TODAY'S REAL ESTATE -  March 23, 2015
2015 Foreclosure & Short Sale Update 
As many have noted, one of the biggest changes to the Twin Cities and national housing markets was the sudden influx and subsequent absorption of distressed properties.  "Distressed" simply refers to any new listing, active listing or closed sale where the lender either owns the property (foreclosure) or the property was sold for less than the outstanding amount owed on the mortgage (short sale). | READ MORE
REALTORS® Volunteer Across Minnesota
April 20-24
Help promote goodwill throughout our great state and cultivate civic responsibility within the real estate community. During this week, volunteer at an organization familiar to you or participate in a furniture dresser build (it is exactly what it sounds like) on April 22 (MAAR partnered with Bridging). | MORE | REGISTER 

Share your story and photos #RealtorsAcrossMN and #PowerofR
Global Lunch and Learn - Costa Rica 
April 8, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., @ MAAR
Learn about the Costa Rica real estate market while enjoying a delicious lunch. Our guest speaker is Nick Halverson.  | REGISTER

Receive 10% Discount on .REALTOR Domain 
Only members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and the Canadian Real Estate Association can call themselves REALTORS®. And only REALTORS® are allowed to use the new .REALTOR domain. In a complicated online world, it doesn't get any easier to let prospects and clients know you adhere to our code of ethics and professionalism - and are a source they can trust. For a limited time, you can get a domain for 10% off. To get the discount click here and use the Promo Code: discount | MORE | WATCH VIDEO
2nd Quarter MLS Fees Due March 31

Second Quarter MLS fee payment of $117 is due March 31, 2015. Login to view more details, pay your bill and manage your account. If you are an auto pay subscriber, payment will be submitted on March 24. If you have questions about your bill, contact accounting@mplsrealtor.com. For all other inquiries, visit www.mplsrealtor.com| FEE SCHEDULE

MAAR Foundation Seeks Committee (Volunteer) Members
REALTORS® Support the Housing Community: Compassionate about people? Want to make a difference in the housing community? Join the MAAR Foundation Committee. View the MAAR Foundation webpage, Volunteer applications are due Tuesday, March 24. | APPLY
TECHNOLOGY
Callr
It's 10 minutes before your scheduled call with an agent, client, or vendor, and it hits you. Are you calling them, or are they calling you? Once you have that figured out, what number are you calling? Their office? A conference call-in number? Cut through the confusion by using Callr. | MORE

Callr
Callr "Day At The Office" - Short Version

TRENDING
US home sales rise modest 1.2 pct. in Feb.; tight inventory and affordability hurt buying

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The Content Creation Conundrum

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WEEKLY ACTIVITY
Have rents gone up enough to get renters to lean toward homeownership again? That's the question of the moment. With mortgage rates remaining low, the time may be ripe for renters to invest in something beyond a 12-month lease as rental affordability is beginning to border on unaffordability. |   MORE  | BROKER SLIDE  

 

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WEEKLY ACTIVITY
PICK OF THE WEEK - City of Chaska

Ever since Johnny Cash mentioned Chaska in the fourth verse of his November 1962 number one hit "I've Been Everywhere," a wide array of folks have wanted to call the city home. Seriously. The city's population nearly doubled between the 1960 and 1970 Census. That's not entirely atypical of second or third ring suburbs at the time, but like my dad says, "Don't ruin a good story with facts." | MORE

CLASSES/EVENTS | view calendar
Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) 
March 25 & 26, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., @ MAAR
This comprehensive set of courses covers the specialty from top to bottom. Some of the topics include: Agency Relationships, Disclosure and Conflicts, Services Provided, Standard of Care and Risk Management, Building a Buyer Representation Business, Protecting the Broker and Negotiating. | REGISTER
Tuesday Mornings @ MAAR
April 7, 9:45 - 11:00 a.m., @ MAAR
Presenter, Zoe Liston presents "Size Matters! How to Accurately Measure a Home." Enjoy a light breakfast and fabulous drawing sponsored by Meg Chiodo of Royal Credit Union. | RSVP
2014-15 Required Module 1: MN Disclosure Law
April 14, 1:00 - 4:45 p.m., @ MAAR
This course includes the proper disclosures required by sellers, including selling property "as is" and the liability sellers can incur for non-compliance. | REGISTER
Seller Representative Specialist (SRS)
April 16-17, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., @ MAAR
The course provides a comprehensive foundation of skill development, training and resources to help real estate professionals represent the interests of sellers in today's marketplace. | REGISTER
Yo Pro New Construction Home Tour & Tech Demo
April 23, noon - 1:00 p.m., @ 4209 Utica Ave. S., St. Louis Park
Join us for a tour of this beautiful new build in St. Louis Park. We'll also have Brandon Doyle and Bryn Erickson discussing 3D Virtual walkthroughs and demonstrating new VR technology. | RSVP
MAAR Annual REALTOR® Summit and Expo 
May 6, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Marriott Northwest
Join us for a day of tips and tools that can help you grow your business not just for today but for your future. The day will include sessions on understanding the different generations, data security issues we face, blending technology and face-to-face relationships to be successful and creating a reputation in the age of commodities in order to be the agent of choice. | REGISTER
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Geoffrey Lossing
Better Homes and Gardens

Eric Mahutga
KW Classic Rlty NW

Zaher Mailatyar
K Hovnanian Homes

Viktoria Masotto
Results Support Services

Jacob Milton
Results Support Services

Michelle Mischo
Fitzpatrick Realty

Teresa Mitchell
Edina Realty
Mirian Molina 
Molina Realtors

Michele Montserrat
Coldwell Banker Burnet

David Motes
Keller Williams Classic Rlty NW

Charles Nelson
Real Estate Trader of MN

Ranjit Patil
Coldwell Banker Burnet

Carmen Patino
RE/MAX Homes

Wayne Pedersen
Wayne Pedersen
Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®  
5750 Lincoln Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55436 
952.933.9020 | info@mplsrealtor.com

Have a question for our President? Contact Mike Hoffman,  President at mhoffman@cbburnet.com .