eNews
February 12, 2018
RealSatisfied: a new benefit for SPAAR members
An easy-to-use agent evaluation tool called RealSatisfied is being rolled out to SPAAR members free of charge as a new member benefit on Tuesday, Feb. 13. This tool is designed to help REALTORS® be more competitive in the real estate marketplace.

Among the tool's features, agents will be able to send customer satisfaction surveys to both buyer and seller clients at the close of each transaction and, in return, collect valuable feedback and testimonials that can then be easily added to websites, social media feeds and sites such as Realtor.com. SPAAR members will receive an introductory welcome during the Feb. 13 rollout, and more information will be available at spaar.com the same day.
SPAAR members sought for teleconference focus group

There is still time to sign up to participate in the final 2018 member communication focus group to help ensure you, as a SPAAR member, are receiving the most value from your membership.
   
Among the areas of focus will be: membership opportunities; delivery and accessibility of services; how members want to be informed; what SPAAR can do to help members in their real estate businesses; and more.

The focus group will be held on:
Thursday, Feb. 15, from 11:30am-1pm (this is a teleconference session)
Click here to register.

The focus group will be led by an independent facilitator so attendees can freely share their thoughts and ideas. This focus group is limited to a maximum of 10 participants.

SPAAR is looking to hear from REALTORS® new to real estate as well as seasoned professionals. Participants will receive a gift card of appreciation for sharing their time and insights. 
  
Contact Jennifer Kovacich at [email protected] to learn more.
Calling all members to volunteer with Meals from the Heart

Take part in Meals from the Heart, a meal-packing event to benefit local food shelves
Wednesday, March 7, at SPAAR starting at 12pm (noon). The event takes place at SPAAR.
 
Register on the events calendar or contact Joe McKinley at 651-772-6344.
Help spread  the  word for students to enter the Fair Housing contest

Making dreams come true is the topic of the 2018 Fair Housing essay and poster contests.

April is National Fair Housing Month and 2018 is the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. Sponsored by the Diversity Committee of the Saint Paul Area Association of  REALTORS® (SPAAR), this is an opportunity to learn about, remember and talk about the protections provided by  the Fair Housing Act (FHA).  Students are invited to share the impact of the Fair Housing Act.  How has the FHA impacted  you ,  your family or your community?
 
Students in grades six to 12 are encouraged to take part in the Fair Housing essay contest to write about what it means to make dreams come true.
 
And younger students in grades K through 5 are encouraged to share their talents by taking part in the Fair Housing poster contest to show what it means to make dreams come true.
   
Essays and posters are due April 13, 2018. Click on the links above for more detail.
Get to Know Woodbury

Take part in the REALTOR ®  Forum to get to know Woodbury. The half-day open house event will include a local builder fair and updates on development, community standards, public safety tips for REALTORS ® and information about the city's first-time homeownership program.

Attendees will hear from Woodbury Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens and South Washington County Superintendent Dr. Keith Jacobus.

The Get to Know Woodbury event is on Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 7:30-11:30am at the Courtyard by Marriott's Global Innovation Ballroom at 185 Radio Drive in Woodbury. There is no registration necessary.
Take part in the Blue Star Mothers "We Care" Collection Drive
 
Now through March 2, 2018, SPAAR's Community Engagement Committee is sponsoring the third annual Blue Star Mothers "We Care" Collection Drive. The committee is collecting packaged snacks and toiletries for "We Care Boxes." These are care packages that are sent to members of the military.
 
Please help by displaying a poster or hosting a drive in your office. Items can be delivered to any SPAAR Office. For a list of suggested donations, please visit SPAAR.com. Bulk donations or cash donations to defray shipping expenses are welcome.   
 
Questions? Contact Joe at SPAAR: 651-772-6344 or [email protected].
SPAAR sponsors launch of VAREP
A national chapter is putting down roots in the Twin Cities, and SPAAR is offering support. The Veteran's Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP) is a nonprofit that was established in 2011 and currently has chapters in many cities throughout the U.S.

VAREP is dedicated to increasing sustainable homeownership, financial-literacy education, VA loan awareness and economic opportunities for the active military and veteran communities and does so through a five-point plan:
  • Homeownership advocacy
  • Community outreach
  • Professional membership
  • Veteran job creation
  • Affordable housing
On Tuesday, March 20, 2018, VAREP will hold its Twin Cities chapter launch at the Eagan Community Center from 6-9pm with SPAAR as a sponsor.
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.


Welcome, new members!

Welcome to SPAAR! Thank you for joining. We look forward to helping you to be successful in your business.

New Members
 Organization
Aaron Adkins
 FirstKey Homes
Sarah Akins
 Weichert, Realtors-Premier
Douglas Ankrum
 RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Anne Arneberg
 RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Andrew Balfour
 Keller Williams Integrity RE
Cami Berggren
 Tubbs Realty INC
Angela Carlson
 Fish MLS Realty
Jennifer Collette
 Edina Realty, Inc.
Anna Dahlby
 Keller Williams Preferred Realty
Erin Dahlin
 Space Crafting Photography
Christopher Doffing
 Results Plus Realty, Inc.
Deanna Doyle
 Keller Williams Integrity RE
Kate Engebritson
 Source One Realty, LLC
Ryan Foley
 Realty Group, Inc. - Apple Valley
Theresa Gamble
 Keller Williams Classic Realty
Joseph Geiger
 RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Daniel Graves
 Incentive Realty
Heather Haider
 Weichert, REALTORS - Heartland
Jordan James
 Marathon Realty
Lucas Jensen
 Keller Williams Premier Realty South Suburban
Kaylana Leight
 Keller Williams Premier Realty
Jeremy Long
 iMetro Property
Andrew Massie
 Bridge Realty, LLC
Joshua McLouth
 Keller Williams Integrity RE
Joseph Metzen
 Metzen Realty and Associates Co.
Mervin Miller
 Edina Realty, Inc.
Monica Morff
 Keller Williams Classic Realty
Nancy Nafziger
 Virtuance
Charles Nielson
 Edina Realty, Inc.
Thomas Olson
 Virtuance
Wendy Pace
 RE/MAX Advantage Plus
William Pierce
 Keller Williams Premier Realty
Rami Qarmout
 Coldwell Banker Burnet
Rebecca Steinberg
 Keller Williams Premier Realty
Susan Stevens
 Keller Williams Integrity RE
Richard Watson, Jr.
 Keller Williams Premier Realty
Nora Yang
 Keller Williams Integrity RE


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