Sales of new single-family homes in the Northeast rose an impressive 135.3 percent in October to 40,000, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. September’s revised annual rate was 17,000.

Nationally, new home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 495,000, up 10.7 percent from September and up 4.9 percent from the same time last year. Click here to read the entire U.S. Commerce Department press release.

Pending home sales were mostly unchanged in October, but shifted marginally higher after two straight months of declines, according to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR).The Pending Home Sales Index inched 0.2 percent to 107.7 from an upwardly-revised 107.5 in September. It is 3.9 percent above the same time last year.In the Northeast, the index rose 4.5 percent to 93.6 in October, and is now 6.8 percent above a year ago.To read the entire NAR press release, click here.

The New York City Council is proposing to eliminate property taxes for the city’s 1,271 limited-income co-ops in exchange for tighter rules. The proposed rules would offer full tax abatements only to co-ops that sign tougher agreements on how the buildings are operated. Strict limits would be set on both the income of buyers and the price at which units could be sold. The rules would also require co-ops to hire outside managers. More on this story can be found 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 December 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 to discuss legislative and political issues facing REALTORS. Lunch will be provided. City Councilman Jumaane Williams will be a guest speaker. If you are planning to attend or have any questions, please email NYSAR Government Affairs Director Mike Kelly at mkelly@nysar.com.

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.

Planning to shop at Amazon this holiday season? Remember to shop at smile.amazon.com and support the NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. Just search for NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation in the search bar, select the organization, and shop! All donations go directly to the First-time Homebuyer Grant Program that awards $2,000 grants to low-to-moderate income families/individuals helping to defray the costs involved in closing on a home.

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!

Office Depot and Office Max are now one company, and have partnered with NYSAR to provide you exclusive members-only discounts at all store locations and online. Benefits include: up to 80 percent off preferred products; 93,000 products discounted below retail pricing; free next-day delivery on online orders more than $50 (excludes furniture); exclusive low printing costs; and more. Visit www.officediscounts.org/nysar.html to shop online or print your free loyalty card for in-store purchases. You can also enroll your business in a business account/direct billing account by calling 855-337-6811 ext. 12897.

Enrollment for health insurance in 2016 is now open! 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 at http://www.myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar 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.

When in Atlantic City, do as the high rollers do and enjoy all of the city's pleasures in one location - the RPAC High Rollers Suite on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015.
Where: Atlantic City Convention Center, Room 308/309
Cost: $250 RPAC investment (to be applied to 2016 RPAC year)
Amenities include: shoe shine; manicures; massages; professional photographs; a psychic reader; business facilities; hot lunch; beverages; and a deluxe coffee barista! To register today, contact NYSAR's Political Affairs Coordinator Derick King at 518-463-0300 x238 or dking@nysar.com.