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Enjoy an extra hour this weekend
Remember to set your clocks back this weekend and enjoy an extra hour!
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2am on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018.
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Open enrollment for the individual health insurance market begins November 1
Beginning this Thursday, Nov. 1, open enrollment will be available for the 2019 individual market, which will include several changes. Minnesota REALTORS® will once again partner with Minnesota Health Insurance to provide this option to members.
Here are some of the changes to note:
- Premiums are going down for 2019.
- Networks will remain narrow, so check to see that your preferred physicians, clinics and hospitals are in your network if that's important to you.
- Tax credits are available based on your family size and income. For example, a family of four will receive $416 per month with an adjusted gross income of $100,000 and $624 at $75,000.
- If you don't have health insurance for 2018, consider getting back into the market in 2019.
Eric Anderson and Andy Troje of Minnesota Health Insurance are available to answer questions, run quotes and help you to enroll in health plans. Eric can be reached ateric@minnesota-health.com or (651) 348-7220 (work) or (651) 295-3880 (cell). Andy can be reached at andy@minnesota-health.com or (651) 348-7220 (work) or (612) 710-9038 (cell). There is no cost to work with either Eric and Andy.
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Nominations sought for REALTOR® of the Year and William Tschohl/James Stanton Distinguished Service Award
Nominate a SPAAR REALTOR® member to receive this year's REALTOR® of the Year Award. This person demonstrates dedication to the real estate profession and upholds a professional business reputation.
The William Tschohl/James Stanton Distinguished Service Award recipient will be recognized for their outstanding dedication to the industry. The Better Communities Award recognizes a member who stands out in giving back to a local community organization. Help SPAAR identify this year's award recipients.
See submission requirements and deadlines on the respective Award links below.
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Wanted: YOU for a SPAAR committee
SPAAR provides numerous opportunities for members to become involved and one of those ways is to join one of
SPAAR's many committees. This is a great time of year to visit a committee meeting and see what it's all about, and consider joining a committee in 2019. Committees typically meet once a month throughout the year.
Interested in checking out one or more SPAAR committees during November or December? Contact Joe McKinley of SPAAR at
jmckinley@spaar.com to find a time that works for you.
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November 1, 2018 will be John S. Smaby Day in Minnesota
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On November 1, John Smaby of Edina Realty will be installed as the 111th President of the National Association of REALTORS®. As President, he will lead the world's largest trade organization, representing more than 1.3 million real estate professionals, while advocating for our nation's homeowners.
Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed November 1, 2018. Congratulations, John!
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Position open on Minnesota REALTORS®
Executive Committee
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The Minnesota REALTORS®
Executive Committee currently has an opening for Region 5, which includes the St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS® (SPAAR).
This Committee acts in intervals between the Board of Directors meetings on personnel, strategic planning, and other managerial issues and is subject to the control and direction of the Board. All members of the Executive Committee automatically serve on the Minnesota REALTORS®
Board of Directors.
The position will be appointed at the
Board of Directors meeting on December 13, with the appointment beginning immediately. Anyone interested in consideration for the position must be present at this meeting.
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REALTORS
®
Charitable Foundation announces Community Grants
2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act. In recognition of this anniversary, SPAAR's REALTORS® Charitable Foundation is seeking nonprofits and government agencies with project ideas to promote Fair Housing with grants available in December.
"SPAAR's members promote the ideals of the Fair Housing Act with every client. This is an opportunity for the Charitable Foundation to recognize organizations that are working to accomplish these goals on a larger, community-wide basis," said Joe McKinley, staff liaison for the Charitable Foundation. "If you have an idea that promotes Fair Housing, we strongly encourage you to apply."
Nonprofits and government agencies are invited to submit a one- to two-page letter of inquiry, which should briefly outline the project idea. The letter should include: requested amount of grant, purpose for the grant, anticipated outcome or goal of the program to be funded and statement of nonprofit or 501 (c)(3) status. A letter of inquiry allows the Charitable Foundation to review the idea while limiting demands on nonprofit or agency staff.
Letters of inquiry are due no later than Friday, November 16, 2018. Submit letters to jmckinley@spaar.com or by mail to SPAAR, 325 Roselawn Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55117. The foundation may contact you to request additional information after that date. Questions? Contact Joe McKinley at 651-772-6344 or jmckinley@spaar.com
.
The grant range is $500-$3,000. Recipients will be notified and grants will be made available by Dec. 31, 2018.
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Interested in Toastmasters? Learn more about it on Oct. 30
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Have you completed COE? Have you notified SPAAR?
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If you have completed your National Association of REALTORS® COE requirement for the current two-year period (Jan. 1, 2017-Dec. 31, 2018), but have not yet notified SPAAR, be sure to forward your certificate of completion to SPAAR at
coe@spaar.com. The organizations that offer COE do not inform SPAAR when someone completes this requirement. Need to know if you're compliant?
