April is Fair Housing Month: SPAAR members declare fair housing for all
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SPAAR Cares: April 15 is the deadline for NAR members to register at no costs for TeleHealth
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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 Wednesday, April 15. 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 Wednesday, April 15. 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.
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Comprehensive FAQ released by NAR regarding unemployment benefits for independent contractors
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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.
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NAR offers additional member support during COVID-19
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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. NAR is also having an impact in the advocacy arena, working with Congress to ensure relief for the real estate industry during this unprecedented time.
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Check out NAR’s new ad campaign and look for the R
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NAR’s new ad campaign has received an overwhelmingly positive response to the social media messages in its consumer ads, which had led to the development of them as
social media covers
.
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Don't miss out on this year's REALTORS® Charitable Foundation 2020 Scholarship Program -- deadline is April 24
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"College is expensive! Every bit of money you can earn from your own merit and hard work is helpful," said Celina Barrett-Cashman, a forensic science major at Loyola University in Chicago and a 2019 recipient of a
REALTORS® Charitable Foundation scholarship.
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 sch
ool in fall 2020 are invited to apply.
The deadline to apply is Friday, April 24, 2020. Questions? Emai
l
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!
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SPAAR REALTOR® members earn GRI Designation
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SPAAR REALTOR® members Angela De Andriano, Richard Gordhamer and Elizabeth Peck were recently awarded the highly-acclaimed national Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation. In completing the required curriculum, they join other top REALTORS® in the residential real estate industry from across the nation who hold this designation.
Angela De Andriano is with JF Homes Realty in Lakeville, Richard Gordhamer is with Greater Midwest Realty in Blaine, and E
lizabeth Peck is with Lakes Country Realty in Lindstrom.
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 Angela, Richard and Elizabeth on your earning your GRI designation!
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REALTORS® Charitable Foundation now accepting grant applications
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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
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Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
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SPAARky says:
Be prepared for severe weather.
It is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota and Wisconsin from April 13-17, 2020, and there are easy steps you can take to be prepared.
For starters, have an emergency kit ready if you need it. Suggested items include a first aid kit, phone and charger, NOAA weather radio, water and non-perishable food, flashlight and batteries.
Additional supplies may include extra clothing and blankets, important records, cash, books and games. Remember pet food and baby food if applicable to your family.
We like hearing what tips SPAAR members have to share, too, such as:
Having lived through spring flooding more times than I’d like to admit, this is the time of year to be aware of areas that flood easily. It doesn’t take huge amounts of water to stall your vehicle or lose control when driving. Also, if possible, avoid areas where floodwaters go over the roadway as those roads may not be safe to drive on
.
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What is your #1 safety tip to share?
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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!
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Community Engagement Committee changes course in sync with social distancing
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SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee had scheduled a volunteer recognition event for April; however, the committee’s plans changed when in-person events, meetings and classes at SPAAR were cancelled through May 10, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The committee pivoted and requested approval from SPAAR’s Finance Committee to reallocate the $1,500 budgeted for the event to instead be used for an emergency grant to nonprofit Meals From The Heart. In addition, SPAAR's REALTORS® Charitable Foundation agreed to match the grant for a total donation of $3,000, which will provide more than 12,000 meals to area families in need.
Based in Stillwater, Meals From The Heart packages and distributes meal kits to local food shelves.
The organization has experienced unprecedented demand in recent weeks. If you're in a place to provide support to Meals from the Heart or another similar organization, this is the time to support those who provide in our communities.
SPAAR also learned that Meals From The Heart received a matching gift that will leverage the impact of this donation even more. Consider a donation to
Meals From The Heart by clicking here
or calling (651) 829-3232.
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SPAAR members support Blue Star Mothers Collection Drive
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Jim Zauner of Guardian Property, pictured, dropped off a donation for SPAAR’s 2020 Blue Star Mothers Collection Drive on Monday, April 6.
The sixth annual collection drive, coordinated by SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee, collected personal items, toiletries and snacks as part of the We Care packages sent to members of the military serving active duty. Monetary donations are welcome to help defray shipping costs.
SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee recognizes Title One, Counselor Realty, Apple Valley and White Bear Lake American Legion Posts for their contributions or for hosting a collection drive.
The Blue Star Mothers of America is a national nonprofit made up of mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or children who are veterans.
Contact Joe McKinley at (651) 772-6344 or
jmckinley@spaar.com
to learn more. The 2020 collection drive has ended, but monetary contributions are still welcome.
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Housing Market Statistics
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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:
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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.
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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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