News and Updates

Weekly Market Activity Report

The last week of 2009 found the Twin Cities housing market singing "Auld Lang Syne" and taking a breather. For the first time in four years, the active listing inventory dropped below 20,000. Chiming in the New Year at 18,980, inventory is at its lowest point since April 2005 and is 22 percent below last year at this time. Also of note, January's Supply-Demand Ratio of 6.69 houses per buyer is 20.6 percent behind a year ago.

New listings for the week ending December 26 dropped 18.9 percent from last year to 446. The 392 purchase agreements for the week were up a merry 53.1 percent above the previous year; while a significant jump, this reflects a small sample size.

We expect 2010 to begin slowly as car starting becomes more important than house hunting during the frigid conditions we're presently experiencing in the metro area.

VIEW FULL REPORT | VIEW MORE RESEARCH REPORTS | VIEW FUNNY PHOTO

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2010 Membership Renewals Dues Are Overdue

$50 Late Payment Dues Renewal Fee in Effect
On top of the $50 late payment fee, an additional $50 reinstatement fee will be due if payment is not received by close of business on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 (totaling $100 in fees at that time). All payments received after December 7 without the $50 late dues renewal fee will be held for processing. Suspension of all services will occur if payment is not received by the final deadline of January 5, 2010.

Our policy on suspension, termination and applicable late dues renewal and reinstatement fees is pretty clear cut. We sincerely try to avoid these unpleasantries by making you aware of our policy throughout the annual dues renewal process.

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.

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

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Minnesota Association of REALTORS® Releases New Short Sale Form

The MNAR Forms Committee has released the new Short Sale Notice. This Notice is not purported to be all-inclusive, but is only meant to highlight some of those issues which should be reviewed and discussed with sellers and clients.

It is recommended that a listing agent/broker suggest to their seller that they seek the advice of an attorney as well as that of a tax advisor to fully understand what a short sale transaction entails and the consequences thereof. | VIEW & DOWNLOAD FORM

Source: Minnesota Association of REALTORS®

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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 11 begins a report on home sellers and real estate professionals.

Real Estate Insights: Web version | PDF version

Source: National Association of REALTORS®

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"Right Tools, Right Now" Extended to 2010

The "Right Tools, Right Now" initiative is back in 2010 to help you and your business find continued success. In the coming year, you'll find more great free or at-cost offers, updates to existing NAR products and resources, plus valuable tips on how to make the most of Right Tools, Right Now. Some recent updates:

It's a Great Time to Buy!
Get buyers off the fence with this updated brochure. Includes new tax credit changes.
| ORDER YOUR FREE COPY

Save Now With the Homebuyers Tax Credit
Help your buyers save now with this updated brochure on the Homebuyers Tax Credit. Includes new tax credit changes.
| ORDER YOUR FREE COPY

VIEW RIGHT TOOLS, RIGHT NOW HOME PAGE to access these and the hundreds of other downloadable products for FREE, member login is required at the REALTOR.org website.

VIEW NEW VIDEOS about Right Tools, Right Now and learn how to benefit more from this initiative.

TELL US how the Right Tools, Right Now initiative has helped you.

USE THIS LINK if you haven't downloaded an eProduct before or call NAR's Information Central at 1.800.874.6500.

USE THIS LINK if you don't know your login or call NAR's Information Central at 1.800.874.6500.

Source: National Association of REALTORS®

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Survey

Many thanks for answering the call and giving us enough survey respondents to do solid research! But just 60 more would give us a terrific, rounded result!

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY NOW

Please tell us where you're at with us, where you want us to be, and what you've been up to. The 2009 MAAR Membership Survey will truly help direct us and, as a bonus, there are 3 cash prizes ($100, $50, $50). You have until January 8 to be eligible for the prizes. We'll run the survey until at least then.

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.

