REALTOR®-backed candidates win elections; Democrats sweep statewide elections in NY and secure veto-proof majorities in State Legislature
This year’s November 3 General Election produced widespread victories for Democrats across New York State and the nation. In New York, Democrats swept statewide elections for Governor, Attorney General and Comptroller, regained a two-thirds supermajority in the State Senate, and expanded the existing two-thirds supermajority in the State Assembly. New York’s Congressional delegation will likely now consist of 20 Democrats and 6 Republicans, a net gain of one seat for House Democrats. Nationally, Democrats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives will decide who will be the next Senate Majority Leader and Speaker of the House. Likely candidates for these leadership positions include current Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both from New York. NYSAR was successful in its efforts to support pro-REALTOR® state lawmakers and candidates through RPAC and NYSAR’s Independent Expenditure committee (New York State Association of REALTORS® Fund). Following this election, NYSAR staff will be reaching out to all newly elected state lawmakers to familiarize them and their staff with our association and REALTOR® priorities.
Click here for a NYSAR election summary.
2026 Election Preview from The Parkside Group
With early voting underway, The Parkside Group has provided an in-depth overview and analysis of the races to watch come Tuesday November 3. All statewide offices, including Governor, as well as all seats in the State Legislature and U.S. House are up for election. Democrats in the Senate and Assembly are looking to secure veto-proof majorities in both houses while Republicans are hopeful to defend and flip enough seats to prevent that outcome. In Congress, the road to a House majority runs through a handful of toss-up races in New York.
Click here to read The Parkside Group’s election analysis.
New York housing inventory rises nearly 10 percent in September
Albany, NY – October 20, 2026 – The number of homes available for sale across New York State increased nearly 10 percent in September, while home prices continued to rise compared to a year ago, according to the latest housing report released by the New York State Association of REALTORS®.
Statewide housing inventory climbed 9.8 percent year-over-year, from 32,149 homes in September 2025 to 35,294 homes in September 2026. Months’ supply of inventory also grew 11.1 percent, increasing from 3.6 months to 4.0 months. A 6-month to 6.5-month supply is generally considered a balanced housing market.
Home prices continued their upward trend in September. The statewide median sales price rose 5.9 percent to $450,000, up from $425,000 one year earlier. This marks six consecutive months in increasing median sales prices.
Closed sales dipped 1.4 percent in September, falling from 10,029 transactions a year ago to 9,893 last month. Pending sales declined 5.4 percent, from 9,614 homes under contract in September 2025 to 9,091 this year. Meanwhile, new listings edged up 1.2 percent, with 13,867 homes entering the market compared to 13,696 in September 2025.
Mortgage rates moved higher in September, averaging 6.86 percent on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, according to Freddie Mac. That was up from 6.67 percent in August and 6.35 percent in September 2025. Rates also climbed above 7 percent toward the end of the month, reaching 7.03 percent on September 24. It marked the first time the weekly average had topped 7 percent since January 2025, when rates reached 7.04 percent.
Additional data is available at http://www.nysar.com/industry-resources/market-data.
Cold Calling Still Prohibited in New York
Real estate licensees may not make any unsolicited phone calls to a member of the public during a State of Emergency. General Business Law §399-z(5)(a) states “It shall be unlawful for any telemarketer doing business in this state to knowingly make an unsolicited telemarketing sales call to any person in a county, city, town or village under a declared state of emergency or disaster emergency as described in sections twenty-four or twenty-eight of the executive law.” All other types of marketing such as mailers, billboards, social media, internet etc., are permitted. You may call a FSBO if you have an identifiable purchaser interested in the property. You are prohibited from calling the FSBO to solicit the listing. You may still perform business to business calls so long as you are calling the number provided as the business number.
NYSAR is monitoring all current Executive Orders declaring a State of Emergency.
The following State of Emergencies are still in effect:
EO 65: Measles
Declared: Declared October 5, 2026
Expires: November 4, 2026
EO 47.23: Public Order at Correctional Facilities
Declared: Extended October 9, 2026 (Original EO 47 declared February 19, 2025)
Expires: November 8, 2026
If you have any questions about Cold Calling, please contact the NYSAR Legal Hotline. The Legal Hotline is available Monday-Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm at 518-436-9727.
New York housing inventory continues to climb in August
Albany, NY – September 23, 2026 – Housing inventory across New York State continued to grow in August, marking the 18th consecutive month of year-over-year increases, according to the housing report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS®.
