October 28, 2019
SPAAR REALTOR® members earn GRI Designation
SPAAR REALTORS® Thomas “Chris” Chapman, Marisha Moriarity and Amanda Hollen 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:

Thomas “Chris” Chapman of Sunset Realty in Maplewood
Marisha Moriarity of RE/MAX Results in Apple Valley
Amanda Hollen of Realty Group, Inc. in Forest Lake

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!
Dinner plans, anyone? Plan for a meal out tomorrow evening at SPAAR
Come enjoy a hearty pasta dinner tomorrow evening. Catered by Yarusso Bros Italian Restaurant, the meal will include pasta with both meat and meatless sauces, salad, bread and more.

What's better than comfort food on a perfect fall evening with friends, family, clients or your peers? And children are invited to wear their Halloween costumes and  trick or treat!


When: Tuesday, October 29 from 4-7pm.
Where: SPAAR, 325 Roselawn Avenue East
Cost: $10/person or $25/family.
Proceeds benefit SPAAR's REALTORS® Charitable Foundation.

Award winners to be announced at SPAAR's Winter Social: who will they be?
Nominees are being sought for various SPAAR awards now through Friday, November 15. SPAAR is seeking nominations for the following awards.
(click on the Award names below to learn more):



The SPAAR awards will be presented to the recipients at SPAAR's Winter Social event in January 2020.
2020 Membership Renewals due November 30
SPAAR 2020 membership renewals are due on or before November 30, 2019.

Click here for additional information regarding 2020 membership dues. Questions? Contact SPAAR at 651-776-6000. 
Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
SPAARky says:

Know them first.
Upon entering an open house property for the first time, check each room and determine at least two escape routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked for easy access to the outside.

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

When I'm taking clients on a showing tour, I give my spouse and a colleague an itinerary so they know who I'm with, where I'm going and when I expect to be there.
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. Members who submit safety tips have their names entered into a monthly drawing for a prize. Furthermore, safety tips will be shared in future issues of eNews. Thank you to all who have submitted one or more safety tips already. Keep them coming!
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:

Jim Crow of the North documentary special showing for SPAAR members in November
SPAAR’s Diversity Committee has scheduled a special showing of Jim Crow of the North, a documentary produced by Twin Cities PBS. J im Crow of the North reveals the history and impact of racist real estate covenants in the Twin Cities. The documentary special showing will take place on Thursday, November 14, from 5:30-7pm at Sunrise Banks, 2525 Wabash Ave, St. Paul (55114). There is no cost to attend.


Jim Crow of the North expands the Diversity Committee’s examination of restrictive covenants and real estate practices that led to disparities in homeownership by people of color. In 2018, the committee partnered with the University of Minnesota’s Mapping Prejudice research to learn how rates of homeownership and land use patterns have been impacted by restrictive covenants. In 2019, the committee developed Owning Up!, an exhibit summarizing real estate practices that created some of the nation’s greatest disparities in rates of homeownership. 

This special screening will include a facilitated discussion led by director Daniel Bergin and Mapping Prejudice researcher Kirsten Delegard.

Register here. Read more about the documentary here.
Five Saint Paul City Council candidates endorsed by SPAAR's RPAC
As the November 5 election nears, here's a reminder of those the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS® (SPAAR) REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) has endorsed: Dai Thao, Rebecca Noecker, Chris Tolbert, Amy Brendmoen, and Jane Prince for Saint Paul City Council.

“SPAAR & RPAC are proud to support candidates who will work hand-in-hand with us to advance real homeownership and private property rights in the East Metro,” said SPAAR President-Elect Patrick Ruble.


Tune in to eNews next Monday to read about many of the elections taking place in your community.
Share your ideas and make your voice heard by sitting on one of SPAAR's many committees
" The benefits I've made have been outstanding! I have met so many Realtors as well as other affiliates through tons of networking over the years that has helped me with my business. I feel it is important to get out there and be seen and, as a SPAAR volunteer, I have many opportunities to do so."
-SPAAR Affiliate member

SPAAR is beginning to recruit members for its committees in 2020. Both existing committee members and those new to serving on a committee are welcome to join.

Committees offer opportunities to get to know your Realtor ® peers and those affiliated with real estate. Committees allow ease to network and become involved in programs and projects within the communities where you live and work.

Throughout October and early November, SPAAR's committees will be profiled so members can learn more. Attached is the application; if there is a committee of interest to you, feel free to apply to serve in the upcoming year. Questions? Contact Mandy Boldt at mboldt@spaar.com.
Apply now for Leadership SPAAR Class of 2020
Sharpen your leadership skills in 2020!

Leadership SPAAR is a year-long program designed to identify 8-12 emerging leaders from within SPAAR membership and empower them to maximize their leadership potential and advance their efforts to build successful real estate careers.
 
Application deadline: Midnight, Sunday, December 1, 2019. Email the completed application to Mandy Boldt at mboldt@spaar.com . The Professionalism Committee will review applications and schedule interviews with finalists. Participants will be notified in mid-January. Apply here .
Welcome new members!
Welcome to SPAAR! We're glad you're here!
Naser Ameen, Edina Realty, Inc.
Todd Blank, Real Estate Masters, Ltd.
Joshua Drivdahl, Edina Realty, Inc.
Jake Foss, LaBelle Real Estate Group Inc.
Daniel Geving, Prairie Home Inspections
Steven Golombowski, Northstar Real Estate Associates
Sierra Hamilton, Midwest One Bank
Jade Kruschke, Compeer Financial
Nathan Mills, Metzen Realty and Associates Co.
Sarah Olson, Keller Williams Integrity Realty
Sokhany Sam, Journey Realty
Ryan Scheldrup, Easy Street Realty Minnesota
Jennifer Schlaak, Edina Realty, Inc.
Nancy Schwartz, Archer Realty Inc.
Colin Sinkfield, RC Fields
Stephanie Stallman, Compeer Financial
Chad Strand, Fish MLS Realty
John Williams Jr., Keller Williams Classic Realty
Matthew Wrobel, Home Inspector City & Private
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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