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For the week ending July 31, New Listings in the Twin Cities region were down 4.3 percent from last year, with 1,566 new properties coming onto the market. Pending Sales were down 34.3 percent from a year ago, as 651 purchase agreements were signed.
Over the last three months, there have been 13.4 fewer new listings than there were during the same period a year ago and 38.7 percent fewer pendings. This means increasing inventory. There were 27,627 Active Listings for Sale as of August 9, up 6.6 percent from the same point in 2009.
The growth in inventory, combined with slowed sales demand, means that the number of homes available per buyer in August has jumped to 8.64, up dramatically from the mark of 5.28 seen a year ago.
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We're making housing market data easier than ever to explore and dissect. Welcome to “The Thing,” a new interactive market analytics tool for local real estate. | TRY THE THING | How-To Handout
If you have further questions about The Thing, start with our FAQ. Also, please consider sending us some feedback.
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Source: National Association of REALTORS®
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If you are a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, then Scribblez is for you. What is Scribblez? It's a way to send your Facebook friends a quick wall message with a subtle reminder that you are a REALTOR®. Use it to welcome new friends on Facebook, or keep up to date with old ones. It’s a great way to stay connected! Give it a try. | MORE INFO
Source: Center for REALTOR® Technology
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We are adjusting our MLS billing to align our accounting workflow with the other local associations. This small change will result in increased staff productivity and enabling brokers to easily manage their agents' MLS fees no matter which association they are a member of. MLS fees will now be billed one month prior to the beginning of each quarter. You will still have 30 days to make your payment.
The forth quarter billing cycle will begin September 1 with a due date of September 30. | Detailed Billing Schedule
Note: If you have not paid your third quarter mls fee, it is past due, service will be suspended and a late fee will soon apply. | MORE INFO
If you have questions about Direct Agent Billing, email accounting@mplsrealtor.com or call 952.933.9020.
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Enhance Your Agent/Broker Website With Down Payment Resource!
If you have a website where consumers can search for listings, you already have the Broker Reciprocity logo on each listing showing that you are a Participant. Now you can easily add the Down Payment Resource icon to each listing where down payment assistance may be available.
 Consumers click the icon and fill out a contact form to get more information about the assistance programs where they may be eligible. The sales lead is immediately forwarded to you along with links to more details about the DPR programs (that the consumer does not see without your help).
Note: For Broker sites and agent sites governed by broker policies, the leads are forwarded according to that broker's policy. It's easy to get set-up, and as a part of your NorthstarMLS core service, there is no charge. Go to the Down Payment Resource set-up instructions page. If you have questions or need help, click "Submit Ticket" on the left side of the instructions page.
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NAR has been developing tools in this area, including a new iPhone app called Place Tags. Created by CRT, the app geo-tags addresses on a smart phone’s mapping application and lets you add photos and notesassociated with a specific location.
Think of the app as a tool to consolidate listing information on-the-go. Do you have a client who thinks better when they have a map in front of them? Now they can put details, such as images and thoughts about a house and the surrounding community on that map.
In version 2.0, the application will be able to sync the tagged information directly to Google Maps. “This is a huge new feature,” says McKeever. The app also works when traveling, says McKeever. Log your place-tags before you arrive at your designation. When you’re walking through the new city, you will have info and photos on your phone’s map, right in the palm of your hand. | READ MORE | iTunes App Store for free
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We would like to recognize one of our members as MAAR “REALTOR® of the Year.” It is our way of showing appreciation to members for their volunteerism to our association as well as any involvement with the national and state associations.
Note: Current President, President-Elect and Immediate Past-President of MAAR are not eligible.
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Why do you love being a REALTOR? Share your story with NAR and receive an "I LOVE being a REALTOR" pin. | MORE INFO
Source: National Association of REALTORS®
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MAAR CE Online Class Opportunities in August!
Enroll today and receive a 10% discount on your entire order!
Enter Promo Code: CNV10
Expires: August 31, 2010 | MORE INFO
Source: CE Shop
 See New Fall Classes
Please go to the EPD Home Page for all your education needs, call us at 952.908.2602. 2010
Unlimited CE Passes
You can purchase the CE pass online, over the phone, or at the MAAR office. You will need to wait until approximately 9:00 a.m. the next business day for your card to be activated which allows you to register. Get yours now while supplies last! Please be aware of the change 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. To cancel your course please call or go online.
Compass Academy Applications
This program fosters the personal leadership skills required to make bold business decisions in a fiercely competitive industry. Participants learn and practice key concepts of personal leadership. Group sessions include interactive learning and are supplemented with individual coaching. For more information, contact Nancy Scott at nancys@mplsrealtor.com or 952.988.3128.
Yo Pro is offering a scholarship. Contact Aubray Erhardt for more information aubraye@mplsrealtor.com
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 RETT—Real Estate Tech Tank talks "Mobile"! In the market for a new smart phone, iPad or laptop? We'll compare and contrast the iPhone to the Android phone to the Blackberry; and laptops to the netbook to the iPad, plus download and discuss hot mobile tools and techniques for REALTOR®. Mobile storage, productivity apps, live video for virtual showings, real-time real estate concepts and more!
Time and Date: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Thursday, August 19
Location: MAAR Office
Facebook: rettmpls | Twitter: #rett
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Parking Instructions: Free validated parking in the Calhoun Beach Club
underground parking ramp at Thomas Avenue and West Lake Street.
To RSVP, email Aubray Erhardt, aubraye@mplsrealtor.com
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Let's Open the Doors to Your Listings! Statewide Open House August 21 & 22
The Minnesota Association of REALTORS® (MNAR) and MAAR are partnering to bring you the first Minnesota Statewide Open House Weekend. We want REALTORS®, you, around the state to hold open houses on August 21 & 22, during Statewide Open House Weekend. We hope that your clients who have listed their homes for sale will open their doors with a REALTOR® as a host. And, we hope that those of you representing buyers will be out in force as well.
MNAR will work to make the public aware of Statewide Open House Weekend - August 21 & 22. The public needs to know that this is still an incredible time to buy a home. Why?
• We have historically low interest rates
• There are a wide variety of homes available in many different price ranges
• The Minnesota economy is picking up and the unemployment rate is among the lowest in the country
How the event be promoted?
MNAR is working on advertisement placement in the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press, as well as outstate Minnesota publications in the week leading up to Statewide Open House Weekend. Balloons will also be available at MAAR the week preceding the event. Use the balloons to indicate your participation in Statewide Open House Weekend.
Get involved | Download Open House logo
Source: Minnesota Association of Realtors®
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President Obama in mid-July signed sweeping financial services reform into law. The 2,300-page law creates an oversight agency for financial services companies and a consumer financial protection bureau. It also includes provisions to curb risky mortgage lending and to address appraiser selection by lenders. Your members can register for a free webinar that covers the real estate-related provisions. The webinar takes place Thursday, August 26, at 3 p.m., Eastern Time. Also, watch and link to a video on the law and read a summary from NAR Government Affairs. | MORE INFO
Source: National Association of REALTORS®
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Break out the video camera and tell us how the 2010 REALTORS® Conference & Expo will make a difference to your business. Your video should be no longer than three minutes, and all you have to do is explain in your own words why you deserve an all-expense paid trip to NARdiGras 2010—this year’s REALTORS® Conference & Expo in New Orleans.
Entering the video contest is easy! Just fill out the entry form, record a video, and upload it to our Brightcove video account. | VIDEO GUIDELINES
Source: National Association of REALTORS®
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