June 15, 2020
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.

Together, the three Associations are creating short, medium and long-term plans to address community needs and ways for members, staff and the community to help the cities in their recovery, rebuilding and reconciliation. In doing so, the Associations will be sharing web pages on their respective sites that jointly share information in the following four categories:

  • Learn and Engage
  • Donate
  • Volunteer and Rebuild
  • Resources and More

These categories will be updated as new information is made available. Email spaar@spaar.com with any questions.
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.
Karen Thao is the newest SPAAR Hero!
Maikor (Karen) Thao is a Realtor® with Realty Group out of Apple Valley and a member of SPAAR. Karen has been named SPAAR Hero for April 2020. Note: SPAAR had a backlog of recipients to be named as the coronavirus temporarily shifted priorities. SPAAR Heroes will be announced each week throughout the month of June, and then back to the monthly schedule moving forward.

Before Karen became a Realtor®, she worked as a nurse in the hospital, and still does today. She received her BSN from the college of St. Catherine in 2008. In 2018, she went back to nursing school for her Master’s degree while congruently beginning to plan, organize and setup for a Twin Cities Chapter of the Hmong Nurses Association. 

Born in Thailand, Karen is inspired to bring her community together. She wants to encourage and empower nurses to become more educated, share western medicine and take hold of the opportunities available in the US.  

The HNA currently has four active chapters in three states. An active chapter needs a minimum of 11 members; the Twin Cities chapter has 30 members. The HNA has a vision of empowering Hmong nurses to strengthen their career and reach their fullest potential in the nursing profession in solidarity of sharing knowledge to improve and to sustain the health of its members and the community. Karen states they are open to other ethnic groups that share a similar vision of sharing and empowering the community.

In 2013, with her passion for a healthy community, Karen began dreaming of a career in real estate. In 2015, she received her family’s blessing and pursued her goal to attend real estate classes and finalize her license. Karen enjoys helping her community to discover the housing they desire; it’s an extension of how she’s able to help build a healthy community. In her spare time, Karen enjoys sketching human portraits.

Congratulations, Karen!

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 Chelsea Erickson who interviewed and wrote the article on Karen. If you think someone should be named a SPAAR Hero, contact Joe McKinley at jmckinley@spaar.com.
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. 
Minnesota Housing provides homeownership information
Minnesota Housing has shared information it hopes can help clients of SPAAR members on their path to homeownership. Click here to learn more .
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
Consideration of St. Paul’s proposed SAFE Housing Tenant Protections Ordinance has been delayed. This ordinance was introduced in response to St. Paul’s housing shortage. This ordinance creates a chapter of rights for renters. These rights include limits on security deposits and applicant screening guidelines for prospective tenants. Read the full ordinance 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:

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!
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