Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS enotes

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News and Updates

Weekly Market Activity Report – Week of November 23, 2009

Dues eBilling – DUES Due on Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Office Closed Thursday and Friday, November 26–27 (Gobble, Gobble)

Monthly Skinny Video for November 2009

NAR News Release – Sales are Up, Inventory is Down (Sound Familiar?)

The REALTOR® – Winter 2009 Issue Now Available Online

Minnesota Chapter Named 2009 Outstanding Chapter

Latest Issue of NAR Research's Real Estate Insights

Survey

2009 MAAR Membership Survey (Three Cash Prizes Available)

Departments

Public Affairs – Volunteer Openings in Minnetonka

Education & Professional Development – Green Designation, SFR, RSA Lunch n' Learn

Yo Pro – MAAR Wins NAR's YPN of the Year

News from NorthstarMLS – WEBForms Now Includes Lines for Free-Form Text Fields

Events

December 3 – Let MAAR Come to You, Shakopee! (Two Free CE Classes from MAAR)

December 4 – Distressed Real Estate Summit – Part II

December 7 – REALTORS® Give Back Opportunity | Project Homeless Connect

December 9 – Changing the Face of Housing

December 11 – Broker Support Series: Defining Your Direction for 2010

December 11 – Yo Pro Presents Toys for Tots

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The Skinny

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News and Updates

Home sales in the Twin Cities region have dropped significantly in recent weeks as the tax credit's extension temporarily reduces urgency and autumn's typical slowdown sets in. For the week ending October 14 there were 603 signed purchase agreements, down 7.1 percent from the same week last year. That's the first year-over-year decline since last October. Previous weeks leading up to the tax credit extension were showing 40 percent increases or higher.

The slowdown in sales has been expected. Said Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of REALTORS®, "Many buyers have been rushing to beat the deadline for the first-time buyer tax credit that was scheduled to expire at the end of this month. A measurable decline should be anticipated." Our local market isn't always in line with the national message, but we have to agree on this one.

New listings continue to underperform 2008 figures, which is keeping inventory low. There were 1,208 housing units added for the week ending November 14. Total active inventory for the current week is down more than 20 percent from last year.

VIEW FULL REPORT | VIEW MORE RESEARCH REPORTS

Dues statements have been emailed to the email address on record. Many of you have paid, and we thank you for your prompt attention. Those that haven't paid their dues yet were sent a second notification last week. In order to avoid suspension, we encourage you to pay at this time.

Do we have your correct email address? You can easily find out:

1) Visit mplsrealtor.com
2) Click the "My Account" tab (at the top)
3) Log in and select "Review or Change Member Personal Information" to check and update your email on the spot.

CLICK HERE to view all information on the 2010 dues renewal, including policy on terminations and reinstatement fees, Foundation contributions, RPAC contributions and Bylaws.

We sincerely appreciate your membership!

Kramer Turkey The MAAR office will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26–27.

Gobble, gobble, and be safe out there on the roads.

Word on the street is that we might see some precipitation mix.

The new Monthly Skinny video is online and ready for you to share with whoever you think should see it. We make these videos so members can stay up to date on the local housing market and so they can provide clients with the same info in an interesting manner.

Let us know what you think of the videos. Feel free to email G. Sax at gregs@mplsrealtor.com and he'll make sure the ideas get to where they need to go.

Driven by the first-time buyer tax credit, existing-home sales showed another big gain in October with a strong uptrend established over the past seven months, while inventories continue to decline, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Hmm. That story sounds remarkably familiar.

Source: National Association of REALTORS®

The latest issue of The REALTOR® is now available.

Will this be the last issue of The REALTOR® as a printed magazine? If you want to have a say, fill out the 2009 MAAR Membership Survey. Did you know that most of the material in the printed magazine can be found in enotes and on our website up to three months ahead of the printed info? How's that for leading the witness?

