Week of April 6, 2009
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There's no April Foolin' this time of year regarding the Twin Cities housing market. We're able to report several encouraging signs this week as the market seems to be "Def" to any signs of slowdown. For the week ending March 28, pending sales continue to reflect strong growth, increasing 28.2 percent over last year. Our oversupply continues to draw down, with new listings declining by 12.2 percent for the same time period comparison. The total number of houses for sale is 26,131, a decline of 16.2 percent from this time in 2008. Days on Market Until Sale continues its downward trend, dropping 9 percent over last year to 150 days. Percent of Original List Price Received at Sale is definitely not Bringin' on the Heartbreak as we're showing our first upward year-over-year move in (a rock of) ages, increasing by 0.6 percent this month. Our Supply-Demand Ratio fell to 5.57, which means there are 5.57 houses for sale for each buyer in April, down 23.5 percent from last year. With mortgage rates at historic lows and the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time home buyers, it's not surprising to see some arena rock level of hysteria in our local marketplace. We're certainly excited; thus the untucking of our dress shirt this week. It's been a long time since we've been able to pour some sugar on you. Click the logo below or click here for this week's full report. Visit Market Info for more research reports.
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SafeMLS® Tokens Needed for MLS Access
It's been a pretty rough couple of weeks for our front desk folks, and they could use a few more frowns turned upside down. With that mild plea for temperance, we now give you the official line for why we've put you (and us) through this process: SAFEMLS ensures that only authorized real estate professional members have access to the NorthstarMLS systems. Already in use by over half a million agents at many of the largest MLSs across the country, SAFEMLS protects sensitive, confidential consumer information and all assets of the MLS. |
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Member Appreciation Week: May 4–8 IMPORTANT: A unique Membership Appreciation Week registration form (click here) needs to be completed in order to attend the special classes available from May 4 to May 8. Unfortunately, we cannot support online registration for Membership Appreciation Week this year. It's gonna be great. Free classes. Free food. Registration is now open. Class seating is limited, so we have had to implement a one-class limit for these free classes. It turns out that "free" is kind of popular these days. On the registration form, you will be asked to select your first choice followed by two alternate choices. You will be notified in advance what class(es) you get into. CLASS DETAILS | REGISTRATION FORM (required!)
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Yo Pro Roll Call: A Short Survey
We have a survey for you that includes just four items, and we predict that it will take less than two minutes to complete. Your feedback is very important to the success of the Yo Pro young professionals network. |
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Next Broker Support Meeting – Friday, April 10
The meeting will be a follow-up to the March 4 Broker Summit and will focus on ways to implement Stefan Swanepoel's Top Ten Trends. Guest speaker: Mark Allen. Register with Linda Stoeckicht at lindas@mplsrealtor.com or 952.988.3157. |
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Working in short sales can be a big part of your business plan in the next year or two, but you'll want to be aware of the legal risks. REALTOR® Magazine's Senior Editor, Robert Freedman, breaks down the following:
READ THE ARTICLE | Also check out: Field Guide to Short Sales Source: National Association of REALTORS®, REALTOR® Magazine Online |
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Special Tax Break Available for New Car Purchases in 2009
Source: National Association of REALTORS®, The Washington Report; Internal Revenue Service |
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Next WCR Event: Wednesday, April 8
Tickets can be purchased online! Start at www.twincitieswcr.org and click the button that says "Buy This." This will take you to PayPal. Purchased tickets will be held at a "Will Call" table at the event. Cost is $35 for everyone. Tickets MUST be purchased in advance; tickets will not be sold at the door.
