According to 24/7 Wall St., only 3.41 percent of the Rochester, NY market's mortgages are underwater, making it the market with the fewest underwater mortgages in the nation. Also among the lowest in the nation was the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY market and the Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY market. Click here to learn more.

Thank you to all the members, firms and local boards who supported the REALTORS Relief Foundation's efforts to provide disaster relief to those affected by Tropical Storms Irene and Lee. As of November 30, NYSAR was able to help 285 displaced families from New York State, totaling more than $229,000 in financial aid. Look for the full story in the January/February issue of New York State REALTOR magazine.

According to the latest numbers from the state Comptroller's office, with 1,174 municipalities reporting their preliminary 2012 budgets, only 217 plan to override the 2-percent limit on local property tax levy growth. Click here to learn more.

Servicers are required to implement changes made to the short sale affidavit policy by January 1, 2012, but are encouraged to do so immediately. Each servicer covered by the policy must update its forms to comply with the revised policy. Click here to learn more.

Click here for the entire weekly Government Affairs Update.

Submit your most creative video telling everyone the value of working with a New York State REALTOR and you could win a $500 American Express gift card! Submissions must be received by December 31, 2011. Click here to learn more.

The 2011 REALTORS Triple Play Convention and Trade Expo will be held December 6-8 in Atlantic City, NJ. With free CE sessions featuring the industry's top speakers, unparalleled networking and referral opportunities, and an expo with the hottest products and services, Triple Play really is the event you can't afford to miss. Onsite registration for REALTORS is just $99. Click here to learn more.

Each year, thousands of influential leaders and the brightest minds attend Inman Connect to discover emerging trends and technology, to network and make deals, and to learn how to leverage the change that surrounds the real estate industry. Register today to attend Connect NYC, being held January 11-13, 2012, at NYSAR's exclusive members-only rate of $649 for the premium conference package. Click here for more details.

Access affordable, exclusive voluntary products including accident, disability, cancer, critical illness, term-life and universal life insurance from Allstate. You can select the plans you need or bundle them together to enhance your coverage. This plan can be used as a supplement to the major medical plan or on its own. To learn more or get a customized quote, call 888.834.3664 x18626 or visit www.MyRealtorInsurance.com/NYSAR.

If you are in Atlantic City for Triple Play tomorrow, visit the RPAC VIP Lounge at the Triple Play. The lounge will feature food, beverages, laptops, printers, cell phone chargers, newspapers, shoe shine, chair massage, and a happy hour! Click here to learn more.

Linda Page, from the Dutchess County Association and Columbia Greene Board of REALTORS, submitted the high bid of $125 for the November RPAC online auction item, the L.L. Bean holiday wreath. On behalf of RPAC of New York, thank you Linda for your consistent support! Linda is a six-time RPAC Sterling R investor ($1,000) and Linda will serve as the 2012 RPAC Trustee Chair.