If you're all teched up and you no longer need a print copy in the mail, send a message to notice@mplsrealtor.com that says "no print magazine" in the subject line.

Terri Jensen The Minnesota RLI Chapter was named the 2009 Outstanding Chapter for its creative programs, commitment to member growth and active leadership.

Twenty-five percent of its current members have earned the ALC designation, and another 20 percent are actively working on earning the designation.

Terri Jensen, Minnesota RLI Chapter President, has conducted a number of "Reverse Marketing Sessions" for the chapter, and they are working on the development of a new website and quarterly newsletters.

Congratulations to the Minnesota RLI Chapter.

Source: REALTORS® Land Institute

November 2009 Issue of Real Estate Insights

Real Estate Insights (REI) is produced by NAR Research and is full of timely real estate market research information. The NAR economic summary starts on page 4, and page 10 begins a report on NAR's home buyer research.

Real Estate Insights: Web version | PDF version

Source: National Association of REALTORS®

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY NOW

It's been 3 years since we've surveyed members to see where you're at with us, where you want us to focus, and what you've been up to. Please take a few minutes to fill out the 2009 MAAR Membership Survey to help direct us and, as a bonus, to help yourself to one of three cash prizes ($100, $50, $50). Please fill out the survey by January 8 to be eligible for the prizes.

Your opinions and privacy are important to us. All individual responses and emails will be kept confidential. We will not sell, share or lease this information with third parties. We didn’t in 2006, we won’t in 2009.

NOTE: IF YOU COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE, PLEASE DISREGARD THE PRINTED SURVEY THAT WILL ARRIVE WITH THE WINTER 2009 ISSUE OF THE REALTOR®, MAAR'S PRINTED QUARTERLY MAGAZINE.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY NOW

Departments

Minnetonka Leadership Opportunities
If you're looking for a way to become more involved in the city of Minnetonka, consider applying to serve on a board or commission. In January 2010, openings will be available on the community commission, park board and the police advisory committee.

Applications are due Friday, December 18, with interviews taking place in January 2010. Accepted applications are kept on file for one year to fill any unexpected vacancies, with interviews taking place as necessary.

Source: City of Minnetonka

To earn the designation, you will need to attend the 2-day Green Core Course and a 1-day elective. Choose from the Green Residential Elective or the Green Commercial Elective (offered Spring 2010).

December 7 – 8, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Green Core Course, 12 CE
Cost: Early Bird Discount: $249, valid through December 1. Regular Price is $299
If you have a 2009 $99 Unlimited CE Pass, call to register and receive an additional 10% discount!
VIEW FLYER

December 15, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Green Residential Elective Course, 6 CE
Cost: Early Bird Discount: $69, valid through December 8. Regular Price is $99
If you have a 2009 $99 Unlimited CE Pass, call to register and receive an additional 10% discount!
VIEW FLYER

Attend the class "Foreclosure Opportunities" on Friday, December 18,
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m at the Westin Edina Galleria. Cost $69 for 6 CE
Listen to three 1-hour free prerecorded webinars available at www.realtorSFR.org
Download, complete and submit the application form available at www.realtorSFR.org
Be a member in good standing of the National Association of REALTORS®

REALTOR® Senior Advisor (RSA)
Lunch & Learn for those interested in elder care housing issues

December 7, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tradition Independent and Assisted Living
8500 Tessman Farm Rd N, Brooklyn Park
There will be a tour after lunch.

The speaker is Kathleen McGonagle, who will talk about hoarding.

Hoarding is becoming a hot topic; there's even a television show on A&E that addresses the condition.

Learn what to expect when working with a senior afflicted with hoarding and where you can get help.

Please RSVP by calling Delores at 952.988.3153. Lunch will not be provided; please bring your own.

Yo Pro was formed in August of 2007. The group is chaired by Jennifer Cutter and provides a leading voice for young real estate professionals via networking, education and commitment to our community. The next Yo Pro networking event is Toys for Tots on December, 11. For more info on MAAR's Yo Pro programming, contact Aubray Erhardt at aubraye@mplsrealtor.com or visit the Yo Pro website. We also Twitter @maaryopro.

