April 20, 2020
Friday, April 24, is the deadline for this year's REALTORS® Charitable Foundation 2020 Scholarship Program -- apply today!
"The SPAAR scholarship benefited me by allowing me to focus more time on my studies, rather than working extra hours to pay for tuition and living expenses," said Madeleine Grant, a Pharmacy student at North Dakota State University.

"Applying for this scholarship is a step towards taking charge of your academic career and becoming a role model for those following in your footsteps," said Carin Gutzwiller, a Biokinetics: Pre-PT major at Bethel University.

"This scholarship was a benefit to me because I have a twin brother, and it is very expensive for two kids to go to college at the same time," said Hannah Affolter, a Biology major with a minor in Longevity and Aging at St. Catherine University.

Madeleine, Carin and Hannah were all recipients of SPAAR's REALTORS® Charitable Foundation scholarships in 2019.

Do you have a child or grandchild seeking a post high school education?

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 REALTORS ® 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!
April is Fair Housing Month: SPAAR members declare fair housing for all
SPAAR members throughout the month of March during its Board of Director and SPAAR Committee meetings took the REALTOR® Fair Housing Declaration to focus on the importance of fair housing for all. Watch the video to see members take the Declaration in action .
SPAAR Cares: May 31 is the new, extended deadline for NAR members to register at no cost for TeleHealth
The National Association of REALTORS ®  (NAR) announced earlier this month that it will be expanding access to Members TeleHealth SM  at no cost to members for those who register before May 31, 2020. The program comes as part of NAR’s larger  Right Tools, Right Now  (RTRN) initiative is making numerous valuable resources available to the association’s 1.4 million members at reduced or no cost.  

Members TeleHealth SM  provides around-the-clock access to non-emergency healthcare from more than 2,300 board-certified U.S. physicians including common issues such as allergies, asthma, rashes, joint aches, flu and nausea, among others.

NAR is funding two months of services for members who lack access to telemedicine and enroll in this program before May 31. Recognizing that the opportunity will likely draw significant member interest, NAR has also negotiated a discounted rate for those who wish to retain coverage following the two month, no-cost period. For more information, including the TeleHealth application,   click here.
NAR offers additional member support during COVID-19
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has taken steps to support its members, including those who are experiencing challenges as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis.
 
For members who need help finding resources or have questions related to COVID-19 and real estate, NAR's Member Support Team is ready to help via its new hotline at  (800) 874-6500 ,  which is accessible between 8am and 6pm CST, Monday through Friday.
 
NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now   program is another way the Association is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Members are welcome to visit  nar.realtor/coronavirus  for regular updates as well as reach out to SPAAR at  spaar@spaar.com .
Comprehensive FAQ released by NAR regarding unemployment benefits for independent contractors
NAR earlier in April released a comprehensive FAQ regarding enhanced unemployment benefits that are now available to independent contractors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program, funded by the federal government, it is being implemented voluntarily by each state including Minnesota, which will participate. SPAAR continues to receive many member inquiries about unemployment benefits and is in regular communication with Minnesota REALTORS® to learn the latest news and information.

Click on this link to see the new NAR FAQ , which has answers to many questions that have been asked in recent days and weeks. SPAAR will continue to share updates as they are known.  Click here to read the latest on Minnesota Unemployment Insurance .
NAR provides graphic illustration that compares funding programs
The National Association of REALTORS® has shared an informative graphic of the two key federal government relief programs to help those impacted during COVID-19. Click here to see the model that compares the Paycheck Protection Program and the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan .

REALTORS® Charitable Foundation accepting grant applications through May 15 -- feel free to share with those who should apply!
The REALTORS® Charitable Foundation, affiliated with the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS® (SPAAR), is accepting applications for grants from qualifying internal and external groups.

"There are many challenges during these difficult times, and REALTORS® rise to challenges every day working under pressure, solving problems for their clients and giving back to their communities," said Amy Peterson, chair of the REALTORS® Charitable Foundation. "The REALTORS® Charitable Foundation is looking for opportunities to continue making a difference by helping our communities regroup and rebuild with these grants."

Applications will be considered based on the criteria that it includes one or more of 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 to find the application to apply today. The grant deadline is May 15, 2020.
Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
SPAARky says:

Go inside when the thunder roars.

Did you know thunderstorm winds can exceed 120 mph, which is stronger than most tornadoes? Lightning causes $1 billion in damage each year and is hotter than the surface of the sun! On average, nearly 50 people die per year in the U.S. due to lightning (down from an average of nearly 330 people per year in the 1940s), and nearly four times as many men are killed as women. Hail can exceed softball size (5” diameter) and does even more damage when driven by the wind.

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

Now that most of us are doing virtual meetings, pay attention to your background. Even working from home, whether meeting virtually with clients, business partners or others, it's good to keep the setting professional whenever possible. Of course, it's not always possible and everyone understands today's challenges.
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!
Facilitated discussion sheds light on Newsday's investigative report on discriminatory practices during April's Fair Housing Month
Newsday paired undercover actors, posing as potential homebuyers, to compare how REALTORS® worked with Asian, Latino, black and white clients and, in November 2019, produced Testing the Divide, an investigative report on discriminatory practices of REALTORS® in several communities in New York. The report showed significant and widespread discrimination and brought calls for change in the industry. Many states, including Minnesota, have proposed improving enforcement of the Fair Housing Act.
SPAAR’s Diversity Committee watched the Newsday report at its meeting in December and had great discussion about clients, fairness and potential enforcement issues. 

Now, we’d like to invite you to join this conversation!

On Thursday, April 30, from 1 to 2:30pm, join a facilitated discussion about Testing the Divide. The conversation, led by Henry Morimoto from Minnesota Housing and Sue Nichols, 2020 Diversity Committee Chair, will address: 

  • How should the Fair Housing Act be enforced? 
  • Should Minnesota use twinned testing of Fair Housing Compliance? 
  • How do you respond to discrimination in the marketplace?
 


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Take note of member education opportunities with CE this week and next
SPAAR is offering the following four education classes taking place this week and next. You may click on the highlighted link to register.

April 23 at 9am: Using Statistics to Enhance Your Business (1 hour CE)
April 27 at 10am: Safety Strategies for REALTOR® Professionals (1 hour CE)
April 28 at 2pm: Using Statistics to Enhance Your Business (1 hour CE)
April 29 at 10am: Getting Started with Commitment to Excellence (1 hour CE)
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.

SPAAR's NMO has been postponed due to the coronavirus/COVID-19. SPAAR will look forward to sharing new member names and group photos when NMO resumes.
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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