eNews
August 12, 2019
SPAAR announces Board of Director nominees

The 2019 Nominating Committee has completed the selection process to fill open positions for the 2020 Board of Directors. The new directors, as named, are Robbie Grossman, Brianne Lawrence and Enrique Ramos.

Per the Association bylaws, on or before September 1, the final report of the Nominating Committee shall be delivered either electronically or by mail to each REALTOR ® member.  Additional candidates may be nominated by petition signed by at least 75 REALTOR® members and directed to Tracey Douglas at SPAAR at at  tdouglas@spaar.com  no later than September 15, 2019. Any nominations so made shall be added to the list of nominees selected by the Nominating Committee and all such nominees shall appear on a ballot to be voted on by REALTOR® members.
 
Installation of the elected Officers and Directors shall take place during the annual meeting in January 2020. This notice serves as the delivery of the Nominating Committee report. 
SPAAR REALTOR ®  members earn GRI Designation

SPAAR REALTORS® Christopher Anderson, Laurie Hanson, Tammi Kousoulos, Christopher Michaelson and Angela Wettschreck were recently awarded the highly-acclaimed national Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation. In completing the required curriculum, the following join other top REALTORS® in the residential real estate industry from across the nation who hold this designation:  
  • Christopher of Keller Williams Integrity Realty in Minneapolis
  • Laurie of Edina Realty in Elk River
  • Christopher of Real Estate Masters, Ltd. in St. Paul
  • Tammi of Servion Realty in New Brighton
  • Angela of Bridge Realty, LLC in Bloomington
Additional information about the Institute and other educational opportunities for professional real estate agents may be obtained by contacting the Minnesota Association of REALTORS® at (800) 862-6097.
 
Congratulations to the above REALTORS® on this honor!
Last week to Pack the Bus before kids head back to school!

School supply shopping is in full swing throughout the Twin Cities.  SPAAR's Backpack and School Supplies Donation Drive will support the Fostering Love Project, the Adoption is Love Fund and the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. Items can be dropped off at SPAAR through Friday, August 16.

Help SPAAR pack the bus by donating backpacks and school supplies or consider a monetary gift. Did you know $20 fills a backpack? And stores such as Five Below, Menards, Target and Walmart, to name a few, have some great school deals going on now.

Check out  SPAAR's Charity Registry at Target if you prefer to shop or donate online or you may drop items off at SPAAR's office locations in Maplewood or Coon Rapids. Questions? Contact Joe McKinley of SPAAR at jmckinley@spaar.com or (651) 772-6344.
Check your email for 2020 membership renewal notices

SPAAR 2020 Membership Renewal Notices were sent by email on August 7 from billing@spaar.com. If you do not see your renewal notice in your inbox, be sure to check the spam or junk folder so you do not miss any important information. 

If payment is not received on or before November 30, a $50 late payment fee will be added to the amount due.
Click here to view important 2020 dues billing information. 

If you have questions regarding your membership renewal, contact SPAAR at (651) 776-6000.
 
Please review your invoice and log into your portal account no later than September 25, to take advantage of the flexible dues billing payment option, which is available only to primary REALTOR® members and does not apply to MLS-only members, affiliates, secondary members, unlicensed REALTOR® assistants or new REALTOR® members.
 
Check out the links below for more helpful information:
DIRECTIONS FOR CHOOSING THE PAYMENT PLAN OPTION  (For Primary REALTOR® Members ONLY). 
Consider joining a new Business Development subcommittee at SPAAR

SPAAR is evaluating the creation of a Business Development subcommittee. This new subcommittee would be part of SPAAR's Government Affairs committee, and would aim to build upon local, national and international investment into the Twin Cities region. The committee would leverage partnerships and resources to promote Saint Paul and East Metro development opportunities.  Interested in learning more? Want to join the subcommittee?

Direct inquiries and questions Bobby Goldman, Government Affairs Director, at  bgoldman@spaar.com  or (651) 772-6350.
City of Cottage Grove and Ramsey County advocacy updates 

A proposal for a $19 million community center will be presented to voters in November 2020, the Cottage Grove City Council decided last Wednesday.  The referendum will be placed on the November 2020 ballot and calls for a community center on a 14-acre site at Keats Avenue and East Point Douglas Road, near U.S. Highway 61. The  SPAAR advocacy team is monitoring developments and will provide updates as they occur. Read more here.
 
The total budget in Ramsey County is proposed to grow to $763 million by 2021, up from the $736 million approved budget in the current fiscal year. Transportation projects seeking funding increases include Gold and Rush bus lines and the Riverview Corridor, along with equity and inclusion initiatives, which account for much of the 9.46 percent levy increase over two years. SPAAR plans to engage the County during upcoming public hearings before budget approval in December. Find out more here.
Free CE classes will soon result in a fee for no-shows  

Beginning on October 1, the free CE classes offered at SPAAR will result in a $25 fee for no-shows in order to create space for members interested and able to attend a class. This change has been approved by SPAAR's Board of Directors, comprised of volunteer REALTOR ® members, to allow for all seats to be filled when these classes are offered. 


Please contact Kristin Parker at kparker@spaar.com or (763) 489-3303 with any questions you may have. Thank you.
Nominations wanted! Who will you suggest 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 sponsored by the REALTORS® Charitable Foundation and 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. 
 
Send Your Nominations!
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.
Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
SPAARky says:
 
Mind what you share
A strong online presence and marketing materials are a big part of being a REALTOR® . Be mindful of what personal information you share, and where you share it.
 
We like hearing what tips SPAAR members have to share, too, such as:
A big dog dish and leash are a great way to say "beware" even if you don't have any pets. It can be an inexpensive way to deter a would-be burglar.
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!
SPAAR in the news
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!
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
SPAAR welcomes its newest members
Welcome, new members! We look forward to working with you.
New Member
Organization
Alicia Ashley Keller Williams Premier Realty
Jacob Cayo Bridge Realty, LLC
Michele Crawford Coldwell Banker Burnet
Patricia Grant-McDonald Timber Ghost Realty, LLC
Lucy Hoppe High Pointe Realty, Inc.
Paul Hoppe  High Pointe Realty, Inc.
Benjamin Johnson HomeWire, Inc.
Genevieve Kappel Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices North Properties
Carrie Killian Edina Realty, Inc.
Kuamojua Lee Creative Results
Kimball Martin Vanguard Home Inspection
Daniel Morlock Edina Realty, Inc.
Derrick Pfeffer RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Deborah Ruiz Homes Plus Realty
Caylin Stately Edina Realty, Inc.
Robert Ulwelling Northstar Real Estate Associates
Teng Vang Partners Realty Inc.
Zong Vang Partners Realty Inc.
Pang Yang Bee Realty, LLC
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