February 24, 2020
Spotlight on SPAAR: Hear about education opportunities offered to members
SPAAR's weekly videos highlight timely news, events 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.


Have a video idea? Email spaar@spaar.com with the subject: SPAAR video idea.
REALTORS® Charitable Foundation now accepting grant applications
The REALTORS® Charitable Foundation, affiliated with the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS® (SPAAR), has a grant program set up to designate funds to qualifying internal and external groups as chosen through an application process.

An applicant’s request will be considered based on the criteria that it includes one or more components from SPAAR’s four primary areas of focus, called Pillars, intended to create Better Agents and Better Communities. The Pillars are:
▪ Advocacy 
▪ Community Engagement
▪ Professional Development
▪ Communications

Learn more about the REALTORS® Charitable Foundation grant opportunities and apply today. Application due date: April 1, 2020
Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
SPAARky says:

Lock it up!

Remind your clients to lock up their valuables before a showing, but also to lock up or remove items such as medicine, mail, passwords, keys and anything else that could be of potential interest to visitors of the property.

We like hearing what tips SPAAR members have to share, too, such as:

The basics are important. Trust your gut. If it feels wrong don't do it, but rather listen to your gut. When meeting someone new who i don't know, I tell someone I trust where I will be and have them call me at a given time. Also, allow your clients to enter the home first and do not follow them into any rooms. And lastly, keep your phone with you and charged at all times.
What is your #1 safety tip to share?
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!
Applications now available for REALTORS® Charitable Foundation 2020 Scholarship Program
Students who are the children or grandchildren of current SPAAR members (including Affiliate Members) and who will be entering or continuing a degree or certificate program at a college or trade school in fall 2020 are invited to apply. 

The Charitable Foundation will award up to five $2,000 scholarships.  Click here for updated eligibility information and application.

The deadline to apply is Friday, April 24, 2020. Questions? Email spaar@spaar.com or call Joe McKinley at (651) 772-6344.

The scholarship program is made possible through the generosity of SPAAR’s members, with support from SPAAR’s Affiliates Committee. Thank you!
Fifth annual Blue Star Mothers Collection Drive
Now through April 3, SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee is partnering with Blue Star Mothers of America to collect donations for We Care Packages. These are care packages sent to men and women from SPAAR’s area serving active duty. Drop off donations at SPAAR (Coon Rapids or Saint Paul) or consider hosting a collection box in your office. 

Items to donate:
Snacks: granola bars, oatmeal, drink mix, single servings of coffee or tea, jerky and more!
Toiletries: deodorant, baby powder, unscented wipes and more!
Activities: note cards, colored pencils, adult color, puzzle books and more!
Donations: to defray shipping costs are also welcome.

NAR Midyear scholarships now being accepted
Interested in advocacy? Apply now to be an Emerging Leader and be able to represent SPAAR at the NAR Midyear conference this May. Click here to apply for the Emerging Leader scholarship .
Hastings Annexation Project is in the community news
At last week's meeting, the Hastings City Council unanimously voted in favor of extending the city limit boundary to include a 40-acre property west of General Sieben Drive and south of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. The application was submitted to the city by TC Land who is interested in developing 120 single-family and villa homes.  Learn more about the Hastings Annexation Project here.
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 new members!
SPAAR's New Member Orientation (NMO) in 2020 has changed to a two-day format so new members will be announced the last eNews of each month.

Apply to be part of the Saint Paul Planning Commission
The Saint Paul Planning Commission is seeking new members to fill seven openings within five of its wards. Learn more about the Saint Paul Planning Commission and its application process.
SPAAR in the News
See SPAAR in the news? We'd love to know about it! If you see articles in your local paper about SPAAR members, events or other news, please send an email to  jkovacich@spaar.com  or mail to Jennifer Kovacich at SPAAR (325 Roselawn Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55117) or simply call (651) 287-3922 with the station or publication information. Thank you!
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