June 22, 2020
Preparedness Plans required to be in place by June 29
In accordance with Minnesota’s “Stay Safe” phase of the COVID-19 pandemic all businesses, including real estate brokerages, are required to adopt a Preparedness Plan by Monday, June 29.

SPAAR is resharing this information, which was previously sent to all members from Minnesota Realtors® (MNR) the week of June 15.
PPE now for sale at SPAAR
SPAAR now offers Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including a kit containing a mask, rubber gloves and an alcohol wipe for $3 + tax. Another new item is a Realtor face mask for $8 + tax.

These items are available for no-contact pickup at both the Maplewood and Coon Rapids SPAAR offices.

Interested in making a purchase? Contact SPAAR at spaar@spaar.com or call (651) 776-6000.
SPAAR assists members with questions, store purchases and more
Did you know that in addition to contacting SPAAR with questions, members can still purchase sign riders and electronic lockboxes and conduct non-contact pickups in SPAAR's vestibule at its 325 Roselawn Avenue East location.

Simply contact SPAAR at spaar@spaar.com or (651) 776-6000 to learn more or make arrangements.
SPAAR partners with area Associations to assist Minneapolis, Saint Paul and surrounding communities
SPAAR continues to work in collaboration with Minnesota Realtors® and Minneapolis Area REALTORS® in response to the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.

In doing so, SPAAR is sharing opportunities for members who are interested to volunteer in short, medium and long-term rebuilding efforts. In addition, there are resources listed to educate about racial injustice in our communities, information about how to donate goods or funds as well as how to engage in actions that bring about necessary change.

Email spaar@spaar.com with any questions.
Spotlight on SPAAR: how to have an effective virtual meeting
The week's SPAAR video features Affiliate member Cindy Koebele providing tips on how to have an effective virtual meeting.

Each week, SPAAR highlight's timely news, events and key information to help 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.
Seanne Thomas is the newest SPAAR Hero!
Seanne Thomas has been named a SPAAR Hero for her involvement in and continuous work on “building community one family at a time” with a focus on the East Side of Saint Paul. Currently the broker-owner of ABC Realty, Seanne was looking to take her company to the next level. She realized that to achieve results, she had to, in her words “get out of her own way” and build on her business and communication skills. Seanne struck on the opportunity to engage in a program with Landmark Worldwide to enhance her personal and business leadership acumen.

A component of this training was to plan and work on a community project of her choice and she focused on the homeownership gap that exists, particularly in her own community of Saint Paul’s East Side.

What started as a discussion with the co-executive director of the East Side Freedom Library evolved into a series of community conversations and workshops around housing affordability, homelessness, tenant protections and housing development. Her work has evolved into something bigger and more long-lasting than the original intent of her class project. Seanne envisions the work of her brokerage and its agents as catalysts for change on the East Side.

After a career as a part-time, cosmetics salesperson, full-time insurance underwriter and corporate trainer, Seanne decided to make a change in her life. Sales skills come naturally to Seanne, so she chose to pursue residential real estate as the next phase of her career. She also sees herself as a teacher, which adds to her repertoire of skills when working with buyers and sellers.

Seanne has been a Realtor® for 19 years and continues to live on the East Side with her husband of 33 years and three sons. Seanne is committed to her community and serves on the Payne Phalen District Five Planning Council Board of Directors.

Congratulations, Seanne!

SPAAR Hero is a program of SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee, sponsored by SPAAR’s REALTORS® Charitable Foundation. Members of SPAAR’s Communications Committee interview and write the SPAAR Hero articles. Thank you to SPAAR President Patrick Ruble who interviewed and wrote the article on Seanne. If you think someone should be named a SPAAR Hero, contact Joe McKinley at jmckinley@spaar.com.
Third quarter MLS invoices are due June 30
Third quarter MLS billing notices were sent by email on June 1 from billing@spaar.com . If you do not see the notice in your Inbox, 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.
SPAAR now accepting applications for its 2021 Board of Directors
Have you ever thought about getting involved in the Board of Directors at the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®?

