Contact-less merchandise pick up is available at SPAAR during office business hours. Due to Covid, the SPAAR building is closed to members through June 30, 2021. Email spaar@spaar.com or call (651) 776-6000 with any questions. |
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In this issue of SPAAR's eNews:
- Spotlight on SPAAR: Communications is the hub for information
- Update on S.A.F.E. Tenant Protections Lawsuit: landlords seek to block tenant protections
- Enjoy a great pasta meal and support REALTORS® Charitable Foundation
- Scholarship opportunities for 2021 are now available
- SPAAR announces newest members to earn C2EX endorsement
- Check out SPAAR's online store -- now open for business!
- Deadline extended: SPAAR’s Key Communities Program seeks LPCs
- Learn about the USDA Rural Development Programs
- SPAAR's DEI committee learns about local housing programs providing community assistance
- Clean up and help make Saint Paul even more beautiful
- Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
- Housing Market Statistics
- Join SPAAR's Facebook group for members only
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Spotlight on SPAAR: Communications is the hub for information |
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SPAAR's weekly videos highlight timely news, events, member features and key information to help benefit members in their business. As such, these videos complement content also shared in SPAAR's newsletters, on its website and on social media.
Interested to join a SPAAR Committee? It's never too late. Click here to learn more and apply. Interested to being a part of Toastmasters? Email Jennifer at jkovacich@spaar.com to learn more and check out an upcoming meeting.
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Update on S.A.F.E. Tenant Protections Lawsuit:
Landlords seek to block tenant protections
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A group of landlords recently filed suit against the City of Saint Paul to stop implementation of the S.A.F.E. Tenant Protections ordinance that was passed in July 2020 and became effective March 1, 2021.
The S.A.F.E. in the S.A.F.E. Tenant Protections ordinance stands for Stable, Accessible, Fair and Equitable. The chapter ordinance restricts how landlords can screen potential tenants, sets a limit on security deposits, reduces the number of “just causes” for removing a tenant, implements an advance notice policy and sets a rent affordability limit, among other things.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District court on February 15 on behalf of more than 20 landlords, highlights Saint Paul’s “just cause” mandate intended to prevent non-renewals of apartment leases, new tenant screening guidelines and the advance notice of sale of affordable housing. The lawsuit alleges that these new housing protections are violations of due process rights, illegal takings and mandated forms of speech, and make it harder to screen out unreliable tenants or force them out. The City of Saint Paul has not filed a response.
S.A.F.E. Tenant Protections went into effect March 1. The ordinance remains in effect, despite the lawsuit being filed a few weeks before implementation and enforcement were set to begin. This could change if the City’s legal response to the lawsuit is submitted and the Judge decides to put a pause on the ordinance until a verdict is reached. There are a variety of outcomes that could occur as a result of this lawsuit, including:
- the lawsuit could be struck down and the S.A.F.E Tenant Protections ordinance could remain completely intact.
- certain provisions of the ordinance could be stricken from the law, and others kept, or
- the entirety of the ordinance could be stricken, and the law would be removed from the books.
This ordinance was a controversial one, which is why SPAAR fought it when it was introduced. The policy was approved unanimously by the Saint Paul City Council; there was little chance SPAAR could have defeated it. In approximately 18 months the City of Saint Paul is set to reevaluate the ordinance, during which time SPAAR staff will accumulate both qualitative and quantitative data in preparation for the reevaluation of the ordinance.
If you have questions regarding SPAAR’s position or response to this action, contact SPAAR’s Government Affairs Directors, Simon Opatz or Becky Wegscheid.
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Enjoy a great pasta meal and support REALTORS® Charitable Foundation |
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SPAAR’s REALTORS® Charitable Foundation is hosting a spaghetti dinner drive-thru event on Thursday, April 8, between 3pm and 5pm.
SPAAR’s Affiliate Committee will be participating by coordinating a wine pull in conjunction with the spaghetti fundraiser.
A delicious dinner, wine and drive-thru ease, all for a great cause.
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Scholarship opportunities for 2021 are now available |
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SPAAR’s REALTORS® Charitable Foundation in 2021 will award up to five $2,000 scholarships to the children or grandchildren of current SPAAR members who will enroll as new or continuing students in college or trade school.
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SPAAR announces newest members to earn C2EX endorsement |
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SPAAR is excited to announce three members who have become endorsed to earn the National Association of REALTORS®' Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) program honor. LaTasha Johnson and Daniel Hegberg were endorsed in February; and MaraLynn Kubacki was endorsed in March.
C2EX is a self-guided assessment that generates customized learning paths in 10 competencies including the areas of data security, technology, client service and professional reputation, among others, that lead to an endorsement from NAR that members use to show peers and clients they maintain the highest professional standard in the business. Learn more about C2EX here.
Congratulations LaTasha, Daniel and MaraLynn on your C2EX endorsements!
