eNews
April 16, 2018
Raise a glass at Cheers for Charity and support SPAAR's Charitable Foundation

It's almost time to raise your glass in an effort to support the children and grandchildren of SPAAR members, as event proceeds will benefit the association's scholarship program. In 2017, three teenagers, the children or grandchildren of SPAAR members, were awarded scholarships toward their 2- or 4-year college programs. And in 2018, scholarships will be awarded again with up to five recipients receiving $2,000 scholarships each!

How can you help? Attend a fun evening out at BlackStack Brewing on Tuesday, April 24. There will be local brews, appetizers and opportunities to network with peers and colleagues. And best of all, ticket proceeds directly support the Charitable Foundation's scholarship program! Unable to attend? Your purchase of a ticket will help fund scholarships given to the kids and grandkids of SPAAR members.

Click here to sign up for the Cheers for Charity event today!
Homeownership: are you ready?
Are you getting ready or ready again to become a homeowner? If so, don't miss this session on Saturday, April 21, from 9:30am to 2pm at the John B. Davis Education Service Center in Minneapolis.

SPAAR will have a table at the event where volunteers will answer questions about the home-buying process and cake will be served in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. It's a great networking opportunity. Contact Joe McKinley at (651) 772-6344 if you're able to help in any way or register here to attend.
What is your best advice for potential buyers to successfully find their perfect abode?

In today's tight-housing market where it's commonplace for multiple offers, SPAAR asked members to provide their best advice for potential buyers to successfully find their perfect abode and here are some answers received from members:

"Have a plan! Have your down payment ready to go, or consider not having a contingency clause for the seller."


"Purchase a home warranty as part of the offer, then obtain seller coverage as part of the warranty plan. It can be presented to the seller as a benefit knowing they'll have warranty coverage until the closing date, plus an additional year of coverage, which may alleviate some liability for the seller, as well."

 

"Get to know the selling agent!"

 
Thanks to those members who provided an answer to this month's question. Do you have a new idea or a question? If so, please share.

Each month, a new question will be asked in eNews in hopes to share the responses of SPAAR members with SPAAR members. Your questions are welcome! Feel free to propose your idea as a question of the month by sending an email to jkovacich@spaar.com.
Service opportunity for SPAAR members: help community partner Urban Roots build a hoop house
Good afternoon:
My name is Margaret McKinley. I am a senior in high school at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley. I am working on a senior project as part of my curriculum and graduation requirement. For my project I have decided to work through SPAAR with nonprofit Urban Roots to help organize a service learning project.
 
Urban Roots is an organization whose goal is to empower youth through nature, healthy food and community. The activity we have organized is building a hoop house, which is a tunnel made with metal pipes and a plastic covering for growing of plants. It is similar to a greenhouse, except the plants are planted directly in the ground and there is no heater. These can extend the growing season by a month on either end.
 
Here's how you can help: We are looking for 10-12 volunteers on Wednesday, May 9, from 9am to 3pm. (Half-day shifts are also available). Volunteers should be willing and able to follow directions to use tools such as drills and hammers. This is the first-ever hoop house at Urban Roots so you could help make history! Please contact SPAAR if you are interested in volunteering!
 
Margaret McKinley*
 
*Margaret is the daughter of Joe McKinley, SPAAR's Community Engagement Director. Questions? Want to help? Please call Joe at 651-772-6344 or jmckinley@spaar.com .
NAR new logo on hold

Last week, SPAAR shared that the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) had introduced its new logo (at right); however, due to concern and mixed reactions from members nationwide, the decision is currently on hold. SPAAR will share more as information in regard to the REALTOR® membership mark, which members can use to identify themselves as a NAR member, as it is learned.
RealSatisfied: a new benefit for SPAAR members
How is RealSatisfied working for you?

SPAAR now provides RealSatisfied as a free, member-only benefit. Rolled out to all members in February, this tool is designed to help REALTORS® be more competitive in the real estate marketplace.

Brokerages and managers are not required to take any action to implement RealSatisfied, as the tool has been purchased by SPAAR for individual SPAAR members; however, if an office wants broker access the broker dashboard may be purchased for $600 per office annually.

RealSatisfied has information to get started and tutorials to learn how the tool works.
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
Lisa Bromwich
 Keller Williams Realty Integrity Northwest
Katherine Bruhnding
 RIC Property Management, Inc.
Jason Daley
 Keller Williams Premier Realty South Suburban
Reis Grams
 Keller Williams Classic Realty
Joseph Ihrig
 Average Joe's Handyman Services
Tabitha L'Allier
 Keller Williams Premier Realty
Penny Mack
 Re/Max Advantage Plus
Jeffery Matthews
 Woodbury Realty, Inc.
Rebecca McDermid
 Keller Williams Premier Realty
Tyler Obermueller
 Anchor Real Estate Trust, LLC
Craig Pahlen
 Edge Real Estate Services
James Rainwater
 Lawrence Realty Inc.
Benjamin Rajavuori
 Re/Max Advantage Plus
Tim Rowland
 Berkshire Hathaway HomeService
Travis Sommerfield
 Coldwell Banker Burnet
Heather Stumbo
 Keller Williams Premier Realty
Steve Tregembo
 Anchor Real Estate Trust, LLC
Kimberly Welman
 Integrity Realty
Adam Wingenbach
 Edina Realty, Inc.
Vilany Yang
 Creative Results
Wendy Young
 Coldwell Banker Burnet
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