The number of homes for sale across the Empire State reached 34,037 units in August, up 8.0 percent from the 31,512 homes available in August 2025. Months’ supply of inventory also increased 5.6 percent, from 3.6 months to 3.8 months. A 6-month to 6.5-month supply is considered to be a balanced market.
New listings increased 5.1 percent year-over-year, rising from 12,981 homes in August 2025 to 13,640 homes last month. Pending sales declined 4.0 percent, from 10,247 units in August 2025 to 9,837 homes in August 2026. Closed sales also decreased, falling 1.8 percent from 10,864 homes to 10,673 homes.
Home prices remained higher than a year ago. The statewide median sales price increased 5.8 percent to $476,000, compared to $450,000 in August 2025. The average sales price rose 6.3 percent, from $596,215 to $633,578.
Mortgage rates moved higher in August, with the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reaching 6.67 percent, according to Freddie Mac. That was up from the 6.54 percent average recorded in July. Rates were also slightly higher than August 2025, when the monthly average was approximately 6.59 percent.
Additional data is available at http://www.nysar.com/industry-resources/market-data.
New York housing market gains momentum in July
Albany, NY – August 18, 2026 – New York’s housing market gained momentum in July as new listings, pending sales, and closed sales all increased from a year ago. Additionally, the number of homes for sale climbed to its highest level since September 2022, according to the housing report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS®.
Closed sales across the Empire State increased 4.5 percent in July, rising from 10,439 homes in July 2025 to 10,911 homes this year. Pending sales also edged higher, with 10,727 homes going under contract last month, a 1.0 percent increase from the 10,622 homes pending in July 2025. New listings increased 3.2 percent year-over-year, from 14,592 homes in July 2025 to 15,055 homes in July 2026.
New York’s housing inventory continued its upward trajectory for the 17th consecutive month, reaching 33,585 homes in July – the highest level since September 2022. Inventory was up 5.4 percent from the 31,853 homes available at the same time last year.
The statewide median sales price remained strong in July at $480,000, up 6.7 percent from the $450,000 median price recorded in June.
Mortgage rates ticked up slightly in July, with the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reaching 6.54 percent, according to Freddie Mac. Rates increased each week throughout the month, rising from June’s average of 6.44 percent. Despite the monthly increase, July’s average remained below the 6.72 percent rate recorded in July 2025.
Additional data is available at http://www.nysar.com/industry-resources/market-data.
Uphold the Highest Standards — Free Professional Standards Training for REALTORS®
NYSAR is proud to offer free Professional Standards training for REALTORS® across New York State — both in person and virtually in 2026. Led by Linda Page, a member of the National Association of REALTORS® Professional Standards Committee and the Professional Standards Interpretations and Procedures Advisory Board, this engaging 6.5-hour course offers Continuing Education credit while reinforcing the core principles that define professionalism in real estate.
Members that serve on the NYSAR Professional Standards Committee must take an NAR approved Code of Ethics course the year prior to serving on the committee. This course will satisfy the requirement and prepare you for serving as a panel member in a Professional Standards hearing.
Professional Standards are the core of the REALTOR® commitment – the promise to uphold fairness, honesty, and trust in every transaction. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned REALTOR®, this training delivers practical knowledge to help you navigate ethical dilemmas, arbitration, and disciplinary procedures with confidence and integrity. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your professionalism and lead by example in your community. For more information, email Charity Murray at [email protected].
2026 dates
In Person:
Thurs Oct 22 – Elmira-Corning Regional Association of REALTORS®
Virtual:
October 29-30 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Register now!
December 1-2 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Register now!
New York Home Prices Set Record as Housing Inventory Continues to Grow
Albany, NY – July 21, 2026 – New York’s housing market reached another milestone in June as the statewide median sales price climbed to a record high, while housing inventory continued its steady climb for the 16th consecutive month, according to the housing report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS®.
The median sales price rose 8 percent year-over-year, increasing from $440,000 in June 2025 to a record $475,000 in June 2026 – the highest median home price ever recorded in New York State.
Inventory also continued to expand, with the number of homes available for sale rising 4.4 percent, from 31,124 homes in June 2025 to 32,508 homes this June. The increase marks 16 straight months of year-over-year inventory growth.
Buyer activity remained strong throughout the month. Closed sales edged up 0.8 percent, from 9,214 homes in June 2025 to 9,286 in 2026. Pending sales increased 8.1 percent, climbing from 10,727 homes under contract last June to 11,591 units last month. Sellers have also remained active this summer, with new listings rising 8.8 percent in June, from 15,101 homes available in 2026 to 16,426 homes going on the market last month.
