January 30, 2017
Global Week 
Are you prepared to work with buyers and sellers in our ever-changing cultural landscape in Minnesota? We have nearly 419,000 foreign-born residents in Minnesota, and 46.8% of them are homeowners. Join MAAR during Global Week from February 13 - 17 with various classes and activities to enhance your cultural knowledge when working with your clients.
Monday, February 13 (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Global Real Estate: Local Markets (also a core class toward your Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS Designation) | 7.50 CE Hours | 2011 NAR President, Ron Phipps | REGISTER

Tuesday, February 14 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
At Home with Diversity Certification (can be used as an elective toward CIPS and ABR Designations) | 7.00 CE Hours | 2011 NAR President, Ron Phipps | REGISTER
 
Wednesday, February 15 (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Muslim Financing | 2.00 CE Hours | Sheob Sharieff | REGISTER
 
Friday, February 17 (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
Hmong Village Bus Tour | REGISTER
2017 Leadership Installation & Gala
This year’s Annual Installation and Gala was a formal event that included entertainment from SW High School’s 17-piece jazz band, catered meals from the American Swedish Institute, gallery and mansion tours as well as the presentation of awards and the installation of the new 2017 leadership. | PHOTOS
Congratulations to the new leadership for 2017:
  • Cotty Lowry, President
  • Kath Hammerseng, President-Elect
  • Todd Urbanski, Treasurer
  • Todd Walker, Secretary
  • Judy Shields, Past-President
2016 Heart of the Community Awards Recipients:
  • Bonita Everts
  • Chuma Ikegwuani
  • Phil Rustad
  • Steve Ganz
  • Ted Field
Announcing...

LeRoy Bendickson
LeRoy embodies the spirit of the REALTOR of the Year Award. He is willing to serve as a local association leader while raising MAAR’s brand at the state and national levels. There is no volunteer job that is too large or small for LeRoy. When he is called to help, he comes ready to get the job done.
Local Involvement: Currently, Leroy serves on the MAAR Board of Directors, serves as chair of the Awards Society and Community Engagement Committee, serves on Governmental Affairs Committee, and has served on the MAAR Foundation Committee.
State Involvement: LeRoy serves on the Minnesota Association of REALTORS Diversity Committee and Professional Standards Committee. He has served as a volunteered on MNAR and MAAR’s phone bank calling potential RPAC contributors. He helped to pass out brochures at national meetings in support of John Smaby’s campaign for Vice President.
National: LeRoy was awarded the National Association of REALTORS Good Neighbor Award in 2011. He serves as Chair of the Advisory Council for the NAR Good Neighbor Award, and helps MAAR to identify members who may qualify as potential Good Neighbor Award candidates.
 
Civic Engagement: LeRoy is founder and team captain of the Real Estate Riders, who they rides to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis. In 1995, his team of 12 riders raised $8,000.00. Last year, the team of 252 riders raised over $170,000.00. The team’s fundraising history totals over $1,700,000.00 in 22 years. 
 
MAAR is honored to present the 2017 REALTOR of the Year Award to LeRoy Bendickson.
Annual REALTOR Summit Registration
Join us for this year's theme of Beyond All Limits: Breaking Through Barriers with national speakers Richard Leider, Beth Ziesenis and Jared James.
 
Includes continental breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, Expo and CE credits*. 
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and Sessions begin exactly at 9:00 a.m. | REGISTER
 
*Courses within the Summit are pending approval for continuing education through the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce
WEEKLY MARKET ACTIVITY REPORT
 
The number of existing homes sold in 2016 was 5.4 million, which exceeded the 5.25 million sold in the previous year and is now the highest in a decade. Declining inventory and affordability are both going to be closely surveyed this year, as a continuation of those trends could negatively impact sales. For now, prices are still running higher and days on market are still lower, both indicative of healthy demand. | MORE 
The Skinny Video
A smart, bite-sized video of the local market to share with your clients. | VIDEO
 
2016 Annual Housing Market Report
Take a look! Be sure to scroll through to the last page where you'll find the historical review. | REPORT
UPCOMING CLASSES/EVENTS
 
Tuesday, January 31 (1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.)
Required Module: Residential Contracts | 3.75 CE Hours | REGISTER 
 
Wednesday, February 1 (8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.)
Size Matters 2 | 3.75 CE Hours | REGISTER
 
Friday, February 3 (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
New Member Orientation | REGISTER
Wednesday, February 8 (8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.)
Required Module: Residential Contracts | 3.75 CE Hours | REGISTER
 
Wednesday, February 8 (1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Infosparks Sparks II: Sharpening the Data Sword | 2.50 CE Hours | REGISTER
Spring Training
Bonita Springs - Estero Association of REALTORS 
 
Wednesday, February 15 (1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.)
Social Strategies 2017 | 3.75 CE Hours | REGISTER

Thursday, February 16 (8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.) 
7/1/16 - 6/30/17 Required Module: Residential Contracts | 3.75 CE Hours | REGISTER

Thursday, February 16 (1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.) 
Mind Your Own Business | 3.75 CE Hours | REGISTER

Friday, February 17 (8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.) 
Listing with Confidence | 4.00 CE Hours | REGISTER
February 23, 2017
Housing Day at the Capitol | St. Paul Rivercentre | INFO
TRENDING 
2016 New-Home Sales Near Decade-Long High Enter Good Neighbor Awards, Volunteering Works
ADVERTISING
 
Option Realty 
If timing is not right to sell real estate, consider having your license held by a LRFO company. You will not have MLS access; however, you remain licensed to receive referral fees. | MORE
Drive Focused
Many of us start the year with new year resolutions. Whether you've already made yours, or are still compiling them, help put an end to distracted driving. Please take a few seconds to fill out the form and pledge to Drive Focused. | FORM
HWY 169 Construction 
Upcoming construction on Highway 169 in the west metro will bring improvements in road safety and quality. In the meantime; however, you will encounter detours en route to our office in Edina. We hope that these suggestions will help minimize the inconvenience.
 
From the north: Take Hwy. 169 south to Excelsior Blvd. west, then south on Shady Oak Road to Crosstown east (Hwy 62), then Hwy 169 north to the Bren Road exit. 

From the south: Access to Bren Road from the south will remain open during the project. 

To learn more, visit mndot.gov/metro/projects/hwy169hopkins, where you can sign up for email updates and follow the project via social media. 
Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS
5750 Lincoln Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55345