Association News
January 2025
NAR Settlement Updates
NYSAR’s dedicated NAR lawsuit settlement webpage has all of the resources your members need, including FAQ’s for New York REALTORS® and more.
Model statewide forms and tutorial videos available
NYSAR has updated model statewide forms and instructional videos available for your members.
NAR Consumer Guide: Flood Insurance
The latest NAR consumer guide covers what flood insurance is, what it covers and more.
News
NAR Legal Action Program Helps Secure Victory in Appeals Court
“NAR announced the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a unanimous decision finding that the defendant brokerages and agents in Designworks Homes, Inc. v. Columbia House of Brokers Realty, Inc., et al. and Designworks Homes, Inc. v. Susan Horak, et al. did not infringe the plaintiff’s copyright when using floorplans in marketing properties.”
Bringing the Value of MLSs to Life
“As CEO of one of the nation’s largest MLSs—Arizona Regional MLS—and founding member of the collaboration MLS Aligned, a six-MLS partnership, Matt Consalvo, RCE, knows a thing or two about thinking outside the box. He talks with AExperience about the role of the MLS following the practice changes—and about the power of creative thinking.”
Donate to California wildfire victims
Encourage your members to help the victims of the California wildfires by making a donation to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation by January 31.
NAR has launched Fairhaven 2.0 – a new dynamic online simulation where your members can tackle fair housing challenges head-on. Through realistic scenarios, practical insights, and historical context, explore topics like steering, bias, disability accommodations, and standing up for clients facing discrimination. This course meets the new NAR fair housing training requirement and is free for NAR members.
“The inflation rate is not contained but moving ever so slightly into a better spot. The conquering of inflation will be a key factor in bringing down the mortgage rates, which so far have refused to budge even as the Federal Reserve has been cutting other interest rates.”
Supreme Court Denies NAR Cert Petition
The nation’s highest court decided not to review an appellate court’s decision to allow the Department of Justice to resume its antitrust investigation into NAR.
Each year, NAR members across the country do everything from helping a neighbor in need to organizing a run for charity. View the Volunteer Days toolkit to help promote your activity and get members excited for next year’s event, which will be held May 10-18.
NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings
The 2025 NYSAR “Opportunity Awaits” Mid-Winter Business Meetings begin next week! Select committee meetings will be held virtually via Zoom Jan. 21-24 and in-person meetings will be held Feb. 3-6 at the Crowne Plaza – The Desmond Hotel in Albany.
As we head “Across the Association” for the first time in 2025, learn about some important Advocacy information and some FREE training from NYSAR that your members could benefit from.
Education
Education Member Benefit: Let your members know that active REALTORS® who have earned and maintained their NAR-family designations/certifications and are looking for a refresher, may retake a previously completed designation/certification course for only $50 and earn CE credit for doing so provided their dues are current!
Buyer Representation: The Essential Guide
January 24 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
CE Hours: 3; 1 in Agency
Member Price: $50
Instructor: Randy Templeman
GRI – 2: Business (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute Designation Class*)
January 27-28 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 7.5
Member Price: $125
Instructor: Mike Smith
GRI – 8: Technology (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute Designation Class*)
February 10-11 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 7.5
Member Price: $125
Instructor: Ifoma Pierre
GRI – 3: Agency (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute Designation Class*)
February 13-14 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 7.5; 2 in Agency
Member Price: $125
Instructor: Al Fazio, Esq.
At Home With Diversity (Designation Class)
February 19-20 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 6; 3 in Fair Housing and 2 in Cultural Competency
Member Price: $125
Instructor: Carmen Cartagena
Seniors Real Estate Specialist (Designation Class)
February 25-28 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 12
Member Price: $295
Instructor: Linda Lugo
*NYSAR continues to offer new professionals, licensed in New York State one year or less, the opportunity to take GRI Zoom courses for free. Also, if they take two classes, they’ll get the third one on us. Have your members contact the Education Department via email, [email protected] or call 518.463.0300 x 219 for information.
