On Monday April 21, 2008, the New York State Department of State's Division of Licensing Service implemented a new online Real Estate system called: eAccessNY.

eAccessNY is an Occupational Licensing Management System which provides online services for Real Estate Professionals, approved Real Estate Schools, and the general public. The new system is a 24 hour user friendly service which is accessed with a personal identification code and password.

With eAccessNY, Real Estate Professionals can conduct a variety of transactions online including license renewal, change of address, and request of a duplicate license.

With eAccessNY, Real Estate Schools can apply online for approval of continuing education courses, to renew courses, and to add course branch locations.

The new system also allows members of the general public to search for current licensees and approved qualifying courses.

eAccessNY: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/realestate/index.html

The Rockland County Board of Realtors and the Orange County Association of Realtors will host the 11th Annual Orange and Rockland Realtor Convention on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at Anthony's Pier Nine on Route 9W in New Windsor, NY.

The last day to register for this convention is Saturday, March 29, 2008.

Visit this link to get more information and register for the convention.    

A Free Gift for Every Attendee	Your One Price Registration Gets You Everything!! Including LUNCH	PRIZES: Laptop Computer, Digital Camera, GPS and more...
"Managing Clients' Expectations in an Evolving Market 3 Hours of NYS Continuing Education Credit is included featuring: National Speaker --Steve Harney	Learn feng shui tips to improve your marketing skills in a special one hour presentation.	Extra! Extra! Broker Claims Self-Defense in Attacking Negative Media Coverage. Get all the details at our special presentation for Brokers and Managers.
Take Control Of Your Business And Yourself A motivational and inspirational talk	Renovation Loans Helping Home Buyers participate in affordable opportunities on homes that need repair and improvement.	Trade Show: Over 70+ Real Estate Related Exhibitors

Visit this link to get more information and register for the convention.

http://www.orangerocklandrealtorconvention.com/index.html

March 2 thru March 8 is National Consumer Protection Week. Orange County, NY Executive Edward A. Diana and Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Charles Mitchell marked National Consumer Week with special outreach programs designed to heighten awareness of consumer issues.

The Orange County Department of Consumer Affairs wants to protect the residents of the county and would be residents of Orange County from fraud, deception and unfair business practices. Its goal is to promote an atmosphere of trust for consumers in the marketplace by providing consumer assistance and advice in handling problems encountered with the county's business community.

Staff members from the New York State Attorney General's Office are on hand to assist consumers with issues.

For further information, please contact Richard Mayfield in the County Executive's Office at 845-291-2721.

Everyone come gather around, to hear the talk of the town.

I've got a good story to tell, that will save your soul from going to hell.

So just come and you will learn. Because, now it's His turn.

Why not try what He's got. And believe me people, He's got a lot.

This story is about Jesus Christ. The one and only Almighty Jesus Christ.

He is Love. He is Peace. He is Hope and Happiness.

Accept Him now and you will see, that He died for you and for me.

Now back to my short story, Showing the Lord in glory.

He makes the deaf able to hear, and takes away all of your fear.

He removes stress and strife, and brings peace back to your life.

He heals the lame and the sick, so why not make Him your only pick.

This story is about Jesus Christ. The one and only Almighty Jesus Christ.

He is Love. He is Peace. He is Hope and Happiness.

Accept Him now and you will see, that He died for you and for me.

That He died for you and for me. For you and for me, He died.

Copyright 1996 Derrick K. Lewis - PAu 2-072-474

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

I'd like to introduce Mr. Richard Pasiut of Key Properties of the Hudson Valley as a new member of our Active Rain Community. Rich has decided to accept my invitation to become a member of our fast growing community. His member profile may be view at: http://activerain.com/powrbot

Please take the time welcome Rich to Active Rain.

Key Properties of the Hudson Valley 

50 Front Street ~ Suite 200 ~ Newburgh, NY 12550

Office Phone: (845) 565-6100 • Fax: (845) 565-6101

http://www.kphv.com/

Indian Point is a nuclear power energy generation facility on the east bank of the Hudson River in Westchester County, NY. It is owned and operated by Entergy Nuclear. This facility is close to portions of Orange, Rockland and Putnam Counties in New York State. Officials of these counties have developed a comprehensive emergency plan, in cooperation with New York State and Entergy Nuclear. The plan includes information and procedures for protecting the public in a wide range of possible emergencies.

A key component of the plan is the New York State Office of Emergency Management's web site for the Joint Information Center. Westchester, Orange, Rockland and Putnam Counties, New York State and Entergy are partners in this public education web site. The site provides daily information on Indian Point's plant conditions and efforts to protect your health and safety. Should an emergency occur, this web site would give you official information on the emergency response activities undertaken by the counties, New York State and Entergy.

The URL address of the site is: http://jic.semo.state.ny.us/  

I'd like to introduce Mr. Joe Baratta of REALTY EXECUTIVES - Baratta Realty as a new member of our Active Rain Community. Joe obviously saw the benefits of becoming a member of our fast growing community and decided to accept my invitation to join us. http://activerain.com/jbaratta 

Please take the time welcome Joe to Active Rain.

REALTY EXECUTIVES - Baratta Realty

120 N. Main Street Suite 502 New City, NY 10956

NEW CITY OFFICE Phone: (845) 708-5072 • Fax: (845) 708-5073

http://www.barattarealty.com/

The Real Estate industry in the State of New York will see changes in licensing law in the year 2008. The upcoming changes to New York Real Property Law are steps in the right direction.

An increase in the number of classroom hours required to become a salesperson will better prepare future agents to function more effectively in the business. And increasing the required time a salesperson spends as an apprentice, under the guidance of a broker, will provide salespersons with more practical experience and on the job training.

Here are highlights of the changes that were made to the New York State Real Property Law, to become effective in July 2008.

• Statutory definition of Office Manager - Must hold at least an Associate Real Estate Broker's license.
• Educational Requirements for a Real Estate Broker's License is Now 120 hours. Formerly it was 90 hours of approved real estate courses. And the minimum age to become a Broker has been raised to twenty years of age. Formerly it was nineteen years of age.
• A Two Year Term as Salesperson, under a Broker, will now be required. The term was formerly One year. Or Three Years of equivalent experience in general real estate business will now be required. Formerly only Two Years of equivalent experience was required.
• Educational Requirements for a Real Estate Salesperson License is Now 75 hours. Formerly only 45 hours of approved real estate courses were required.
• Elimination of the current exemption from continuing education requirements for those brokers licensed after the effective date (July of 2008) who do not have fifteen years of consecutive licensure by that time.
• Real estate license identification cards shall now need to contain a photograph of the licensee.
  

These changes are a direct result of the passage of Bill A08053, AN ACT to amend the real property law, in relation to Real Estate Brokers and Real Estate Salespersons in New York State.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held in the Village of Montgomery, NY to celebrate the completion of Montgomery Manor, a new senior housing community. This complex offers affordable housing to seniors.

With the growing senior population in Orange County, seniors who are on a fixed incomes can apply to move into this beautiful affordable housing facility with rents projected to be between $290.00 and $675.00 per month at Montgomery Manor.