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SPAAR offices will be closed on Wednesday, July 4. Have a safe and happy Fourth!
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2018 third quarter MLS fees are past due
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Due to the 4th of July holiday, SPAAR will not be suspending MLS accounts for non-payment until Monday, July 9, 2018. As long as SPAAR receives payment prior to this date, MLS accounts will remain active and members will not incur a $25 MLS reinstatement fee.
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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:
Don't be too public. Limit the amount of personal information you share. Consider minimizing what you include in your advertising details such as your photo, full name, personal phone number and address. Minimize any opportunity that can make you a target.
SPAAR members have shared some great tips, too, including:
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Make sure to lock the doors on the opposite side of your gas tank when pumping gas. People have experienced their belongings being stolen while the driver is focused on filling the car. Locking the doors provides an added measure of safety."
"Listen to your gut. Always error on the side of safety to protect yourself. If it feels wrong, reevaluate the situation."
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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 July.
THANK YOU to all who have provided safety tips. Please keep them coming. They're great!
Congratulations to Linda Warner of Coldwell Banker Burnet - Grand Avenue for having her name drawn among the June entries for the $25 gift card.
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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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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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Newsletter annual update conducted
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SPAAR recently updated its mailing lists for the eNews and Education & Events newsletters that are distributed on Monday and Thursday, respectively. This update helps ensure all SPAAR members interested in receiving weekly updates receive them to their preferred email address. Should you choose to opt out at anytime, contact Jennifer Kovacich at
jkovacich@spaar.com.
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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 Members
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Organization
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Jennifer Cary
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Arthur Grant Realty
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Derek Dittmer
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MRG Realty Partners, LLC
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Samuel DuFault
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RC Fields
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Trista Duffy
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RE/MAX Professionals
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Zach Hepburn
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Zachary R. Hepburn Appraisals
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Song Her
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Empire Realty LLC
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John Hopkins
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Keller Williams Premier Realty
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Christopher Kerr
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Edina Realty, Inc.
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Troy Kimble
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Edina Realty, Inc.
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Alex Meier
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Keller Williams Premier Realty
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Panghoua Moua
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Empire Realty LLC
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Shawn Murphy
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Ferndale Realty
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Ronald Nelson
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Edina Realty, Inc.
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Jordan Ramler
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Realty Group, Inc.
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Trevor Wolgast
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Elite Realty Minnesota, LLC
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Karissa Zimmer
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Keller Williams Premier Realty South Suburban
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