Yo Pro Presents Toys for Tots
MAAR's Yo Pro (Young Professionals) group is organizing its second annual Toys for Tots donation! If you would like a decorated donation box personally delivered to your office, please contact Aubray Erhardt at aubraye@mplsrealtor.com. She will connect you with a friendly Yo Pro member who will drop off the box and pick it up at a later date. They will handle transporting the gifts to KARE-11 TV on December 11. The Yo Pro who supplies the most toys will speak on behalf of MAAR on KARE-11 TV. Last year the winner was Matt Loskota.

Event: Yo Pro Toys for Tots
Date: Friday, December 11
Time: 9:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Location: KARE-11 TV, 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN

Educational Seminars
Speed dating meets roundtable discussions: "Squaretables" is the name of our quick-hit information and networking event geared toward young professionals (and welcome to all). The format is fast and fun. Check out one table for about 20 minutes, take what you need, ask what you want, move to next table, take more, and so on. Why Squaretables? Because our tables aren't round. Our next event will be on February 11. We'll share more information as we get closer to the date.

WEBForms Now Includes Lines for Free-Form Text Fields
By popular user demand, WEBForms was upgraded so that lines now appear on all multi-line sections. The lines remain when you type into the field or print. This is especially helpful to keep the forms looking neat forthose who wish to print the forms and write in those sections.

This upgrade includes all Minnesota state and NorthstarMLS forms, and those forms that include your broker logo (with no other changes to the form). NorthstarMLS will work on the Wisconsin state forms next.

Proprietary broker forms (and standard forms altered by the broker) are not included with this upgrade. Brokers who want a quote for applying this upgrade to their broker forms should contact WEBForms at helpdesk@webforms-us.com.

Friday, December 4, 2009 | Golden Valley Country Club , 7001 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley, MN 55427

7:15 a.m. Registration | 7:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast | 8:00 a.m. – Noon Program

$99 In Advance, $129 Day of Event | MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

4 hours of real estate CE credits have been applied for

Project Homeless Connect | Monday | December 7
Volunteers are needed to serve as guides to connect homeless individuals and families with more than 100 community agencies which will be available to address their needs. The Minneapolis Convention Center will serve as a one-stop shop service center on the day of the event. If you are a REALTOR® who has a passion to serve others in our community, This event takes place at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Orientation is required to volunteer. To register for this important event, please go to www.homelessconnectminneapolis.org.

Friday, December 11, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Defining Your Direction for 2010
Where do you want to position yourself in the marketplace in 2010. This workshop will walk you through the steps to determine your direction, and you will leave with an action plan for 2010.

MAAR is pleased to host a successful series of broker monthly meetings on managing your broker business. This free event will be held at the MAAR office. Register with Linda Stoeckicht at lindas@mplsrealtor.com or 952.988.3157.

Yo Pro is organizing their second annual Toys for Tots donation! If you would like a decorated donation box personally delivered to your office, please contact Aubray Erhardt at aubraye@mplsrealtor.com. She will connect you with a friendly Yo Pro member who will drop off the box and pick it up at a later date. They will handle transporting the gifts to KARE-11 TV on December 11. The Yo Pro who supplies the most toys will speak on behalf of MAAR on KARE-11 TV. Last year the winner was Matt Loskota.

Event: Yo Pro Toys for Tots
Date: Friday, December 11
Time: 9:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Location: KARE-11 TV, 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN

If you know a member who is not receiving enotes, please forward their email addresses to info@mplsrealtor.com. To unsubscribe, send an email to unsubscribe-enotes@mplsrealtor.com with REMOVE in the subject line. Allow 14 days to process the request. Send replies and news ideas to MAAR's Communications Manager, G. Sax.

© 2009 Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®. All rights reserved.