October 21, 2019
SPAAR's Maplewood and Coon Rapids offices will be closed on Friday, October 25, until 10am for staff training (the Coon Rapids office will open at 10:45am).
Award winners to be announced at SPAAR's Winter Social: who will they be?
Nominees are being sought for various SPAAR awards now through Friday, November 15. SPAAR is seeking nominations for the following awards.
(click on the Award names below to learn more):



The SPAAR awards will be presented to the recipients at SPAAR's Winter Social event in January 2020.
2020 Membership Renewals due November 30
SPAAR 2020 membership renewals are due on or before November 30, 2019.

Click here for additional information regarding 2020 membership dues. Questions? Contact SPAAR at 651-776-6000. 
Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
SPAARky says:

Know them first.
Do you ever get contacted by new clients who want to work with you? Have a pre-visit meeting, in person, at your office or a coffee shop (or another public setting) to meet and discuss goals and objectives. Request a copy of their driver's license(s) and retain this information in your office. Properly discard of the information when you no longer need it.

We like hearing what tips SPAAR members have to share, too, such as:

I always meet my clients at the property. Years ago I used to suggest riding together, but having access to my own vehicle provides me with a better sense of feeling safe.
What is your #1 safety tip to share?
Please share your safety tip and provide your name and email by sending an email to Jennifer at jkovacich@spaar.com. Members who submit safety tips have their names entered into a monthly drawing for a prize. Furthermore, safety tips will be shared in future issues of eNews. Thank you to all who have submitted one or more safety tips already. Keep them coming!
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:

Jim Crow of the North documentary special showing for SPAAR members in November
SPAAR’s Diversity Committee has scheduled a special showing of Jim Crow of the North, a documentary produced by Twin Cities PBS. J im Crow of the North reveals the history and impact of racist real estate covenants in the Twin Cities. The documentary special showing will take place on Thursday, November 14, from 5:30-7pm at Sunrise Banks, 2525 Wabash Ave, St. Paul (55114). There is no cost to attend.


Jim Crow of the North expands the Diversity Committee’s examination of restrictive covenants and real estate practices that led to disparities in homeownership by people of color. In 2018, the committee partnered with the University of Minnesota’s Mapping Prejudice research to learn how rates of homeownership and land use patterns have been impacted by restrictive covenants. In 2019, the committee developed Owning Up!, an exhibit summarizing real estate practices that created some of the nation’s greatest disparities in rates of homeownership. 

This special screening will include a facilitated discussion led by director Daniel Bergin and Mapping Prejudice researcher Kirsten Delegard.

Register here. Read more about the documentary here.
SPAAR celebrates Rondo's success
SPAAR members turned out to the Rondo Plaza on October 16 to the second annual Brick Ceremony, in which SPAAR was among the honorees to have its brick unveiled as a supporter of the Rondo Community.

At right, SPAAR member and REALTORS ® Charitable Foundation president Amy Peterson takes a picture with Marvin Roger Anderson and other attendees of the event.

Far right: the SPAAR brick.
Locations close to public transit increase real estate values
Neighborhoods located within a half-mile of public transit services outperformed those in areas farther from public transit, according to a recent report from the American Public Transportation Association and the National Association Realtors®.

After exploring seven metropolitan regions, including our own Minneapolis-St. Paul area, the report found that residential properties that provide access to heavy rail, light rail, commuter rail and bus rapid transit had sales prices 4-24 percent higher than the area median. You can find more information about the report here .
Share your ideas and make your voice heard by sitting on one of SPAAR's many committees
" The benefits I've made have been outstanding! I have met so many Realtors as well as other affiliates through tons of networking over the years that has helped me with my business. I feel it is important to get out there and be seen and, as a SPAAR volunteer, I have many opportunities to do so."
-SPAAR Affiliate member

SPAAR is beginning to recruit members for its committees in 2020. Both existing committee members and those new to serving on a committee are welcome to join.

Committees offer opportunities to get to know your Realtor ® peers and those affiliated with real estate. Committees allow ease to network and become involved in programs and projects within the communities where you live and work.

Throughout October and early November, SPAAR's committees will be profiled so members can learn more. Attached is the application; if there is a committee of interest to you, feel free to apply to serve in the upcoming year. Questions? Contact Mandy Boldt at mboldt@spaar.com.
Apply now for Leadership SPAAR Class of 2020
Sharpen your leadership skills in 2020!

Leadership SPAAR is a year-long program designed to identify 8-12 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, Sunday, December 1, 2019. 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 .
Welcome new members!
Welcome to SPAAR! We're glad you're here!
Margaret Belde, RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Noemi Contreras, Coldwell Banker Burnet
Tamara Dawes, Keller Williams Premier Realty
Barbara Drexler-Luzum, Edina Realty, Inc.
Monique Garza, EXIT Realty Springside
Stephen Heyer, Keller Williams Classic Realty
Maureen Jungers, Langer Kerry
James Kerr, Servion Realty
Austin Krautkremer, RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Chase Lenz, Keller Williams Preferred Realty
Kathryn Litke, Keller Williams Premier Realty South Suburban
Xiong Moua, Creative Results
Alan Nathe, Keller Williams Integrity RE
Amber Neu, Pro Source Real Estate Group, LLC
Brianna Notsch, Keller Williams Integrity NW
Joseph Pohl, Keller Williams Integrity RE
Kennedy Rita, Entitle
Makenzie Shofner, Keller Williams Classic Realty
Meg Sims, Foundational Realty
SPAAR in the News
See SPAAR in the news? We'd love to know about it! If you see articles in your local paper about SPAAR members, events or other news, please send an email to  jkovacich@spaar.com  or mail to Jennifer Kovacich at SPAAR (325 Roselawn Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55117) or simply call (651) 287-3922 with the station or publication information. Thank you!
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