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Habitat for Humanity offers first-time homebuyer program in the Twin Cities
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity offers hope and reality for qualified first-time homebuyers in the Twin Cities seven-county metro area.
The Buy with Habitat program is aimed to help individuals and families who have not owned property in three or more years to get into a home with no down payment and no mortgage insurance. The buyer(s) must meet set requirements to qualify for the program and be eligible for the affordable, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage they can use to purchase a Habitat build or a home on the open market, valued up to $328,200.
"One misconception is that we only work with low-income clients, but that's not the case as this program is designed to help the working class who don't earn enough to quality for a traditional mortgage on their own yet want to purchase a home on the open market. While there is an income cap, we work with buyers of varying incomes," said Jen LaCroix, Community Loan Officer at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. "Loans are only as good as the person who originates them, so it's important to really understand our clients' current situation so that they will succeed and are set up for a brighter future."
REALTORS® can support clients who qualify for and choose to purchase their first home through the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity program; the REALTOR® just needs to be aware the process may take more time and be willing to allow for it.
"Working to get the pre-approval takes time because clients go through classes beforehand, which helps them to become educated about the process," said Adade Amenounve, Homeowner Development Coordinator at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity as well as a local REALTOR®.
"We encourage REALTORS® who work with first-time homebuyers to consider joining the Habitat REALTOR® network. This helps us share our program beyond word of mouth, which is typically how clients found us."
Adade continued, "The open market
program allows buyers to purchase anywhere they choose in the seven-county metro with financing from Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's wholly-owned non-profit mortgage company, TCHFH Lending Inc."
Jen and Adade of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity will be onsite at SPAAR on Thursday, July 18 for a Lunch 'n Learn from 12-1:30pm. Come to hear about the program and enjoy lunch provided by SPAAR's Diversity Committee. Sign up today!
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Last week to apply to be on SPAAR's Board of Directors
Consider serving on the Board of Directors for the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS® (SPAAR). The 2019 Nominating Committee is looking to fill three director positions for 2020. The 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.
What are benefits of serving as a director or officer of SPAAR?
As a Board Member you'll have:
- Opportunities to both learn from and teach others
- Direct involvement in decisions that impact 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
All candidates must have been a member of the association for one year prior to the date of the nomination and must be a REALTOR® member in good standing with no ethics violations within the past year.
If you are interested in applying for a Board position, complete the application form here no later than Friday, June 14, 2019. Questions? Contact Tracey Douglas at tdouglas@spaar.com.
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Come help pack with Blue Star Mothers
The next Blue Star Mothers packing event is this Thursday, June 13. If you'd like to join in the experience of the "We Care" box process, boxes will be assembled from the donations received. Packing and clean up will be done by 9pm.
Contact Joe McKinley of SPAAR at jmckinley@spaar.com or (651) 772-6344.
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CNU is coming to the Twin Cities in 2020!
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Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) is holding its 28th Annual Congress in the Twin Cities from June 10-13, 2020.
What is CNU? Members of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) help create vibrant and walkable cities, towns and neighborhoods where people have diverse choices for how they live, work, shop and get around. People want to live in well-designed places that are unique and authentic. CNU's mission is to help people build those places. The goals of New Urbanism align with many of the objectives of SmartGrowth, promoted by the National Association of REALTORS
®
.
With 19 local and state chapters and headquarters in Washington, DC, CNU works to unite the New Urbanist movement. The projects and campaigns serve to empower its members' efforts, identify policy opportunities, spread great ideas and innovative work to a national audience while catalyzing new strategies for implementing policy through design approaches.
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Third quarter MLS invoices are due June 30
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Third quarter MLS billing notices have been sent from billing@spaar.com. If you do not see the notice in your Inbox, please check your spam or junk folders.
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, please contact the association at 651-776-6000.
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License renewals and education deadlines are nearing
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License renewals are due next month. Be sure you're up to date on your education requirements: check your
pulse portal transcript to find out your status. Also, note that deadlines may vary so be sure to check with your broker and plan accordingly.
Questions? You may reach out to your broker, the Minnesota Department of Commerce or SPAAR. At SPAAR, contact Kristin Parker at kparker@spaar.com.
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Supra DisplayKEY invoices to be sent soon
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If you are a Supra DisplayKEY holder, please watch for your invoice to come from Supra this week, the week of June 10. Invoices will be due on or before July 17, 2019
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Be ready for new forms come August
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The MN REALTORS® Forms Committee is finalizing the FY 19 changes for the MN REALTORS® approved forms ("Forms). The revised Forms will be released and become effective August 1, 2019. Members should begin using the revised Forms on and after August 1st.
Almost every Form will be changing this year due to the Forms Committee adopting a change to the format of date fields throughout the Forms to one blank line, instead of the "Month, 20XX" format. Additionally, the representation and facilitator agreements will be modified to include a printed name field in the signature areas of the forms.
