First Quarter MLS Invoices Due Dec. 31
Have You Completed the Quadrennial Period Code of Ethics Training?
SPAAR to Host Collection Drive for Blue Star Mothers of America
MN DNR Completes Mississippi River Rulemaking: Realtors Contribute to Better Final Rule
Bring in the SPAAR Squad for your Next Office Meeting
Twin Cities Housing Market Statistics
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SPAAR offices will be closed on the following days/times during the holidays:
- December 30-office closed at noon in observance of New Years Eve
- January 2-office closed in observance of New Years Day
First Quarter MLS Invoices Due December 31
First Quarter MLS billing was sent by email on December 7 from [email protected]. If you do not see the notice in your Inbox, please check your SPAM and Junk folders so you do not miss out on this important information. As a reminder, payment must be received on or before December 31 to avoid suspension of MLS access. If not paid on or before December 31, you will incur a $25 reinstatement fee. To access your portal account, please click here. If you have questions regarding your first quarter MLS fees, please do not hesitate to contact the association at 651-776-6000.
Have You Completed the Quadrennial Period Code of Ethics Training?
The mandated four-year cycle to meet the Code of Ethics Training for The National Association of REALTORS® membership requirement ends December 31, 2016. If you do not have the NAR Code of Ethics completed by December 31, 2016 your membership will be suspended per the NAR bylaws. If your name is not on the LIST (Updated 12/23/16) then you need to complete the NAR Code of Ethics. If you have taken an approved NAR Code of Ethics training class please be sure to submit proof of completion to SPAAR at [email protected].
CLICK HERE to view options for enrolling in an NAR approved Code of Ethics class. To check if you have completed the Code of Ethics training in this quadrennial period, CLICK HERE or call SPAAR at 651-776-6000.
SPAAR to Host Collection Drive for Blue Star Mothers of America
In late November, SPAARs membersthrough your Community Engagement Committeeapproved an emergency grant of $2,000 to Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. This grant was used to ship We Care packages to active duty troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Egypt. Facing increasing shipping costs, Blue Star Mothers was challenged to raise sufficient funds. Without your help, these packages would not have arrived in time for Christmas. Thank you!
You can still help: Through February 3, SPAAR is hosting a collection drive for Blue Star Mothers of America. You can contribute items for We Care Packages that will be sent to members of the Armed Forces. Collection boxes are located at SPAARs offices in Saint Paul, Eagan and Coon Rapids. HERE is a wish list for We Care packages.
Sponsor a We Care collection box in your office. For information, or to receive posters or boxes, please contact Joe McKinley at SPAAR: [email protected] or 651-772-6344.
Challenge: SPAARs Community Engagement Committee invites you to email a photo of your offices We Care collection box to [email protected]. Photos received by February 1 will be entered in a drawing for bagels for your office.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has published its final rule in todays MN State Register marking the end of a 5 year effort to complete the 40 year-old executive order, enabling legislation, and final rule enactment. The new Mississippi River Critical Corridor Area (MRCCA) rule protects a 72 mile stretch of the Mississippi from Dayton, MN to Hastings, MN.
REALTORS® via SPAARs Government Affairs committee have been engaged on official aspects of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Rulemaking effort throughout the past five years. Early efforts to enact a rule were hamstrung by issues involving lack of a diversified public engagement process, enabling legislation that was overly proscriptive, and put on hiatus for 2 years during the period which the MN Senate switched from 40 years of DFL control to Republican Control. After the MN DFL wrestled control of the MN Senate back from the MNGOP the enabling legislation was repassed but it contained language encouraging the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to be more inclusive in soliciting and receiving public input. The enabling legislation also explicitly stated that in developing the rules current Commercial, Industrial, and Residential land uses should be considered and respected.
The explicit language in the enabling legislation really set the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on a more inclusive path. The final rule is that much stronger today because of the involvement of all of those concerned, especially REALTORS®, said Eric J. Myers, Government Affairs Director for SPAAR.
MORE INFORMATION ON MRCCA
- How Much Home Can You Really Afford. Monday, Jan. 9, 1pm-4pm. REGISTRATION
- Metro YPN Kickoff and Happy Hour. Thursday, Jan. 12, 5pm-6pm, at the Ox Cart Ale House. REGISTRATION
- SPAAR Winter Social. Thursday, Jan. 12, 6pm-9pm, at A'BULAE. REGISTRATION
- Proper Pricing and Secrets of the CMA. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 9am-12pm. REGISTRATION
Bring in the SPAAR Squad for your Next Office Meeting
Looking for useful content for upcoming office meetings? SPAAR Squad is here to help! Our staff members are available to attend your meeting and speak about a variety of relevant topics. We also provide onsite training (some with free CE) for groups of 25 or more.
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's doing.
Local Market Updates | Weekly Market Activity Report | Housing Supply Overview | Monthly Market Indicators
SPAAR would like to welcome all our new members! Thank you joining, and we look forward to helping you be successful in your business.
| Member Name | Company Name |
| Johnson, MaryJo | Northern State Realty LLC |
| Montgomery, Timothy | Empire Realty LLC |
| Wagner, Aaron | Edina Realty, Inc. |