According to Freddie Mac, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased slightly to 6.49 percent in June, up from 6.44 percent in May. However, mortgage rates remain below the 6.82 percent average recorded one year ago.
Additional data is available at http://www.nysar.com/industry-resources/market-data.
Sign up for a 2027 NYSAR Committee
Your voice matters. By serving on a NYSAR committee, forum, working group, or foundation in 2027, you’ll play a direct role in shaping decisions that impact REALTORS® across New York and help guide the future of our industry.
Consider sharing your time, insights, and expertise by volunteering for committee service. It’s a powerful way to stay informed on key issues, contribute to meaningful progress, and deepen your connection to the REALTOR® community.
All NYSAR members are encouraged to participate. You may sign up for up to four open committees and request up to three closed committees of the more than 30 NYSAR committees available in 2027. All committee requests will be vetted by the NYSAR Leadership Team.
We ask you to be sure that you’ll be able to attend the following 2027 Business Meetings before committing to serve:
Committee involvement is both personally and professionally rewarding. You’ll gain valuable knowledge, expand your network, and build lasting relationships with colleagues from all corners of the Empire State.
New York Housing Inventory Extends 15-Month Climb in May
Albany, NY – June 22, 2026 – Housing inventory across New York State continued its upward trend in May, while pending sales saw a notable increase as the summer homebuying season began, according to the housing report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS®.
Inventory levels rose 3.2 percent year-over-year, climbing from 29,540 units in May 2025 to 30,489 homes on the market last month. This marks fifteen consecutive months of annual inventory growth.
Pending sales also posted a strong gain, increasing 5.6 percent from 10,346 homes under contract in May 2025 to 10,922 in May 2026. New listings remained essentially flat, inching up just 0.1 percent—from 15,794 homes last year to 15,806 this May. Despite gains in inventory and pending activity, closed sales declined 11.6 percent year-over-year, falling from 8,099 homes sold in May 2025 to 7,156 last month.
Median sales prices inched upwards yet again, rising 3.4 percent from the $430,000 price tag last May to the price of $444,510 a month ago. In year-over-year comparisons, the monthly median sales price has depreciated just once since July 2023.
In May, mortgage rates saw a slight increase, according to Freddie Mac. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was 6.44 percent. This is higher than the 6.33 percent borrowing rate a month ago, but still lower than the May 2025 rate of 6.82 percent.
Additional data is available at http://www.nysar.com/industry-resources/market-data.
Editor’s Note: All data is compiled from multiple listing services in the state of New York and the data include townhomes, condominiums, and existing single-family homes.
NYSAR Priorities Pass in Final Days of Session
The State Legislature concluded its 2025-2026 legislative session – lawmakers are not scheduled to return to Albany until January 2027. Over the two-year period, more than 21,000 bills were introduced (the most in the country), which NYSAR staff reviewed. Of those bills, roughly only 4 percent were passed by both houses.
Three NYSAR priority bills were passed by both houses during the final days of session including, reforms to the state environmental review process for certain housing projects, increasing the number of consecutive years an individual must be licensed as a real estate agent prior to becoming a broker from two years to four years, and requiring public advertising or marketing of listed residential properties on platforms accessible to the general public while permitting non-public marketing (private listings) only when the seller gives informed, written consent after receiving a standardized state disclosure.
Click here for a NYSAR end-of-session summary of notable bills and their status.
REALTOR® Call For Action: Oppose Rent Control Expansion
Right now, the State Legislature is considering passing legislation that would make it easier for cities, towns, and villages outside of New York City to adopt rent control.
Please Take Action Now and voice your opposition to this statewide rent control policy!
The legislation, known as the Rent Emergency Stabilization for Tenants or REST Act, would streamline the ability of municipalities outside of New York City to opt in to a system of rent control. Current law requires that municipalities must conduct a survey that finds a rental vacancy rate of 5 percent or less before declaring a housing emergency and taking any action to enact local rent control laws. The REST Act would bypass the rental vacancy survey requirement and allow municipalities to take other factors into consideration, such as rent burdens of tenants, homelessness rate, overall housing supply, and a general “need for regulated rents.”
NYSAR opposes all forms of rent control, as decades of economic research have repeatedly documented its harmful effects on municipalities, property owners, housing mobility, and housing supply.
Click here and tell Albany lawmakers to oppose the REST Act Today!
