and help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities. This course also provides elective credit for the ABR designation.

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

The Military Relocation Professional (MRP) core course will be offered on March 31 at the LIBOR REALTOR Service Center in Jackson Heights, NY. Help current and former military service members find housing solutions that best suit their needs and make the best use of their available benefits.

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

With this money- and potentially life-saving benefit, you have the opportunity to evaluate your risk for several of today's most critical - and often undiagnosed - health conditions. Held in convenient neighborhood or corporate settings across New York State, Life Line Screening offers painless, non-invasive screenings for strokes, aneurysms and other vascular diseases.

The four-screening stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm package ($240 value) is available at special NYSAR pricing of $135. Keep in mind, these same tests would likely cost more than $1,000 at a hospital.Call 800-636-0248 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/nysar for more information or to find a screening near you.

NYSAR’s professional insurance broker, USI Affinity, is partnered with Long Term Care Resources to offer you the choice of three long-term care insurance carriers: Mutual of Omaha, John Hancock and Prudential. Not only do you have the choice of carriers, you also have the flexibility to choose from a variety of plan options to find the plan and pricing best suited to your needs. For more information or a customized quote, call Ned Cox, NYSAR’s dedicated sales representative, at 888.834.3713 or visit www.myrealtorinsurance.com/NYSAR.

Greater Rochester REALTORS tapped into the March Madness frenzy by hosting their annual RPAC Madness fundraising event featuring NCAA Tournament games, auctions, food, drinks and plenty of fun! All told, the event brought in 150 REALTORS and raised $5,300 for RPAC. Thank you to the entire GRAR RPAC team involved with planning and executing this legendary event, and those who attended and contributed to its great success!

Beat the winter blues with a sophisticated and chic Michael Kors handbag! The bag is fashioned in luxe Saffiano leather with gilded hardware, and the adjustable strap offers custom-fit carrying. Bidding closes Friday, March 27.  

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