Check here and notify SPAAR when you're done!
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SPAARky says:
Avoid getting lost. If you are in an unfamiliar area, make mental notes to landmarks, points of reference and intersections. Always know the exact address of where you're going (and tell someone). Make sure your car doors are locked if you need to pull over to check directions or information.
SPAAR members have shared some great tips, too, including:
"Our office has a code word that agents can use. Agents call the receptionist and upon hearing the code word the receptionist knows the agent may be in harm's way at a showing and can request for back up to head to the showing location."
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What is your #1 safety tip to share?
In keeping with the safety theme introduced in this newsletter, what is your #1 safety tip?
Share your safety tip and provide your name and email by sending an email to Jennifer at
jkovacich@spaar.com and you will be entered into a $25 drawing at the end of October.
We've had so many GREAT safety tips shared since SPAAR began its weekly focus on safety. Please go ahead and share one of your tips if you haven't already. It's great to learn from each other. THANK YOU to all who have submitted one or more safety tips. Please keep them coming!
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Check your email for 2019 membership renewal notices
SPAAR 2019 Membership Renewal Notices were sent by email on August 7 from
billing@spaar.com
. If you do not see your renewal notice in your inbox, be sure to check the spam or junk folder so you do not miss any important information.
If payment is not received on or before November 30, 2018, a $50 late payment fee will be added to the amount due. Click here to view important 2019 dues billing information
.
You have the ability to adjust the optional items from your 2019 SPAAR Membership Renewal Order. For detailed instructions on how to adjust the optional items, please click here.
If you have questions regarding your membership renewal, contact SPAAR at (651) 776-6000.
Check out the links below for more helpful information:
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SPAAR endorsed candidates sit down with REALTORS®
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Today, October 29, SPAAR leadership, members and staff welcomed nine REALTOR® Party Champions for a candidate meet and greet and election update. The candidates gave updates on their communities, discussed the need for more housing, and outlined ongoing efforts for economic development in their cities and counties. They also answered member questions about REALTOR® issues. Thank you to all of the SPAAR members and endorsed candidates who were able to be a part of today's event!
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SPAAR REALTOR® Members Earn GRI Designation
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SPAAR REALTORS® George Schmidt, Elikreutya You, Lindsay Bjerke and Betsy Kestner were recently awarded the highly-acclaimed national Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation.
In completing the required curriculum, Schmidt of Realty Executives Top Results in Blaine, You of Keller Williams Premier Realty South Suburban in Apple Valley, Bjerke of Norton Realty, Inc. in Mendota Heights and Kestner of Bridge Realty, LLC in Bloomington, join other top REALTORS® in the residential real estate industry from across the nation who hold this designation. Additional information about the Institute and other educational opportunities for professional real estate agents may be obtained by contacting the Minnesota Association of REALTORS® at (800) 862-6097.
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A special member thank you for volunteering
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Thank you to SPAAR members Anita Baltazary and Nina Costello for assisting with outreach activities at Apple Valley's Music in the Park. The concert, sponsored by SPAAR's Community Engagement Committee, was an opportunity to chat with residents about SPAAR's Apple Valley Parks & Recreation Survey. The survey was done in partnership with the City of Apple Valley Parks, and was supported with a grant from the National Association of REALTORS®. Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland kicked off the concert by thanking SPAAR for its partnership.
Volunteering with community events is an opportunity to differentiate yourself and develop your business. For more information or to schedule a SPAAR Squad presentation on this topic for your office, contact SPAAR. Thanks again, Anita and Nina!
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See SPAAR in the news? We'd love to know about it. Please let us know if you see articles in your local paper about SPAAR members, events or other news. You can send an email to
jkovacich@spaar.com or mail to Jennifer Kovacich at SPAAR (325 Roselawn Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55117) or simply let us know the station or publication. Thank you!
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Housing Market Statistics
Get up-to-date housing market information here. SPAAR provides four different types of reports so you can offer your clients the most accurate housing data available. Click below to see how the market is doing.
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Welcome to SPAAR! There are many ways to get involved and grow your business. We look forward to meeting you!
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New Member
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Organization
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Paige Bandy
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Greater Midwest Realty
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Ethan Finger
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VSM Commercial LLC
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Sean Krentz
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Re/Max Advantage Plus
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Troy Lystad
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Edina Realty, Inc.
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Anna Perry
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Edina Realty, Inc.
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Shanna Stopka
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Keller Williams Integrity NW
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Jennifer Thompson
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Edina Realty, Inc.
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Tiffhanie Zheng
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Results Support Services, Inc.
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