eNews
In this Issue   February 13, 2017

SPAAR Modified Office Hours

New video available: Agency Relationships in Real Estate

Thank you for your generosity - Blue Star Mothers

SPAAR Recieved NAR SmartGrowth Grant to host WalkShop

ShowingTime Tip: Radon Test Appointments

2017 Fair Housing Month Poster Contest: Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Upcoming Education & Events

Bring in the SPAAR Squad for your Next Office Meeting

Twin Cities Housing Market Statistics

Welcome, New Members!

Connect with us!
 
 
 
 

 

 


 

Modified Office Hours

SPAAR will have modified office hours on the following days:

  • Tuesday, February 14: SPAAR's St. Paul/Maplewood office will be closed from 9am-11:30am for a staff meeting. The Eagan and Coon Rapids locations will be closed from 9am-12pm.
  • Monday, February 20: All SPAAR offices will be closed in observance of Presidents' Day.
 
  New video available: Agency Relationships in Real Estate

The SPAAR Professionalism Committee is pleased to introduce its newest video, Understanding Agency Relationships in Real Estate. It's a great way to start the agency conversation with your clients. Download the video to your website or social media today! Also, be sure to check out Material Facts Disclosure.
 
  Thank you for your generosity!

Thank you for your support of SPAAR's Blue Star Mothers of America collection drive! The items you donated will be included in We Care packages that are sent to service members on active duty. This collection drive was coordinated by SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee, and is just one example of how SPAAR’s members are actively involved in their communities everyday. To get involved, or for more information, please contact Joe McKinley at SPAAR: jmckinley@spaar.com or 651-772-6344.

Pictured at right, Members of SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee (l to r): Patty Zuzek, Kelly Arvidson, Bill Tschohl, Amy Peterson, Dustin Speed, Patrick Ruble and Patti Jo Fitzpatrick.
 
 

What’s a WalkShop?

SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee received an NAR SmartGrowth Grant to host a WalkShop. Walkable Communities are popular with homebuyers because they promote connection to the community and encourage a healthy lifestyle. A WalkShop is a workshop where you can learn about Walkable Communities and then tour a neighborhood (on foot, of course!) to assess how it rates.

SPAAR will be hosting a WalkShop in Saint Paul’s North End community on Wednesday, April 19. The focus of the WalkShop, which will be led by a consultant from BlueZones, is safer pedestrian crossings. SPAAR has partnered with the City of Saint Paul, Police Department and Public Works Department on this project.

 
 

ShowingTime Tip: Radon Test Appointments

If you receive notification of a radon inspection scheduled through ShowingTime for a home where you are the List Agent, be sure to check any included notes. There are often important instructions that you need to pass on to your seller, such as:

  • All windows must be closed for a specified time (for example 12 hours) before they place the testing unit and for the duration of the test
  • The testing device cannot be relocated
  • Limited exterior door use
  • Unplug air exchangers

If you do not notify the seller of the instructions and they are not followed, it can cause test failure, and delays in the inspection contingency time frame that could jeopardize the sale.

Also note that sometimes multiple appointments are scheduled to allow for drop-off and pick-up of testing equipment. When in doubt (or any questions), take a moment to call the inspection company.

 
 

2017 Fair Housing Month Poster Contest: Won't You Be My Neighbor?

SPAAR’s Fair Housing Month Poster Contest is back! The 2017 theme is “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” The contest is open to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Prizes will be awarded to winning students and to their classrooms. Posters are due at SPAAR by Friday, April 14. Please contact SPAAR for more information.

Please help to share this information with teachers or schools: REALTOR® members are available to visit classrooms to talk about the Fair Housing.

 
 

Upcoming Education & Events

  • 2016/17 Required Module - Residential Contracts. Thursday, Feb. 16, 8:15am-12:15pm. REGISTRATION
  • Housing Day at the Capitol. Thursday, Feb. 23, 11am-4pm. REGISTRATION
  • Business and Communication Technology. Monday, March 13, 9am-12pm. REGISTRATION
  • The Role of Diversity Marketing in Your Real Estate Practice. Monday, March 13, 1pm-4pm. REGISTRATION
  • RPR Basics/Getting Started with RPR. Wednesday, March 22, 10am-12pm or 1pm-3pm
  • 2016/17 Required Module - Residential Contracts. Thursday, March 23, 8:15am-12:15pm. REGISTRATION
  • Coon Rapids REALTORS® Forum, Thursday, March 30, 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.

SPAAR SQUAD TOPIC LIST | SPAAR SQUAD REQUEST FORM

 
 

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's doing.

Local Market Updates | Weekly Market Activity Report | Housing Supply Overview | Monthly Market Indicators

 
 

Welcome, New Members!

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
Beseke, Brandon A Prudential
Bruce, Christian Hans Hagen Homes, Inc.
Coughlin, Colleen Invitation Homes
Darkenwald, Paul Coldwell Banker Burnet
Day, Robert HomeTeam Inspection Service
Frank, Sarah Invitation Homes
Gonzalez, Colleen New City Real Estate, Incorpor
Graves, David Total Freedom Realty, Inc
Greig, Angela Ashworth Real Estate
Heggerston, Anthony Real Estate Masters, Ltd.
Her, Kao Creative Results
Imholte, Dan Latitude Realty, LLC
Johnson, Eric Counselor Realty, Inc.
Kaatz, Candee Stevens Realty
Landis, Alethia Vibrant Realty
Larson, Brian D 411 Realty, Inc.
Laurich, Britni Edina Realty, Inc.
Lehnert, Amelia Everest Home Inspectors, LLC
Miller, Dane RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Mortensen, Mark Real Estate Masters, Ltd
Nguyen, Danny Right Home Inspections
Peak, Julie Axis Realty
Rostad, Amy Coldwell Banker Burnet
Sampson, Jennifer Coldwell Banker Burnet
Slavik, Maria Keystone Real Estate Group
Strecker, Lorrie Nations Title Agency of MN
Swanstrom, Katen Keller Williams Preferred Rlty
Tiedeman, William Coldwell Banker Burnet
Van Horn, Luke Wiebusch Realty
Xiong, Bao Creative Results
Yang, Kao Creative Results