The 2015 New York State housing market growth trend continued into October, reaching the highest level of closed sales for the month in more than 25 years, according to the housing market report released by the New York State Association of REALTORS. October 2015 closed sales increased nearly 2 percent to reach 11,216. Learn more here.

Builder confidence in the market for newly-constructed single-family homes slipped three points to 62 in November from an upwardly-revised October reading, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). The Northeast rose three points to 50 in November. Learn more here.

Please take a minute and tell Congress to stop taking money from future homeowners by answering the latest Call for Action today! It’s important to tell your representatives to support House Bill H.R. 22 with the REALTOR-supported amendment, which removes an extension of higher Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee fees (g-fees). Congress passed an extension of the current law until Dec. 4 to allow more time to reconcile the House and Senate bills. Take action now!

NYSAR’s New York City Issues Working Group will meet Friday, Dec, 4, at 11 a.m. at 150 East 42nd Street, 23rd Floor in New York City. Lunch will be provided. City Councilman Jumaane Williams will be a guest speaker in addition to discussion on legislative and political issues facing REALTORS. If you are planning to attend or have any questions, please email NYSAR Government Affairs Director Mike Kelly at mkelly@nysar.com.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a new plan to create 15,000 units of supportive housing over the next 15 years for New Yorkers including homeless veterans, survivors of domestic violence and street homeless individuals. The plan is comprised of roughly 7,500 newly-constructed, congregate units and 7,500 scattered site units. The plan will cost $2.6 billion in capital funds over the next 15 years to develop the 7,500 congregate units. For more on the plan, click here.

Stay up-to-date on NYSAR Government Affairs news and events by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Tuesday, Dec. 15., NYSAR Radio show will take a look back at 2015 and discuss legal items to watch for in 2016. Tune in at 10 a.m. on Dec. 15 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. Find more information as well as a list of links to play NYSAR Radio from any of your mobile devices here.

USI Affinity’s dedicated sales representatives will help you navigate the plan options and find the coverage that best suits your needs. Remember, you will face tax penalties if you do not obtain coverage. Also, if you miss open enrollment, you will not be able to obtain health insurance until the next open enrollment period unless you qualify for a special enrollment. Shop the NYSAR exchange or call USI Affinity’s dedicated sales representative Ned Cox at 888.834.3713 for more information. Click here to watch a recent webinar about how to best navigate open enrollment season.

The early-bird discount for Registration PLUS at Triple Play has been extended! You can still register for Registration PLUS at the low price of $39, but there are only a limited number of seats available. Don’t miss out on guaranteed seating in specified CE sessions, private access to a café, and access to other sessions where seating is available. Register today at www.realtorstripleplay.com or you may be closed out!

NYSAR’s newest Member Perks partner, HealthiestYou, is a health and wellness delivery innovator that puts you in control of your healthcare by giving you 24/7 access to U.S. Board-certified physicians via phone, email or video who can diagnose, treat and prescribe medications. For as little as $9/month for individuals and families, you’ll have unlimited doctor consultations and access to their wellness platform. Designed to serve as an accessible and affordable complement to primary care, HealthiestYou will save you time, money, worry and hassle.No consultation fee, no waiting rooms, no co-pays - and do it all from an app! Visit CarolinaTelehealth-NYSAR.com for more details or to enroll today.

Take advantage of NYSAR Member Perks partner Taxbot to keep more of your commissions through tax deductions! The Taxbot mobile app offers you the ability to track business mileage and expenses with your iPhone or Android smartphone or tablet, and turn those expenses into IRS compliant tax deductions. Watch a video showing how easy the app is to use. Learn more here.

Congratulations to the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS on raising $4,000 during the 2nd annual RPAC Comedy Night at Levity Live featuring SNL Alum Finesse Mitchell. The proceeds from this event brings the board to 101 percent of their RPAC fundraising goal or more than $146,000! Thank you!

Congratulations to Steve Vaisey from the Greater Rochester Association for submitting the high bid of $700 on the November RPAC auction item, the Amazon Echo. Thank you Steve for investing at the RPAC Major Investor, Sterling R level ($1,000) for many years.

The 2015 RPAC books will close on Nov. 30. If local boards still have funds on-hand to be applied to the 2015 fundraising year, please transmit those funds to NYSAR as soon as possible. All funds to arrive at the NYSAR office after the Nov. 30 cut-off will be applied to the 2016 RPAC fundraising year.