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June is license renewal month. Review your CE transcript to see that you comply
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All licenses are on a two-year renewal cycle. All agents are required to complete at least 15 hours of approved Continuing Education every year, for a total of 30 in each renewal cycle.
The 2017-18 module requirement is "Agency, Fair Housing and Special Entities Authority."
The deadline for continuing education credits is June 29, 2018 (agents should check with their broker as their deadline could be earlier). Make sure you have met all of your requirements by visiting Pulse Portal. Note: In order to receive an email notification in the case of license suspension, please make sure that your email address is current with the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
If you have any questions, please contact Beth Keen, SPAAR's education & events director, at bkeen@spaar.com or (763) 489-3303.
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SPAAR welcomes nominations for Board of Directors
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Consider being on the Board of Directors for the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®. The 2018 Nominating Committee is looking to fill three director positions for 2019. This position has a three-year term and directors are asked to make attending all Board meetings a priority.
SPAAR is also accepting applications for three officer positions: treasurer, president-elect, and president.
How will I benefit? As a Board Member you'll have:
- Opportunities to both learn from and teach others
- Direct involvement in decisions that affect the association
- A broader professional network of members, the community and civic leaders
- New experiences that develop professional and personal skills
- Social opportunities that often lead to lasting friendships
If you are interested in applying for a Board position, please complete an
application form and return it to
Tracey Douglas at tdouglas@spaar.com no later than Friday, June 29, 2018.
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Third quarter MLS invoices are due June 30
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The third quarter MLS billing was sent via email on May 31 from billing@spaar.com. If you do not see the notice in your inbox, please check your SPAM and junk folders so you do not miss out on this important information.
As a reminder, payment must be received on or before June 30 to avoid suspension of MLS access. If not paid on or before June 30, you will incur a $25 reinstatement fee.
To access your portal account, please click here. If you have questions regarding your third quarter MLS fees, do not hesitate to contact the association at 651-776-6000.
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SPAAR kicks off ongoing safety initiative
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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. When you see SPAARky, see article below, you'll know he has a message, tip or event to share.
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SPAARky says:
B
e in charge.
Be sure your cell phone has a full battery charge or the availability to charge it. Keep your phone with you at all times.
SPAAR members have shared some great tips, too, including:
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Safety over fashion! It's okay to ditch the high heels for open houses and showing appointments. Always wear comfortable shoes you can move freely in as it may be necessary to move quickly in an emergency situation. Plus, it's much safer when you're putting up and taking down open house signs."
"When I'm hosting an open house, I always access all exits prior to opening the doors.
When meeting clients at a home to show, I provide my spouse a list of the times I am showing along with the addresses where I'll be."
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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 and you will be entered into a $25 drawing at the end of June.
THANK YOU to all who have provided safety tips. Please keep them coming. They're great!
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| Does your neighborhood host a National Night Out block party? Are you a block captain or party organizer? If so, SPAAR will donate hot dogs and buns for your block party coupled with safety information you can provide to your neighbors. If you fill this role, contact Mandy Boldt at mboldt@spaar.com with your neighborhood block party count for National Night Out. |
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Make your vote count to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program
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The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a vital program to homeowners in Minnesota, and is essential to the success of REALTORS® both locally and nationally. Yet, the program is set to expire on July 31, 2018, and we must act now to tell Congress to reauthorize the program because for each month that NFIP lapses, 40,000 property sales nationally, and many right here in Minnesota, are at risk, threatening the ability for people to buy homes and for REALTORS® to earn a living. Click here to read more and vote.
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NAR membership dues to increase for 2019
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The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) members will see a membership dues increase from $155 to $185 for 2019.
NAR has provided the following explanation for the increase:
- $17 dedicated to REALTOR® Party Programming (75 percent to state and local services; 25 percent to federal advocacy) with focuses on federal issues advocacy, and state and local issues mobilization fund.
- $13 dedicated for operations and programming with focuses on forms and transaction management platform; occupancy costs; strategic business, innovation and technology; and financial wellness program for members.
- $35, which is a carry over fee from previous years for the Consumer Advertising Campaign special assessment that qualifies as fully deductible.
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Update: 2018 Blue Star Mothers Collection Drive
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In January and February, SPAAR's members contributed items for We Care packages that were sent to service members on active duty. And just last week, on June 21, the Blue Star Mothers hosted a pack-a-thon where they filled and prepared We Care packages for shipment. Thanks to everyone who participated (and are pictured above)!
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It's coming... don't miss the bus!
Watch for information next week about Pack The Bus!, SPAAR's annual backpack and school supply collection drive.
The collection drive is coordinated by SPAAR's Community Engagement Committee (that's Committee Chair Diana Allen driving the bus, above).
This year's drive will benefit two local nonprofits-both of these nonprofits were started by Realtor® members of SPAAR! This year's collection drive will run from June 18 through August 3.
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Changes coming to forms on August 1
The MN REALTORS® Forms Committee held its final meeting for fiscal year 2018 on May 23.
There will be residential and commercial forms changing within the MN REALTORS® forms library. The revised forms will be released and become effective on
August 1, 2018. Members should begin using the revised forms on and after August 1.
Stay tuned for a detailed description of what is changing or log into Minnesota REALTORS® to learn more.
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SPAAR's Professionalism Committee wants you!
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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."
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RealSatisfied: a new benefit for SPAAR members
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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.
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Excuse the noise as SPAAR undergoes a minor remodel
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SPAAR's St. Paul location is currently under construction 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. Thank you.
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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!
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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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Welcome to SPAAR! There are many ways to get involved and grow your business. We look forward to meeting you!
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New Member
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Organization
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Rachel Benoit
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Edina Realty, Inc.
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Kimberly Clarke
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Edina Reaty, Inc.
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| Angela Coffey |
Keller Williams Premier Realty
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Mark Ferris
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North Star Appraisals
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Mike Golaski
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Radon Environmental Management
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Mary Kerrigan
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Coldwell Banker Burnet
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Korena Klein
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Keller Williams Integrity Realty
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Mark Kolsrud
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Colliers International
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Victoria Malm
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Exit Realty Rivertown
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Sean McDermott
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Greenwell Realty
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Jennifer Mitchell
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Edina Realty, Inc. - Rochester
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Bernard Morgan
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Morgan and Trust Realty
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Samuel Ortmann
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Keller Williams Integrity NW
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Maiyoulet Souvannarath
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Realty Group, Inc.
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