SPAAR's 2020 Nominating Committee is looking to fill three director positions for 2021. The position is a three-year term and directors are asked to make attendance a priority for all Board meetings, which typically occur once a month.
 
SPAAR is also accepting applications for its 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 as well as 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  on or before June 30, 2020. Questions? Contact Tracey Douglas at tdouglas@spaar.com. 
Join Good Morning YPN this Wednesday to hear Chris Galler provide an update on COVID-19 update and moving forward
Hear from Minnesota REALTOR® Association CEO Chris Galler on Wednesday, June 24, from 10-11am as he discusses how business should be conducted moving forward, what the State Association believes are the key issues around COVID-19 as well as what the State Association is focusing on and where your focus should be.

Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
SPAARky says:

Hot weather is headed to the Twin Cities. Here are five tips to keep you safe:

  • Stay indoors during extreme heat. If you have be outdoors, take breaks in the shade or step into air conditioned space periodically.

  • Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water or sports drinks with electrolytes. Avoid soft drinks.

  • 10 to 3: not for me! Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day, which are typically 10am to 3pm, athough that can vary.

  • Look before you lock. Have children or pets? Be sure they aren't forgotten in a vehicle.

  • Knock and talk. Check on your neighbors, parents or elderly friends to ensure their safety.
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!
Be informed: St. Paul Tenant Protection Ordinance
Saint Paul’s proposed SAFE Housing Tenant Protections Ordinance is expected to pass this Wednesday, June 24. The ordinance creates a number of new rights for renters, including limits on security deposits and applicant screening guidelines for prospective tenants. You can read the latest version of the ordinance here.

Contact Khayree Duckett at kduckette@spaar.com or Joe McKinley at jmckinley@spaar.com with any questions.
Planning workshop participants wanted in Inver Grove Heights
The City of Inver Grove Heights is looking for community members, including residents and representatives of businesses, non-profits, and community groups, to participate in planning workshops, beginning late-July. Through Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Program, this stakeholder group will create an IGH Energy Action Plan that helps businesses and residents lower their energy usage and costs. The group will work together to brainstorm goals and strategies to connect the community to energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities.

The Energy Action Team will meet for five workshops over a 6-month period. With current social distancing guidelines, the first meeting will be held virtually in late-July. Interested in joining or learning more? Contact Ally Sutherland at (651) 604-8511 or asutherland@invergroveheights.org .
SPAAR introduces new Government Affairs Director, Becky Wegscheid
SPAAR would like to introduce Becky Wegscheid as its newest Government Affairs Director. Becky joined SPAAR on June 1 and works closely with Khayree Duckett, also a Government Affairs Director at SPAAR.

Becky served in the Peace Corps in the Ukraine. Her previous experience includes working with the Federal Executive Board, an association of federal employees. Becky also completed an internship in Senator Klobuchar’s office. Becky can be reached at bwegscheid@spaar.com. Welcome, Becky!
SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee donated $1,000 to benefit Hallie Q. Brown Center
SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee contributed $1,000 on June 19 toward Hy-Vee’s stuff-the-truck event that is collecting food and personal items for area food shelves. The Hy-Vee in Oakdale will benefit the Hallie Q. Brown Center Food Shelf in Saint Paul. The Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, nicknamed the Lighthouse of the Community, has served the Summit-University neighborhood since 1929.

SPAAR members Tracy Baglio, Sammi Cook-Kuehn, Caroline Dixon, Shannon Melloy and Amy Peterson took part in making the donation.
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:

Follow SPAAR on social media today
Stay tuned to SPAAR's news, education and events by following the Association on social media: Facebook , Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. Visit SPAAR's website and click on the social media icon under the Member Login for the platform of your choice , or follow SPAAR on all platforms!
Join SPAAR's Facebook group for members only
Check out the SPAAR Facebook page created specifically for members here .
Welcome new members!
We welcome your photos!

SPAAR's New Member Orientation (NMO) has moved online during this time of COVID-19.

If you've taken part in a virtual NMO session and have a picture of yourself in class, please email it to Luke Fleck at lfleck@spaar.com. Thank you and welcome to SPAAR!
Connect with SPAAR