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SPAAR's Coon Rapids office will be closed on Friday, August 30. The Maplewood office will be open its regular hours from 8:30am to 4:45pm.
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Don't violate a seller's safety, privacy or trust
A person's home is often their largest purchase and as REALTORS® it's crucial to provide homeowners peace of mind that their property is protected during an open house or when showing to clients.
SPAAR in recent weeks has received an influx of calls from upset agents about the carelessness of showing agents, so this article is a reminder to consider the important role all REALTORS® have in helping clients to buy or sell a home. Following the rules also helps ensure safety for all parties involved.
It should be no surprise that unauthorized access is a lock box violation that carries a substantial fine or that leaving a property unsecured could create potential liability for the agents who don't properly secure a property when leaving the premises.
Furthermore, it's up to each REALTOR® to extend professional courtesies such as providing feedback on showings, leaving a business card behind after a showing and abiding by agreed upon appointment times.
Thank you to all the REALTORS® and SPAAR members who work to make this a highly-regarded profession and important part of your job without violating the safety, privacy or trust of clients. Questions? Contact Tracey Douglas of SPAAR at tdouglas@spaar.com or call (651) 772-6349.
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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.
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Zach Duckworth is the July SPAAR Hero
Zach Duckworth's path to becoming a REALTOR® followed his time in the National Guard and graduating from the University of Saint Thomas. When he became licensed in 2010, he joined the ranks of his mom, also a REALTOR® and SPAAR member; Zach is an agent with Keller Williams' Team Lucky Duck.
In the community, Zach also serves on the Lakeville Schools Board of Education and has coached the mock trial team. He is also a member of the VFW and Rotary, and is a volunteer firefighter, something he's always wanted to do.
"Admittedly, I'm not a golfer," says Zach, whose family includes wife, Carly, and children, Grace and Logan. "I like to watch movies and be involved in the community through service work. Being a firefighter works into my schedule because it's voluntary and serving on the school board allows me to help shape the district for the kids in our community."
Zach's work with the fire department and his military service allowed him to work with veterans, build trust with those individuals, and really understand the VA loans and programs available.
Zach says that by volunteering in areas where he is naturally interested, it allows him to maximize his time doing what he likes while also aligning with his passions and profession.
Congratulations, Zach, for being named SPAAR Hero for July 2019! Your reach in volunteer work is positively impacting the communities you serve!
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2020 membership renewals due on or before November 30
SPAAR 2020 membership renewals are due on or before November 30.
If interested in the flexible dues billing payment option, please review your invoice and log into your portal account no later than September 25 to take advantage of this option, which is available only to primary REALTOR® members and does not apply to MLS-only members, affiliates, secondary members, unlicensed REALTOR® assistants and new REALTOR® members.
Click here for additional information regarding 2020 membership dues. Questions? Contact SPAAR at (651) 776-6000.
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Have you found the SPAAR bench yet?
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While at the Minnesota State Fair, be sure to check out one of the newest blue benches near the Grandstand. A SPAAR bench is making its debut with information about the member organization also shared. SPAAR President Patti Jo Fitzpatrick can be seen on the new bench, below. Post your photo to social media with #spaarbench in the caption. SPAAR will announce two winners at random after Labor Day for a fun prize.
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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.
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Consider applying for the Hillcrest Community Advisory Committee
The City of Saint Paul is slated to redevelop the 112-acre Hillcrest Golf Course site on Saint Paul's East Side. The city is accepting applications to join a 10-member committee that will provide public input to city staff throughout the master planning process. SPAAR is working to have REALTOR® interests represented throughout the planning process, and asking for Association members who live in Saint Paul and Maplewood to consider applying for this committee.
Committee work starts in October, and meetings will take place one Tuesday a month from 5 to 6:30pm, though scheduling may change as needed. Applications to join the Hillcrest Community Advisory Committee will be accepted through Sept. 6 at
stpaul.gov/hillcrest
. Questions regarding the Advisory Committee or the Hillcrest development can be sent to Bobby Goldman, Government Affairs Director, at bgoldman@spaar.com or (651) 772-6350.
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Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
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SPAARky says:
Do not ignore your gut feeling. If something doesn't feel quite right about a situation, avoid it.
We like hearing what tips SPAAR members have to share, too, such as:
Check to be sure all doors are locked before you leave a home, especially if your clients, or their kids, explore the property on their own.
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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)!
THANK YOU to all who have submitted one or more safety tips. Keep them coming!
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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!
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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
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Remembering Rondo now showing through September 8
The Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis is currently exhibiting
Rose and Melvin Smith: Remembering Rondo through September 8. The Smiths, Minnesota artists who currently live in Eagan, were residents of Saint Paul's Rondo neighborhood for many years. Their artwork consists of many urban scenes and portraits that present realist, expressionist and at time allegorical takes on Black life in America, according to the University of Minnesota calendar.
In 2018, SPAAR provided a $50,000 grant to the Rondo Avenue, Inc, toward the purchase of a building that will house a future Rondo Community museum.
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SPAAR welcomes its newest members
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Welcome, new members! We look forward to working with you.
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| Jacob Daniel |
Coldwell Banker Burnet |
| Jacob Doan |
Realty Group, Inc. |
| Leah Gunderson |
Covenant Realty, LLC |
| Jenna Knutson |
Garnet Real Estate Services |
| Fred Lehnert |
Mr. Radon |
| Armin Nazarinia |
Keller Williams Integrity RE |
| Mee Vang |
Creative Results |
| Ryan Walters |
Coldwell Banker Burnet |
| Shakeela Wells-Johnson |
Journey Realty |
| Miranda Wright |
Edina Realty, Inc. |
| Ger Xiong |
Creative Results |
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