eNews
March 12, 2018
SPAAR sponsors launch of VAREP
Are you interested to learn about a national chapter that is putting down roots in the Twin Cities? If so, now's your chance!

The Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP) is a nonprofit that was established in 2011 and currently has chapters in many cities throughout the U.S.

VAREP is dedicated to increasing sustainable homeownership, financial-literacy education, VA loan awareness and economic opportunities for the active military and veteran communities and does so through a five-point plan:
  • Homeownership advocacy
  • Community outreach
  • Professional membership
  • Veteran job creation
  • Affordable housing
On Tuesday, March 20, 2018, VAREP will hold its Twin Cities chapter launch at the Eagan Community Center from 6-9pm with SPAAR as one of the VAREP event sponsors.
Blue Star Mothers "We Care" Collection Drive extended through Friday, March 23
 
Now through Friday, March 23, SPAAR's Community Engagement Committee is sponsoring the third annual Blue Star Mothers "We Care" Collection Drive. The committee is collecting packaged snacks and toiletries for "We Care Boxes." These are care packages that are sent to members of the military.
 
Please help by displaying a poster or hosting a drive in your office or items can be delivered to any SPAAR Office. Bulk donations or cash donations are welcome to help defray shipping expenses.
 
Questions? Contact Joe at SPAAR: 651-772-6344 or jmckinley@spaar.com.
SPAAR Impact supports Better Agents and Better Communities
SPAAR Impact was created to designate funds to qualifying internal and external groups as chosen through an application process. An applicant's request will be selected based on SPAAR's objective to create Better Agents and Better Communities using the criteria that includes one or more components from SPAAR's four primary areas of focus:
  • Advocacy
  • Community Engagement/Consumer Outreach
  • Professional Development
  • Communication

Click here to learn more about SPAAR Impact. 
RealSatisfied: a new benefit for SPAAR members
Are you a RealSatisfied user yet?

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.

Among the tool's features, agents are able to send customer satisfaction surveys to both buyer and seller clients at the close of each transaction and, in return, collect valuable feedback and testimonials that can then be easily added to websites, social media feeds and sites such as Realtor.com.

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.

Go to spaar.com to find more information about RealSatisfied including how to get started and tutorials to learn how the tool works, and more.
First quarter MLS fees due by March 31
 
First quarter MLS billing was sent by email on March 1 from billing@spaar.com.
 
If you do not see the notice in your Inbox, please check your SPAM and junk folders in order to not miss this important information. As a reminder, a payment must be received on or before March 31 to avoid suspension of MLS access. If payment is not received on or before March 31, there will be a $25 reinstatement fee. To access your portal account, please click here.
 
Feel free to contact the membership staff at SPAAR at (651) 776-6000 should you have any questions regarding first quarter MLS fees.
Students: share what it means for dreams to come true as part  of the Fair Housing essay and poster contests
Share what it means to make dreams come true, the topic of the 2018 Fair Housing essay and poster contest.

April is National Fair Housing Month and 2018 is the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. Sponsored by the Diversity Committee of the Saint Paul Area Association of  REALTORS® (SPAAR), this is an opportunity to learn about, remember and talk about the protections provided by  the Fair Housing Act (FHA).  Students are invited to share the impact of the Fair Housing Act.  How has the FHA impacted  you ,  your family or your community?
 
Students in grades 6 to 12 are encouraged to take part in the Fair Housing essay contest  and younger students in grades K through 5 are encouraged to share their talents by taking part in the Fair Housing poster contest: making dreams come true.

Essays and posters are due April 13, 2018. Click on the links above for more detail.
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 to SPAAR, new members!
Welcome to SPAAR! Thank you for joining. We look forward to helping you to be successful in your business.
Member name
 Organization
Amanda Berndt
 RE/MAX Synergy
Jennifer Birkholz
 Edina Realty, Inc.
Pha Chang
 Creative Results
Amy Coury
 Coldwell Banker Burnet
Leola Crabbe
 Keller Williams Integrity RE
Jennifer Doolan
 Keller Williams Integrity RE
Kevin Ely
 Edina Realty, Inc.
Rebecca Felt
 Greater Midwest Realty
Griselle Figueroa Carrion
 Best Realty LLC
Sue Finney
 Keller Williams Premier Realty
Tiffany Greenway
 Greater Midwest Realty
Bradley Kirscher
 Advex Realty LLC
Jodi Knoke
 Keller Williams Classic Realty
Hilary Kostichka
 Edina Realty, Inc.
Kathryn Kramer
 Coldwell Banker Burnet
Ryan Mohar
 RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Scott Moua
 Wang-Yu Realty, LLC
Malinda Mullins
 Keller Williams Classic Realty
Tammy Newman
 Think Mutual Bank
David Przetycki
 Coldwell Banker Burnet
Rianna Redig
 Complete Management Services
Timothy Sprague
 Keller Williams Classic Realty
Christopher Thai
 Realty Group, Inc.
Jamie True
 Coldwell Banker Burnet
Van Truong
 Bridge Realty, LLC
Matthew Van Horn
 Bridge Realty, LLC
Zeke Webber
 Crossroads Realty, Inc.
Linda Wesely
 NextHome Perrine & Associates Realty
Jacob Wondrasch
 RE/MAX Results

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