Fannie Mae has announced a new program that will allow first-time homebuyers of its HomePath properties to receive up to three percent of the purchase price in closing cost assistance. For example, on a $150,000-priced home, buyers could receive up to $4,500 in closing cost savings.

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Privately-owned housing starts in March were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 101,000 for the Northeast, a 114.9-percent increase from the February total of 47,000, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department.Building permits for the Northeast also increased in March, rising 29.8 percent to 130,000. 

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In its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for the 2015 first quarter, RealtyTrac Inc. reported New York State ranked 24 out of all 50 states for quarterly total foreclosure filings. New York had 13,892 total foreclosure filings in the first quarter and 5,213 of them were in the month of March. 

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New York City is currently working with FEMA to update area maps that identify "special flood hazard areas" across the five boroughs. FEMA proposed changes to these flood maps in December 2013, and now the city is the process of gathering community input before modifying or adopting the revised maps as its own. The proposed map changes are now open for a 90-day comment and appeals period. Comments and appeals are due by June 28, 2015. 

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The New York City Council recently concluded its hearings into the Fiscal Year 2016 Preliminary Budget and issued its Budget Response. Two items of interest to NYSAR members are a proposal to tax high-value pied-a terres and a $250 property tax rebate to homeowners with household incomes below $100,000. 

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State Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein and Senator Jeff Klein have introduced legislation (A.6932/S.4781) that would require banks and lenders to maintain thousands of houses left abandoned while in foreclosure instead of waiting until they take possession. The Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act of 2015 would have banks care for those properties, known as zombie homes, as soon as the foreclosure process starts. Current law requires homeowners to care for their properties until ownership is transferred to a bank at the end of the foreclosure process. Click here to read the full bill text.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will cover common agency issues, specifically related to buyer’s 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.

If you’re working with clients who are moving into or relocating within New York State, you can provide an extra benefit by informing them that they may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period for health insurance coverage through NY State of Health. Click here for a fact sheet you can share with your clients to provide them with more information about the Special Enrollment Periods and how to apply. Or, direct them to http://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/SpecialEnrollmentPeriods for a quick video overview.

If you’re a REALTOR looking to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period or have questions about subsidies, carriers or plans, please call USI Affinity at 888.834.3713 or visit myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar.

Green 100, 200 and 300 will be offered April 27, 28 and 29, respectively, at the High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid, NY. The Green designation teaches you the latest green technologies to help you serve a broader array of clients. Save $75 when you register for all three classes. To get this special rate, you must call NYSAR at 800-239-4432.

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The Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) course will be offered April 27-28 at the LIBOR REALTOR Service Center in West Babylon, 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.

The Home Sweet (Second) Home: Vacation, Investment & Luxury Properties course will be offered May 1 at the LIBOR REALTOR Service Center in Riverhead, NY. Specialize in buying, selling or managing resort properties and second homes for recreation, investment or development. This course provides elective credit for the ABR and CIPS designations.

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.

TransUnion SmartMove is an easy, comprehensive and reliable web-based tenant background check offering access to a full credit report, criminal report, customized leasing recommendations and suggested deposit amount to request at lease signing. The trusted brand’s process is all online and you pay only when you use it with no set-up, minimum or annual fees. Click here to learn more.

Congratulations to the Columbia Greene Board of REALTORS on raising approximately $700 for RPAC during a wine tasting last week at the Hudson Chatham Winery. The event featured Hudson Valley wine and cheese, fresh fruit, chocolate and great company. Thank you to those who participated in the event and invested in RPAC. To view the calendar of RPAC events to be held across the state over the next several weeks, click here.

It’s baseball season in America! Support RPAC and win a pair of tickets to see the New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, May 9, at 1:05 p.m. Bidding closes Thursday, April 30.

Click here to learn more.