Government Affairs
Governor Hochul delivers 2025 State of the State Address
On Jan. 14, Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered her fourth State of the State Address in Albany outlining her priorities for the year. The governor’s speech placed a large focus on public safety and increasing affordability for New Yorkers, including proposals to provide a one-time “inflation refund” check, increasing the child tax credit, and providing down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.
Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address serves as a preview to her Executive Budget proposal which is due by January 21. NYSAR will evaluate all relevant proposals as more details become available throughout the budget process, underscoring the importance of building upon the state’s investment in housing included in last year’s budget: $600 million to support new housing development; $500 million in capital funding for new homes on state-owned property; and new local tax incentives to create more housing opportunities.
2025 NYSAR President Jacqlene Rose Statement on Governor Hochul’s 2025 Housing Priorities
Following Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Address and the release of her 2025 housing priorities, 2025 NYSAR President Jacqlene Rose issued a statement and video.
Update: State Code Council to meet on mandated home fire sprinklers
The NYS Fire Prevention and Building Code Council is now scheduled to meet on Feb. 28, to decide whether to adopt a new state fire sprinkler mandate following the postponement of two prior meetings. The proposed code change would mandate the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems in all new one- and two-family homes across New York. NYSAR is urging REALTORS® and residents to tell Governor Hochul, Secretary of State, and state lawmakers to oppose the proposed mandate.
Gov. Hochul and state lawmakers agree on new short-term rental law
State lawmakers and Governor Hochul have agreed to chapter amendments that will result in passage of a new law giving counties the option to create their own registries for short-term rental properties. There will be no mandate on counties. Booking platforms, including Airbnb and Vrbo, will be required to send quarterly reports to counties and the Department of State. Short-term rental properties will also be required to pay the same sales and occupancy taxes as hotels. Lawmakers are expected to approve the final, amended version in January.
RPAC
2025 RPAC Fundraising & Participation Goals Announced
NAR has announced the 2025 RPAC Fundraising and Participation goals. NYSAR’s 2025 RPAC fundraising goal is $1,331,735 and the 2025 participation goal is 17,844.
Register now for RPAC Lounge
The legendary RPAC Lounge will be open on Tuesday, February 4 from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. during NYSAR’s “Opportunity Awaits” Mid-Winter Business Meetings at the Crowne Plaza – The Desmond Hotel in Albany. For a new $300 RPAC investment, enjoy breakfast, lunch, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, manicures, massages, professional photographer, psychic readings and more.
January episode of NAR Advocacy Scoop
Shannon and Patrick delve into the complicated world of tax reform and how Congress and the administration plan to tackle the expiring Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
January RPAC Auction Item
The Jet Set Weekender bag by Michael Kors is the perfect travel companion! The bag dimensions are 19W X 11H X 8.5D and includes a detachable shoulder strap as well. Thank you to Vlora Sejdi from HGAR for the generous donation. Bidding will end on Friday, January 31 at 5 p.m.
Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes. Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. You may contribute more or less than the suggested amount. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal and the National Association of REALTORS®, the New York State Association of REALTORS® or any of its local boards or associations will not favor or disfavor any member because of the amount contributed. 70% of each contribution is used by your state PAC to support state and local political candidates. Until your NYSAR PAC reaches its PAC goal, 30% is sent to National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a; after NYSAR PAC reaches its RPAC goal, it may elect to retain your entire contribution for use in supporting state and local candidates. Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes. Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. You may contribute more or less than the suggested amount. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal and the National Association of REALTORS®, the New York State Association of REALTORS® or any of its local boards or associations will not favor or disfavor any member because of the amount contributed. 70% of each contribution is used by your state PAC to support state and local political candidates. Until your NYSAR PAC reaches its PAC goal, 30% is sent to National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a; after NYSAR PAC reaches its RPAC goal, it may elect to retain your entire contribution for use in supporting state and local candidates.