November 15, 2021
Spotlight on SPAAR: Shining a light on SPAAR Hero
(and #thanksgivingback)
Sharing again a great video that features the importance of giving back through Jason Koenig's story, one of many members within SPAAR who believe in giving back and helping serve in the community.

Tune in to learn how and why one agent and his team give back and how all members can partake in #thanksgivingback this November.

SPAAR's weekly videos highlight timely news, events, member features and key information to help benefit members in their business. These videos complement content also shared in SPAAR's newsletters, on its website and on social media.
In this issue of SPAAR's eNews:
  • Share your voice! SPAAR's member survey is used for planning
  • Help build dressers this Friday, November 19 with SPAAR
  • SPAAR celebrates #ThanksGivingBack all November
  • Realtor® awards honor those who make a difference
  • Act now for the 2022 Membership Renewal deadline on Nov 30
  • NAR resources focus on competition in real estate
  • Statement on rent control from SPAAR
  • Statement on rent control from the Sensible Housing Ballot Committee
  • Seeking member testimonials about rent control
  • Housing Market Statistics
  • Join SPAAR's Facebook group for members only
  • Welcome, new members!
Share your voice! SPAAR's member survey is used for planning
Are you interested in SPAAR offering on-demand CE classes you can take anytime? Do you want input into what programs SPAAR offers or where SPAAR puts its energy? If so, SPAAR wants to hear from you!

Every two years SPAAR invites participation in its Member Communications Survey, an opportunity for members to share their voices, thoughts and ideas in a number of areas. Because this information also helps to take the pulse on the programs and services offered at SPAAR, as well as provide insight to be sure members' needs are met, SPAAR will have a drawing of limited monetary incentives for participation that include $50 and $100 gift cards for those who are interested. Winners will be announced the week of November 22!
 
Your input as a SPAAR member is welcome and wanted as SPAAR continues its commitment to Better Agents and Better Communities. Take the survey here now.
Help build dressers this Friday, November 19 with SPAAR
Did you know that 67% of Realtors® volunteer on a monthly basis and 82% of Realtors® make donations to the communities in which they live and work, according to the National Association of REALTORS® in 2018. Don't miss this fun opportunity to volunteer with other SPAAR members for this year's Dresser Build.

The 2021 Dresser Build is Friday, November 19 from 1 to 4pm at Bridging, Inc. in Roseville. Register here to participate in the Dresser Build. Can’t make it this year? Bridging urgently needs blankets to meet client needs. Questions? Contact Joe McKinley.

Bridging was also the 2021 grant recipient of SPAAR's REALTORS® Charitable Foundation.
SPAAR celebrates #ThanksGivingBack all November
November is #ThanksGivingBack month at SPAAR! There is a plethora of opportunities in which to participate every day all month long. Find out what items interest you and ways you or your office may want to get involved. Being able to shine a light on all the ways SPAAR members give back is exciting!

Learn about the Week 3 opportunities here.


Realtor® awards honor those who make a difference
Nomination submissions are now being sought for SPAAR awards that will be announced in January. Be sure to nominate someone you feel is deserving by Monday, November 22.
 
SPAAR is seeking nominations for the following awards (click on the awards below to read the criteria and apply):
 


 
The SPAAR awards will be presented to the recipients during SPAAR's Winter Social in January 2022.
Act now for the 2022 Membership Renewal deadline on Nov 30
SPAAR 2022 Membership Renewal Notices were sent by email in August from billing@spaar.com. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder if you do not see your renewal notice in your inbox so you do not miss any important information. 
 
If payment is not received on or before November 30, a $50 late payment fee will be added to the amount due. Click here to view important 2022 dues billing information. 
 
 
Contact SPAAR at (651) 776-6000 if you have questions regarding your membership renewal.
NAR resources focus on competition in real estate
NAR has put together resources on competition in real estate that explains to clients the competitive nature of the real estate market and the critical role Realtors® and local broker marketplaces (MLSs) play in advancing consumers' interests. Learn more here.
Statement on rent control from SPAAR
As first shared last week, after a hard-fought campaign, that included polling, digital advertisements, lawn signs, door knocking, mailers and more, the Saint Paul Area Association of Realtors® (SPAAR) and its coalition partners through the Sensible Housing Ballot Committee were unable to persuade enough Saint Paul voters of the unintended consequences of the proposed rent control policy.

Saint Paul voters approved the rent control policy with 53% of the vote. Early indicators showed the support for rent control would be considerably higher, so although rent control passed, there is optimism that SPAAR’s efforts helped raise awareness and will be an asset as this conversation continues.

Stakeholders, including the mayor and members of the Saint Paul City Council, are eager to amend this policy. SPAAR looks forward to working with the City of Saint Paul on shaping the ordinance to limit impacts on property rights and preserving housing opportunities.
Statement on rent control from the Sensible Housing Ballot Committee
The Sensible Housing Ballot Committee is deeply disappointed in the results in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Going forward, the historic coalition of jobs and housing providers will engage with a new Minneapolis City Council on the policy discussion around rent control. As St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said, “we need to fix the St. Paul rent control ordinance that will limit the development of new affordable housing in a region that badly needs it. Rent control will be a major discouragement to new housing investment in our core cities.”
Seeking member testimonials about rent control
Now that rent control has passed in the City of Saint Paul, the next step for SPAAR is to engage stakeholders, including the City of Saint Paul, on ways to mitigate its negative impacts. To best advocate for this, SPAAR needs anecdotes from members all about the fallout from this policy and the negative impact it is having on residents and housing providers in Saint Paul.

Please reach out to Government Affairs Directors Becky Wegscheid at bwegscheid@spaar.com or Simon Opatz at sopatz@spaar.com with your testimonials.
Housing Market Statistics
Get up-to-date Twin Cities 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:
Connect with SPAAR
Check out the SPAAR Facebook page created specifically for members here.
Welcome, new members!
Introducing SPAAR's newest members. Welcome, all! We're glad you're here.