eNews
February 20, 2018
SPAAR modified office hours on Friday, Feb. 23
 
SPAAR's Eagan and Coon Rapids offices will close at 10:30am on Friday, Feb. 23, for staff training. SPAAR's 325 Roselawn Avenue E office location in St. Paul will maintain open for regular office hours.
RealSatisfied: a new benefit for SPAAR members
An easy-to-use agent evaluation tool called RealSatisfied was rolled out to SPAAR members free of charge as a new member benefit on Feb. 13. This tool is designed to help REALTORS® be more competitive in the real estate marketplace.

Among the tool's features, agents are 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. Go to spaar.com to find more information about RealSatisfied.
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.
Citation policy adopted by Minnesota REALTORS®

The Minnesota REALTORS® Board of Directors adopted on Feb. 8 a citation policy as a new additional Code of Ethics enforcement tool, which will be implemented on June 1, 2018.
 
The purpose of the citation policy is to allow respondents to a Code of Ethics complaint to have the option of acknowledging alleged violation(s) of certain specified articles of the Code of Ethics where wrongdoing is easy to identify with the knowledge of the discipline that will be imposed. Furthermore, respondents will be able to decide whether to accept the citation and be in agreement, or to request a hearing where a panel will be a part of the decision following guidelines in the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual.

More information will be available as the implementation date nears. Click here to be directed to Minnesota REALTORS® and read about the citation policy.
Students: share what it means for dreams to come true as part  of the Fair Housing essay and poster contests
Share what it means to make dreams come true, the topic of the 2018 Fair Housing essay and poster contest.

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 6 to 12 are encouraged to take part in the Fair Housing essay contest  and younger students in grades K through 5 are encouraged to share their talents by taking part in the Fair Housing poster contest: making dreams come true.

Essays and posters are due April 13, 2018. Click on the links above for more detail.
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 Veterans 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.

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