Source: Women's Council of REALTORS® |
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If you missed out on our Irish Event at Kieran's on March 12 you missed an excellent opportunity to network, eat great food and hear Claire Killen of Counselor Realty. Claire, originally from Ireland, gave an interesting and witty presentation on how an Irish immigrant may interpret our American listings and home descriptions. Claire also explained how real estate business in Northern Ireland is conducted. NAR Webinar on How to Increase Your Profits with Global Referrals Upcoming Local April International Events April 14 April 15 April 17 April 30 – May 3 |
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NAR's Green Designation
Green By Design Register now for the 4th annual statewide Green by Design conference and training aimed at providing housing developers, builders, contractors, architects, city planners, environmentalists, funders, and other professionals the tools needed to build energy efficient, healthy, and sustainable housing. Multiple tracks will be offered, including sessions by local and national experts that focus on various elements of the Green Communities criteria (a set of nationally recognized green affordable housing standards) and other related topics. Examples of successful green building projects, including both multifamily and single-family developments, new construction and rehabilitation, will be highlighted throughout the conference. Keynote Speaker Hunter Lovins Topics of interest include:
Source: Minnesota Green Communities
Sustainable Design & New Technology Conference
Program Agenda: Source: Real Estate Communications Group; REjournals.com  |
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Members Needed for Focus Groups for the Fair Housing Implementation Council
Local county and city entitlement entities conduct an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing every ten years. Participating jurisdictions include Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties and their major cities. Because housing markets don't respect jurisdictional boundaries, the governments have banded together as FHIC to address Fair Housing issues. Western Economic Services, an experienced research consultant, has been selected to complete the Analysis of Impediments. Other focus groups include REALTORS®, public policy staff and rental representatives. For good discussion, we'd like to limit participation to about 20 REALTORS® from across the metro area. Please contact Denise Beigbeder at denise.beigbeder@co.ramsey.mn.us or 651.266.8005 if you plan to attend or have comments you'd like to make for the record.
VIEW EMPLOYEE BROCHURE | VIEW EMPLOYER BROCHURE (both in PDF) First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and More
Another Great Resource Sources: NAR and NAHB
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Education and Professional Development
Designation Week: These courses are not included in the $99 CE Pass, but if you have the pass, call to register to receive a 10 percent discount. Accredited Buyer Representative core 2-day course, Effective Negotiating for RE (ABR Elective), April 15, currently $69. On Wednesday (April 8), the price increases to $99. Green Designation 2-day core course, April 16–17. Currently $249. On Thursday (April 9), the price increases to $299. Courses included in the CE Pass that have seating available: Agency & Fair Housing, April 20, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. (night class!), Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd Identifying and Avoiding Fraud, April 21, 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. (Hurry: only a few seats left!) Matrix, April 22, 9:00 a.m.–noon (PDC@RFC) St. Therese Catholic School, April 22, 8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. (St. Therese), Featured class! This course will prepare REALTORS® to discuss exceptional school options that encompass pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with their clients who are seeking nonpublic alternatives. Building a stronger foundation: St. Therese Catholic School, Holy Family Catholic High School and the City of Deephaven. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8:00 a.m. | VIEW FLYER (pdf) |
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Our Tools: Find Code of Ethics and other Fair Housing resources at realtor.org. Many of our popular Fair Housing classes have already filled up, but we do still have one available (click to register): Monday, April 20, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
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Learn from Barb Schwarz, the creator of Home StagingTM and The Accredited Staging Professional CourseTM, and her ASP Training Team. This course will be taught by ASP Course Trainer, Jeannie Berger. Day 1: You will focus on using Home Staging as a real estate marketing tool. The two-day training includes classroom instruction and an onsite Home Staging field trip. At the end of the day, you will receive your ASP Real Estate Agent designation and certification.