The following Commercial Forms will have substantive changes: Commercial Buyer and/or Tenant Representation Contract: Exclusive; Commercial Buyer and/or Tenant Representation Contract: Nonexclusive; Commercial Listing Contract: Exclusive; Commercial One Time Showing Contract; Commercial Purchase Agreement; and Purchase Agreement: Land (Non-Residential).
The following Residential Forms will have substantive changes: Addendum Purchase Agreement: Condominium/Townhouse/Cooperative Common Interest Community ("CIC"); Addendum to Purchase Agreement: Counteroffer; Addendum to Purchase Agreement: Subsurface Sewage Treatment System and Well Inspection Contingency; and Buyer Representation Contract: Exclusive.
Learn more about the Forms
here.
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SPAAR members welcome to Toastmasters
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SPAAR members are always welcome to attend the Toastmasters meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 1-2pm. The next meeting takes place on Tuesday, June 18.
Learn more here.
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Visit a SPAAR Committee to learn what it's all about
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There are many ways to be involved in SPAAR from joining the Board of Directors, to attending events or serving one of the many committees available. SPAAR members are the key to committee success, and there are always new opportunities for involvement. If you're interested in checking out a SPAAR committee, contact the staff liaison below to find a meeting date and time that work for you. You're always welcome!
Below are the SPAAR committees and respective contacts:
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Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
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SPAARky says:
Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Even going between showings in the hot sun can take extra energy. Keep cool and safe.
We like hearing what tips SPAAR members have to share, too, such as:
I keep wasp spray with me -- I've needed it a few times!
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Learn how to bring a safety class to your office!
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Did you know SPAAR offers the class Safety Matters? This one-hour class is approved for one Continuing Education credit, and can be presented at your office sales meeting. Inquire for more details by emailing spaar@spaar.com. Let's work together to make safety a top priority!
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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.
We've had so many GREAT safety tips shared since SPAAR began its weekly focus on safety. Please share one of your tips if you haven't already (or send another)! It's great to learn from each other. THANK YOU to all who have submitted one or more safety tips. Keep them coming!
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Nominations requested for the next SPAAR HERO
Each month, a member of SPAAR is recognized for their community involvement by being named SPAAR Hero. SPAAR Hero is coordinated by the Community Engagement Committee. Each month's SPAAR Hero is recognized in a news release, on social media and on SPAAR's website, and receives $250 for the nonprofit or cause they support.
Know someone who should be recognized as a SPAAR Hero? To nominate a SPAAR Hero, please provide details of the nominee's community service and the name of the cause or organization they support to Joe McKinley at (651) 772-6344 or jmckinley@spaar.com.
SPAAR Hero is sponsored by the REALTORS® Charitable Foundation.
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New requirements for residential leases are effective now
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The Minnesota Legislature has adopted new requirements for residential leases that are effective immediately. The revised law (Minn. Stat.
§ 504B) now requires a written residencial lease must:
1) Identify the specific unit the residential tenant will occupy before they sign the lease, for residential buildings with 12 or more units
2) Identify the lease start date and lease end date
3) Indicate the amount of prorated rent on the first page of the lease, dependent on the tenant move in or move out date
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Sign up today for the Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament!
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Choose red, white or blue -- all teams for a great cause!
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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:
Local Market Updates
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SPAAR welcomes its newest members
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Welcome, new members! We look forward to working with you.
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Donald Archibeque
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Arch #1 Building Inspection Services
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Theresa Basting
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Coldwell Banker Burnet
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Matthew Bergstrom
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RE/MAX Advantage Plus
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Jennifer Carson
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RE/MAX Advantage Plus
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Frederick Corrigan
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Edina Realty, Inc.
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Kostantine Ebralidze
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Keller Williams Classic Realty
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Stephanie Fix
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Anchor Real Estate Trust, LLC
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Cecilia Giron
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RE/MAX Advantage Plus
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Scott Hangge
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Keller Williams Integrity RE
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Jane Hanson
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Brownstone Realty
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Mallary Heintz
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RE Realty LLC
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Jon Ivascu
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Lenders Appraisal Services, Inc.
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Elizabeth Kroshus
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Keller Williams Classic Realty
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Jessica Kuss
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DR Horton, Inc.
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Tonya Love
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Keller Williams Integrity RE
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James Meister
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Keller Williams Premier Realty
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Susan Minich
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Coldwell Banker Burnet
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Dalton Oldenburg
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Edina Realty, Inc.
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Cherre Palenius
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Keller Williams Premier Realty
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Kimberly Pratt
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RES Realty
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Jamison Reinking
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Keller Williams Integrity NW
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Samuel Schoenborn
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Coldwell Banker Burnet
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