eNews
December 10, 2018
ATTENTION! Have you completed COE? Does SPAAR know?
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!
Good news regarding 2019 quarterly MLS fees
Good news!  SPAAR is pleased to announce there will be a reduction in the quarterly MLS fees for 2019. The 2019 quarterly MLS fees will be $114.00 instead of $115.50. The first quarter MLS billing was emailed out last week so check your inbox for this important information if you haven't already. Questions? Please contact SPAAR at (651) 776-6000.
Planning for the new year? Consider joining a SPAAR committee in 2019!
 SPAAR provides numerous opportunities for members to become involved and one of those ways is to join one of SPAAR's many committees. SPAAR is currently seeking applicants for its committees in 2019. There are eight SPAAR committees you can choose from, and each committee typically meets once a month. Apply here to join!
Apply now for Leadership SPAAR Class of 2019

Leadership SPAAR is a nine-month program designed to identify 8-10 emerging leaders from within SPAAR membership and empower them to maximize their leadership potential and advance their efforts to build successful real estate careers.
 
Application deadline: Midnight, Friday, January 4. Email the completed application to Mandy Boldt at mboldt@spaar.com . The Professionalism Committee will review applications and schedule interviews with finalists. Participants will be notified in mid-January. Apply here.
Thank you for being so generous!

Did you know 82 percent of REALTORS® donate money to charitable causes each year? That's well above the national average of 56.6 percent of Americans who do so. This statistic was shared in the Community Aid and Real Estate (CARE) Report of the National Association of REALTORS®. The report provides insight on the monetary and volunteer contributions of members, broker-owners and association executives of Multiple Listing Services (MLS) and what they give to society.

What does this mean locally? It means 5,960 SPAAR members are donating in the communities in which they live and work each year. In addition, in 2018, SPAAR donated more than $125,000 to area causes, organizations and individuals on behalf of its members.

"This is amazing news, and yet I'm not surprised knowing how involved and generous our members are year-round," said Joe McKinley, director of community engagement at SPAAR. "REALTORS® not only work hard in their businesses, but truly make a difference giving back to the members in our communities and creating better places to live."

Pictured: REALTOR® volunteers and their families give back to Blue Star Mothers.
Mark your calendar for SPAAR's Winter Social on January 9
Take part in SPAAR's annual Winter Social as we welcome and install our 2019 Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS® President, Patti Jo Fitzpatrick. Register here.
Attention Affiliates: SPAAR's 2019 sponsorship opportunities are available
Each year, SPAAR's Affiliate members are a huge part of the success of the events and activities offered by the association, and each year SPAAR is blown away by the generosity.

The 2019 packet of sponsorship opportunities has recently been completed, and is attached here for those who have expressed interest about the coming year. If you haven't sponsored a SPAAR event in the past, but have an interest in considering one next year, feel free to take a look and see if anything is a good fit.

On the back page of the packet is a list of events and activities, beyond education, that SPAAR provided or partnered to provide in 2018. If you see something on that page that isn't listed in the packet, please inquire.

Please direct any questions to Kristin Parker, SPAAR's Education & Events Director, at kparker@spaar.com or (763) 489-3303.
Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
SPAARky says:

It's winter in Minnesota! Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. Even the slightest hint of snow can slow traffic to a halt. Arriving early also allows you time to make sure the path to the property you're showing is safe and accessible.

SPAAR members have shared some great tips, too, including:

"When I'm previewing a home and I'm alone, I always lock the door behind me. This prevents anyone from entering the property unknowingly. It's always wise to be cautious!"
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.

A winner will be drawn for a $25 gift card for anyone who submits a tip during the month of December. We've had so many GREAT safety tips shared since SPAAR began its weekly focus on safety. Please share one of your tips if you haven't already (or send another)!

It's great to learn from each other. THANK YOU to all who have submitted one or more safety tips. Please keep them coming!
Elk River Forum this Friday, Dec. 14, includes CE
Click here to register for the Elk River Forum.
SPAAR REALTOR® Members Earn GRI Designation
SPAAR REALTORS® Jason Metzger, Heidi Swanson and Kelly Kraus were recently awarded the highly-acclaimed national Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation.
 
In completing the required curriculum, Metzger of RE/MAX Results in Lilydale, Swanson of Lynden Realty in St. Paul and Kraus of Edina Realty in Blaine, join other top REALTORS® in the residential real estate industry from across the nation who hold this designation. Congratulations to all of you on this great accomplishment!
 
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.
SPAAR in the news
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!
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! There are many ways to get involved and grow your business. We look forward to meeting you!
New Member
 Organization
Tea Baker
 Agent Referral Network
Daniel Berkness
 Coldwell Banker Burnet
Larry Calhoun
 Re/Max Advantage Plus
Linda Christian
 Keller Williams Integrity NW
Christine Crep
 Old National Bank
Kathryn Damato
 Kimbleco
Braden Dickie
 Realty Group, Inc.
David Donnelly
 Edina Realty, Inc.
Geneva Ellertson
 Keller Williams Premier Realty
Matthew Fox
 Keller Williams Premier Realty
Jonathan Hedberg
 Edina Realty, Inc.
Shellene Johnson
 Red Key Realty
Kambiz Mazhari
 Bridge Realty, LLC
Lance Rongstad
 Coldwell Banker Burnet
Bryan Scholtes
 Structure Tech
Paige Severson
 Keller Williams Premier Realty
Vang Teng
 Creative Results
Randall Young
 eXp Realty

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