– click here or on the image below for more details –
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e-PRO® – Next Workshop is Monday, April 20 Attend the InternetCrusade® Technology Workshop featuring the e-PRO® Certification course, the only technology course offered and endorsed by NAR. You don't have to be a technology expert to attend this program. Get in tune with the wants and needs of today's Internet-empowered buyers and sellers. Start working smarter. Enroll at this FREE workshop and receive a $25 discount from the normal $359 fee and an 8-month enrollment (instead of 6 months) for this online course. Call 1.866.377.0627 (toll free) or click the link below to sign up today! e-PRO® Workshop at MAAR's Office: Monday, April 20, 2009, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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Spring Seminars with RealEstateHomePages.com
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News from NorthstarMLS: BookAShowing
If you missed the live webinars and would like to learn more, a 55-minute recorded BookAShowing webinar is now available for anytime viewing. Topics include scheduling and confirming appointments, adding clients, setting up view-only access for your clients, customizing feedback forms, managing your settings/notifications and running reports. | VIEW WEBINAR Also available are short how-to videos. Each video is no more than a few minutes long. | WATCH VIDEOS If all you want to do is learn how to schedule a showing appointment, there is a quick guide in PDF format. | VIEW PDF GUIDE For many offices, showing appointments are managed by the office staff. If you are unsure whether your office staff will manage your appointments or whether you need to manage your own, ask your office manager or assistant. If you need help with anything not addressed in the online materials, contact BookAShowing at info@bookashowing.com or 1.800.826.7155. Or contact the NorthstarMLS Help Desk at mlshelp@northstarmls.com or 651.251.5456. |
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Home Ownership Industry Training
Presenters Mortgage Products Presenting Partners Source: City of St. Paul |
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Using Local Data to Inform Community Development
CURA's Community GIS program has made use of a variety of widely available public data sources at the block level and below to help neighborhood organizations achieve their community development goals. This presentation will highlight several recent projects and explore data and resources available to local non-profits, many of which are under-utilized or unknown. RSVP required by April 15 to 612.625.2086 or curahf@umn.edu. CURA Housing Forums are free of charge and open to the public. To sign up for CURA Housing Forum notices, go to www.cura.umn.edu or email your request to curahf@umn.edu. |
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Free Webinars: Create and Send Direct Mail from Your Computer
Free webinars have been designed to give businesses some smart and imaginative solutions for planning a Direct Mail advertising campaign. The webinars can be found on www.usps.com/directmailonline and anyone can sign up for free. Webinar Topics Customizing Your Mail Pieces – Wednesday, April 15, 2009, Noon–1:00 p.m. Mail Piece Design – Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Noon–1:00 p.m. Address List – Wednesday, May 13, 2009, Noon–1:00 p.m. The webinars will teach you how to create postcards, purchase mailing lists, and design entire mailing campaigns on your computer from start to finish, while providing training and ideas from industry experts. Source: U.S. Postal Service |
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Distressed Real Estate Summit, April 17 – Credits Approved Date: Friday, April 17, 2009 Topics include:
Source: Real Estate Communications Group; Minnesota Real Estate Journal |
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The 2009 Minneapolis & St. Paul Home Tour will feature 60 homes—39 in Minneapolis and 21 in Saint Paul. Homes on the free, self-guided tour will be open Saturday, April 25, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 26, 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. regardless of weather conditions. The Tour is coordinated by the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program in conjunction with the City of Saint Paul Planning and Economic Development department and is supported by other public, corporate and nonprofit sponsors. Residents open their doors to show creative and practical ideas for home additions, kitchens, bathrooms and more. Talk directly with homeowners and find out what it's like. At many homes, their contractors, architects, and other trades people will also be on hand to answer questions. Start at www.MSPHomeTour.com or pick up a printed guide at libraries in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and suburban Hennepin and Ramsey counties.
Source: Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program |
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The IRS is reminding taxpayers of a temporary tax incentive that will be available to them for the purchase of a new car, light truck, motor home or motorcycle during 2009. The deduction is available for the cost of all state and local sales and excise taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price. The amount of the deduction is phased out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is between $125,000 and $135,000 for individual filers and between $250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers. The vehicle must be purchased after February 16, 2009, and before January 1, 2010, to qualify for the deduction. The special deduction is available regardless of whether a taxpayer itemizes deductions on their return. The deduction may not be taken on 2008 tax returns. | 
The Green Designation program includes 18 hours of coursework, and REALTORS® who earn the designation are prepared to help consumers and clients in their search for environmentally friendly properties and to incorporate green principles into their own practice. MAAR will be offering the Green Designation Course and Green Residential Elective on the following dates:
L. Hunter Lovins is president and founder of Natural Capitalism Solutions, a nonprofit organization in Colorado. An internationally recognized leader in helping companies and communities profit from more sustainable practices, Lovins has co-authored 12 books. Her areas of expertise include globalization, land management, energy, water, and green and community economic development. She is also a founding Professor of Sustainable Business at Presidio School of Management and was named Time Magazine's 2000 Hero for the Planet.
Minneapolis Works to Rebuild Neighborhoods Hit by Foreclosure
BookAShowing: Want to Learn More?
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