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Check out SPAAR's online store -- now open for business! |
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SPAAR’s online store continues to grow and now has 43 products available. Orders placed by 10am Monday through Friday are available for pick up the same afternoon between 2 and 4:30pm from SPAAR’s 325 Roselawn Avenue East location in St. Paul. This is SPAAR’s pilot period of this new service to members; contact the Association office at (651) 776-6000 with questions or comments.
Click here to access SPAAR’s online store.
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Deadline extended: SPAAR’s Key Communities Program seeks LPCs |
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The SPAAR Key Communities Program's goal is to build strong ties with communities in SPAAR’s 12-county jurisdiction. The Government Affairs Committee, comprised of active Realtor® members, will select three communities each year representing SPAAR's Government Affairs Subcommittees in the Central, Northern and Southern regions. In 2021, SPAAR's Key Communities are Coon Rapids, Farmington and Oakdale.
This program will bring together local, state and national Realtor® programs and resources to enhance the partnership between Realtors® and local communities. SPAAR will establish a volunteer Local Political Coordinator (LPC) position in each community. The LPC will advocate for policy initiatives that support a fundamentally sound and dynamic local real estate market, serving as the educator to their respective communities regarding vital issues in the industry.
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Learn about the USDA Rural Development Programs |
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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) currently offers many opportunities for homebuyers in rural areas. These programs are meant to further those ideals in rural communities, defined as generally fewer than 35,000 people. Determine area eligibility here.
The Direct Home Loan Program offers financing to qualified very low- and low-income applicants that are unable to qualify for traditional financing. This program is meant to help people obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas. The amount of assistance is determined by the adjusted family income. Loan funds may be used to help low-income individuals or households purchase homes in rural areas. Funds can be used to build, repair, renovate or relocate a home, or to purchase and prepare sites, including providing water and sewage facilities.
The Home Improvement Loan & Grant Program offers a maximum loan amount of $20,000 at a one percent interest rate, repayable for a 20-year term. For the maximum $7,500 grants, the applicant must be 62 or older and not be able to repay a repair loan. These funds can be used to improve or modernize homes and make essential repairs. Loans and grants may also be used to remove health and safety hazards. Applications for this program are accepted year-round.
Are you interested in hearing more from the USDA Rural Development Office? Contact Becky Wegscheid at bwegscheid@spaar.com for more information.
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SPAAR's DEI committee learns about local housing programs providing community assistance |
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One half of the mission of SPAAR’s Committee for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is “to promote homeownership to diverse individuals and communities.” One way the committee furthers this goal is by learning about new programs and expanded resources to assist clients. On Thursday, March 18, SPAAR’s DEI committee heard presentations from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Minnesota Housing on programs available to assist homeowners.
Kevin Harris from Wells Fargo presented on W-F’s “Dream.Plan.Home.” Program, which provides a closing cost credit to eligible consumers purchasing a primary residence. The program was designed to address gaps in homeownership; the credit can be combined with down payment assistance provided by Wells Fargo’s NeighborhoodLift Program and with financing provided by MN Housing Finance Agency, in many cases. For information, see: https://www.wellsfargo.com/mortgage/jump/closing-cost-credit
Minnesota Housing representatives El Karnwie-Tuah and Christina Akinola gave the committee an overview of the state agency, and described partner mortgage programs, Start-up, for first-time homebuyers, and Step-up, for repeat or current homeowners. MHFA is committed to addressing disparities in rates of BIPOC homeownership. In 2019, 34.3 percent of MHFA loans went to BIPOC. The agency’s limits on down payment assistance loans increased March 1, 2021. For information or to find a partner lender, see: Find a Lender (mnhousing.gov)
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Clean up and help make Saint Paul even more beautiful |
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The City of Saint Paul Department of Parks & Recreation has announced its annual Citywide Spring Cleanup will be April 24, from 9 to 11:30am.
Opportunities to help tidy up parks and public spaces will be available throughout Saint Paul with locations and times still being confirmed. This pandemic-appropriate volunteering opportunity is outdoors, and raking is best accomplished while social distancing. Bring a friend or challenge your team or office to participate.
Send a selfie: Email a selfie of yourself volunteering and you will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Menards gift card. Email your photo to spaar@spaar.com.
Questions? Contact Joe McKinley of SPAAR at (651) 772-6344 or learn more here.
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Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members |
SPAARky says:
Vaccine information available for those seeking answers
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The Minnesota Department of Health reported zero deaths from COVID-19 as of today, March 22, for the first time in nearly a year, excluding holiday reporting.
More than one million Minnesotans have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with many others wondering when it will be their turn. Interested individuals may refer to the State website to learn more or sign up for notifications here.
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What is your #1 safety tip to share? |
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Please share your safety tip and provide your name and email by sending an email to Jennifer at jkovacich@spaar.com. Member safety tips will be shared in future issues of eNews. Thank you to all who have submitted one or more safety tips. Keep them coming! |
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Housing Market Statistics |
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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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Join SPAAR's Facebook group for members only |
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Check out the SPAAR Facebook page created specifically for members here.
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