eNews
May 14, 2018
Shift happens. Are you signed up yet? 
It's that time of year again! Join other real estate professionals to hear the presentation "Shift Happens" at the Biggest Tuesday Sales Meeting Ever on May 22, 2018, at the Lost Spur Country Club in Eagan. Enjoy a hot breakfast, networking and free CE, while learning best practices for keeping up with an ever-changing real estate industry.
SPAAR's Eagan office to permanently close end of day May 17
SPAAR's Eagan office will permanently close at the end of the business day on Thursday, May 17. At this time, there are no relocation plans for a south metro office; however, there will be a series of meetings with agents and brokers in the south metro to determine their wants and needs. Future plans will be made accordingly.
SPAAR kicks off ongoing safety initiative
Safety is important. At work, at home, online and on the go, safety is a broad and varied topic, and one that SPAAR is taking on on behalf of its members and the communities they serve. SPAAR will be sharing safety tips and education opportunities each week through its newsletter, social media and, as scheduled, through presentations and classes.

REALTORS® are uniquely connected to the communities in which they live and work. SPAAR's safety initiative was designed to be connected and comprehensive. It's intended to cover a wide range of topics pertinent to creating better agents and better communities.

SPAAR recently introduced its new mascot, SPAARky, on Facebook. SPAARky was created to unify SPAAR's safety program and share safety tips. When you see SPAARky, see article below, you'll know he has a message, tip or event to share.
SPAARky says:

Touch base! Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Leave the name and phone number of the client you are meeting and schedule a time for someone from your office to call and check in with you. Safety first!
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 tip and provide your name and email by sending an email to Jennifer at jkovacich@spaar.com and you will be entered into a $25 drawing at the end of May.

Each month, SPAAR poses a question to members, then shares members' responses in the following newsletters.

If there's a question you want answered, feel free to email Jennifer and perhaps it'll be a future topic. Thank you!
Excuse the noise as SPAAR undergoes a minor remodel
SPAAR's St. Paul location will be under construction through mid-June to create and reconfigure existing space following the departure of Royal Credit Union, which used to be housed in the lobby at SPAAR. The remodel will include some new employee offices, a new meeting space and a renovation of another meeting space. Please excuse the noise and any inconvenience if you're onsite during the construction. Construction is expected to be completed the week of June 11.
SPAAR members partner with Urban Roots to help build a hoop house

SPAAR partnered with Saint Paul's Urban Roots on May 9 to help with construction of a hoop house at the site of the nonprofit organization's urban farm, located near Rivoli Bluff in St. Paul. 
 
Urban Roots teaches area children about gardening, nutrition and cooking. Urban Roots received a grant from the SuperBowl 52 Committee for the hoop house, an unheated growing shelter that uses sunlight to extend the growing season. Volunteers assembled and raised steel trusses that will be wrapped with heavy gauge plastic sheeting.
 
This project was also a partnership with the School For Environmental Studies (SES) in Apple Valley; SES student Margaret McKinley helped plan and lead the volunteer project as part of her service learning capstone project at the school. 
 
Thank you to SPAAR volunteers Nick Krueger (pictured above), Meghan Howard, Lisa Maxwell and Bill Schwietz!
New dental plan open to members and their families

Beginning today, May 14, the Minnesota REALTORS is offering a new dental plan available to members and their families. This new comprehensive plan includes huge savings, large network options and great plan benefits including orthodontic services.

Plan enrollment is currently open. Contact Eric or Andy at MN Health at (651) 348-7220 or eric@minnesota-health.com to learn more.
SPAAR's Professionalism Committee wants you!
SPAAR is looking to expand its membership on the Professionalism Committee with a few new members. If you have an interest in helping members raise the bar in real estate, please contact Mandy Boldt at mboldt@spaar.com or complete this committee application and select "Professionalism."
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!
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