Spotlight on SPAAR: SPAAR Connect is this Thursday, Oct. 14! |
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SPAAR members are encouraged to share their time and talent by serving on a SPAAR Committee. This Thursday SPAAR members can meet committee representatives to find out what each committee has to offer. Come to learn, stay for a free lunch!
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.
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In this issue of SPAAR's eNews:
- SPAAR offices closed on Tuesday, October 12
- Join in the first-ever SPAAR Connect and learn ways you'll benefit in your business
- Sensible Housing Ballot Committee Town Hall
- Rent control in Saint Paul: what it means for you
- Lawn signs available: Vote "NO" on ballot question #1
- Member survey: affordable housing deemed a top priority
- Housing Affordability Task Force focuses on the burden of ever-rising housing costs
- Awards! Awards! Awards! Annual award nominations now open!
- Be vigilant to protect yourself
- 2022 Membership Renewal Due November 30
- Temporary downtime needed for NorthstarMLS updates to Roster
- Wanted: Member Services Coordinator at SPAAR
- NorthstarMLS delays upgrade to its user sign-on and security
- Housing Market Statistics
- Join SPAAR's Facebook group for members only
- Welcome, new members!
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SPAAR offices closed on Tuesday, October 12 |
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SPAAR offices in Saint Paul and Coon Rapids will be closed on Tuesday, October 12, for a staff training.
The offices will be open the rest of the week during regular business hours.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
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Join in the first-ever SPAAR Connect and learn ways you'll benefit in your business |
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Interested in expanding your personal and professional development plans for 2022?
Take part in SPAAR’s first-ever SPAAR Connect, a committee fair to discover new ways to be active in your business and community through committee involvement. SPAAR is member-driven and welcomes all members to share their voice!
Attend SPAAR Connect on Thursday, October 14, from 11am to 1pm at SPAAR (325 Roselawn Ave E) for networking and lunch, and learn what each of the seven SPAAR committees has to offer. The SPAAR committees include Affiliates; Communications; Community Engagement; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Government Affairs; Metro Young Professionals Network; and Professionalism.
In addition, SPAAR has invited representatives from specialty real estate organizations including NAREB, NAHREP, Real Estate Alliance and AREAA to participate and share what they're about.
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Sensible Housing Ballot Committee Town Hall |
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Take this opportunity to learn more about the rent control questions on the November ballot in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Tune in on Thursday, October 21, at 10am for the (virtual) Realtor® Rent Control Town Hall to learn more about the impacts these policies could have on the industry if passed by voters on November 2.
Together, with MN Multi Housing Association (MHA), the Sensible Housing Ballot Committee will explain both ballot questions (Question 1 on the ballot in St. Paul and Question 3 in Minneapolis), talk about the campaign and the historic coalition to encourage people to Vote No.
What: Virtual Town Hall on rent control for Realtor® members
When: Thursday, October 21, at 10am
Why: Housing affordability is a problem, but rent control is the wrong solution. Vote No on November 2.
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Rent control in Saint Paul: what it means for you |
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SPAAR wants to hear from you! How would a three percent rent control cap in Saint Paul impact you, your business or your residents?
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Lawn signs available: Vote "NO" on ballot question #1 |
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Lawn signs are available to SPAAR members sharing the message: Vote "No" on Ballot Question #1, in accordance with the rent control opposition.
Lawn signs available for pick up at the SPAAR office (325 Roselawn Ave E) during business hours. Contact SPAAR Government Affairs Director Becky Wegsheid at (651) 772-6350 to request a lawn sign.
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Member survey: affordable housing deemed a top priority |
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SPAAR’s 2019-member survey asked respondents to identify the issues that should be a top priority to SPAAR in the year 2020. Nearly half of the survey respondents, at 45.94%, identified affordable housing as the number one priority for SPAAR to address.
“I see affordable housing continuing to be an issue and becoming a greater issue in future years. I would like to see SPAAR work on being a part of solutions to this,” said one SPAAR member respondent. Commented another, “We need to educate the public officials on how regulations inverse the cost of homes and raise rents.”
Property taxes (30.2%); Public education (11.17%); Density and zoning (5.58%); Rental housing (3.55%); and Transportation (1.27%) were the other top priority areas as identified through the 2019 member survey.
SPAAR’s 2021 member survey will take place starting in November. Be sure to share your voice as it helps direct SPAAR’s areas of focus and strategic plans.
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Housing Affordability Task Force focuses on the burden of ever-rising housing costs |
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SPAAR formed a Housing Affordability Task Force this year to focus on the burden of ever-rising housing costs. The Task Force feels this is an urgent issue that is taking a toll on individuals and families alike. Homelessness is on the rise, rents are increasingly unaffordable and the cost of entry into homeownership is too high. Read the Housing Affordability Task Force Strategies Statement here to learn more.
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Awards! Awards! Awards! Annual award nominations now open! |
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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 15.
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.
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Be vigilant to protect yourself |
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A SPAAR member recently shared an experience in which a man contacted the member via phone under the guise of a police officer. The caller knew personal information and made threats during the initial call and subsequent calls back that went to voice mail and text.
The SPAAR member contacted the non-emergency police number, which is following up with the caller who was known to the police department.
This is being shared as a reminder that if any member receives a call that is concerning such as an officer impersonating another officer or one’s safety being jeopardized, it is suggested to let your broker know and contact the police if necessary. Realtors® are in a unique position because the general public has easy access to names, contact information and photos that are easily visible due to the nature of the real estate business.
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2022 Membership Renewal Due November 30 |
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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.
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Temporary downtime needed for NorthstarMLS updates to Roster |
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The NorthstarMLS IT team is releasing the new version of Roster that members recently saw demoed on Tuesday, October 12.
To do the update, the IT team needs to make Roster unavailable on October 12 from 7-10pm. There are also some new components that affect the Add/Edit system. Therefore, Add/Edit will be unavailable for the two hours between 10pm to 12am. Within Add/Edit, the Teams and LoginAs functions will be unavailable starting at 7pm. And finally, the RETS service will be unavailable from 7pm to 12am. This means agents will be able to use Add/Edit from 7-10pm, but any new listings/changes made during that time will not show on Matrix or other sites until after midnight when the RETS service is turned back on.
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Wanted: Member Services Coordinator at SPAAR |
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SPAAR is seeking to hire a Member Services Coordinator to join its Member Services Team. This position will provide extraordinary customer service and maintain a member-friendly environment as a SPAAR staff member. While prior experience in real estate is a plus, although not required, the individual cannot possess an active real estate license. Click here to see the full job description.
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Housing Market Statistics |
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Get up-to-date Twin Cities housing market information here. |
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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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Check out the SPAAR Facebook page created specifically for members here.
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