April 27, 2020
Mark your calendar's for SPAAR's drive-thru Shred-It event on May 8
SPAAR's Shred-It 2020 is still on! SPAAR is organizing this year's event as a drive-thru drop off to ensure everyone's health and safety. Bring your loose papers and shred-worthy documents to SPAAR on Friday, May 8, between 11am and 2pm (352 Roselawn Avenue East location). Please follow the drive-thru signs and remain in your vehicle until it's your turn for assistance.

Strict social distancing must be observed or the event will end.  Bag lunches will be provided for participants following the drop off.
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 .

See the opportunity below in Community Engagement to take part in the Testing the Divide discussion on April 30 about discriminatory practices in real estate.
Video provides information about the SBA Cares Act, PPP and EIDL
Click this link to tune in to the 47-minute presentation by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) as information is shared about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Business Loans and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) . You’ll also hear from Realtors® of varying business structures and sizes who have successfully obtained one of these options. In addition, learn how to navigate the Small Business Administration website, which forms to have on-hand when applying, and tips for finding a lender in your area. Act today! Funding is limited.
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 .
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. For more information, including the TeleHealth application,   click here.
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 is funded by the federal government and being implemented voluntarily by each state including Minnesota.

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 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, call NAR's Member Support Team hotline at  (800) 874-6500 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 .
May 15 is the deadline for REALTORS® Charitable Foundation grant applications
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.
SPAAR Realtor® member Sarah Rosen earns GRI Designation
SPAAR Realtor® Sarah Rosen with Realty Group in Apple Valley was recently awarded the highly-acclaimed national Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation. In completing the required curriculum, Sarah joins other top Realtors® in the residential real estate industry from across the nation who hold this designation.

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, Sarah, on this honor!
Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
SPAARky says:

Have multiple ways to be informed.

Now that spring is upon us so, too, is more likelihood of storms that may trigger bad weather warnings. It's the perfect time to determine what way, or ways, you will receive warnings and make sure those in your circle do the same. Some ideas include the Internet; local TV and radio news; NOAA weather radio; wireless emergency alerts and weather apps; outdoor sirens; and last, but not least, from family, friends, colleagues and neighbors.


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

This time of year I always try to be mindful of bringing up my garbage and recycling bins as soon as they're picked up as inevitably they blow up with strong winds that seem more prevalent this time of share. Sharing only to be helpful to others!
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.
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:

ShowingTime highlights real estate showings and COVID-19 impact
ShowingTime has provided this graph to highlight the impact of COVID-19 on real estate showings in North America , including in both the U.S. and Canada, through March.

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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