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

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY NOW

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Departments

Public Affairs

Water Service, Foreclosed Vacant Properties & Winterization:
What You Should Know

If you are representing a vacant property in the Saint Paul, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Maplewood, West Saint Paul, Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, Newport, Roseville, South Saint Paul, Sunfish Lake and Little Canada you need to know procedures outlined by the Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS). The SPRWS is the provider of water to Saint Paul residents and the surrounding communities above.

They have provided a summary of information that will help you and your clients when it comes to matters of water service shut-off, winterization, water turn on and billing procedures. | MORE INFO

Source: Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®

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Education and Professional Development

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

Date and Time: Monday, January 11, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch served at 11:30 a.m. so please RSVP!
Venue: Roitenberg Family Assisted Living Residence
Address: 3610 Phillips Parkway, Saint Louis Park, MN 55426
Tour: There will be a tour after lunch.

The speaker, Georgia Lane from Geriatric Care Manager Elder Care Consultants, will speak on Normal Aging. What is Normal Aging? What should I expect when working with senior clients? What is the difference between normal aging and a disease process?

Special Feature: Lunch will be provided by Rointenberg Assisted Living, so you must RSVP by calling 952.908.2602. Space is limited to the first 20 to respond. | VIEW INFORMATIONAL FLYER

Limited Supply of 2010 Unlimited CE Passes
Back by popular demand, we are again offering a $99 Unlimited CE Pass for 2010. There are only 500 available for purchase, on a first-come, first-served basis. You can purchase the pass at any time (even before 2010). Get yours now while supplies last. Fewer than 370 are available as of January 4.

Please be aware of the most important change in terms for the 2010 Unlimited CE Pass: After three course "no shows" (not attending a class for which you are registered), your CE pass will be terminated.

As always, please call or cancel your registration online if you know you won't be able to attend a class.

2010
Please know that we are busy working on the 2010 course catalog. Classes will soon be posted on our website. Keep checking enotes and our website for updates. We’re working as fast as we can!

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News from NorthstarMLS

Fob-U-Less News: NorthstarMLS to Eliminate the Need for Key-Fob SafeMLS Tokens

In the coming months, NorthstarMLS will adopt the newest version of SafeMLS security that will make it easier and more convenient for you to access NorthstarMLS while increasing their ability to identify and stop unauthorized use of services. The push-button "key fob" tokens are going away!

MAAR and NorthstarMLS understand that the tokens have been an inconvenience. With the latest technology advancements, the new tokenless version of SafeMLS provides an even higher level of protection. Best of all, you can be assured that NorthstarMLS' convenient Single Sign On and administrative support logins will continue to offer you the benefits to which you have become accustomed.

Over the next couple of months, you will start to see this next generation of SafeMLS Secure Login taking shape. The new Secure Login combines information you enter at login—a user ID, PIN and password—with a technology that recognizes your own personal keystroke and computer use patterns to verify your identity.

Until we get there, the SafeMLS key fobs are still required for NorthstarMLS access and must be replaced if broken or lost. A lost key fob will still require payment for replacement. Even though they will be phased out soon, we still incur the full cost from the vendor for all replacements that are not the result of a defect.

We are very excited to bring back the convenience of quick login without losing any of the protection for NorthstarMLS listings and systems. Stay tuned for more information.

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Events

Broker Support Series

Friday, January 8, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

2010 State of the Real Estate Address
2010 should be quite an interesting year. So, let's get right into it! Our first Broker Support Series meeting is on Friday, January 8, with Mark Allen presenting his 2010 State of the Real Estate address.

MAAR is pleased to host this 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.

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REALTOR® Focus Group – January 12

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RealEstateHomePages.com Free Seminar – January 20

Join RealEstateHomePages.com for a free, two-hour seminar to grow your business, automate your marketing, and preview website and property search systems. The seminar includes training on website options, search engine optimization tips, lead capture, drip email and more.

Date: Wednesday, January 20
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: 5750 Lincoln Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55436
SIGN UP – FREE

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Minnesota Construction Conference – Strategies & Opportunities

$99, $129 Day of Event
4 Hours of Real Estate and Appraiser Continuing Education Credits are Pending Approval
from the Minnesota Department of Commerce for this Course.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

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