Better & Better - A SPAAR Podcast

Join us as we talk local market statistics and fair housing.

SPAAR members Chelsea Erickson and Nichole Hayden sat down with SPAAR's Communications Director, Jennifer Kovacich, to talk local housing market statistics, including what they're experiencing in today's market and how they guide their clients to make the decisions right for them.

SPAAR members Erica Brodd and Jordan Lundberg sat down with Jennifer Kovacich, SPAAR's Communications Director, to discuss HO6 insurance, including what it is, how it varies from other insurances, and what is important to know. Erica shares her expertise in insurance and Jordan brings her lending expertise to the conversation.

We sat down with Jennifer Livingston the 2025 President of SPAAR to talk her real estate journey, hopes and goals for 2025, and more.

In this special episode of SPAAR's Better and Better podcast, 2024 SPAAR President Amy Peterson joins Communications Director Jennifer Kovacich to reflect on an eventful year and share highlights, insights, and aspirations for the future.

Jennifer Kovacich, SPAAR's Communications Director, and Amy Peterson, SPAAR 2024 President, discuss the October 2024 housing market statistics and how things might look over the next few months.

Join us as we dive into the September 2024 housing market stats.

September is REALTOR® Safety Month! SPAAR REALTOR® members Susan Mall and Chelsea Erickson join us to talk safety tips and share stories on the importance of keeping safety top of mind for both you and your clients. For safety resources visit https://spaar.com/safety.

In this episode of SPAAR's Better and Better Podcast, we sit down with Gabe Walsh, the new CEO of the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®. Gabe, who stepped into his role on July 1, 2024, brings a wealth of experience and a member-driven focus to the SPAAR. Join us as Gabe shares his journey from his previous roles as General Counsel for the Iowa Association of REALTORS® and CEO of the Lake Superior Area REALTORS®, and what drew him to SPAAR.

Join us as we dive into the July 2024 housing market stats.

Real estate veterans Liz Novotny and Jeff Zajak share their journeys and expert advice on leveraging connections to grow your business. Learn practical strategies and techniques for attending networking events, maintaining consistent communication, and positioning yourself as a trusted resource. Tune in to enhance your networking skills and learn to build meaningful relationships that drive your real estate success.

Drive into the June 2024 Twin Cities Housing market stats!

Join us as we cover the May 2024 housing market statistics!

Dive into the world of home insurance and its impact on the loan process.

Tune in for a deep dive into what's shaping the market, the challenges REALTORS® are facing, and the creative strategies they use to guide their clients through a dynamic and ever-evolving real estate market. Tune in now and stay informed!

Learn about real-world problems that title insurance can solve, like disputed property lines or undisclosed liens, and get expert advice on how to safeguard your client's transactions against potential fraud. This podcast will equip you with the tools to help you inform your clients on the value of title insurance, and help them navigate the complexities of buying a home with confidence.

This episode of Beyond The Stats features a conversation between SPAAR Communications Director Jennifer Kovacich, and two local Realtors®, Susan Mall and Amanda Cox. Together they cover a wide range of topics related to current conditions, trends, and advice for buyers and sellers in the local market.

2024 SPAAR President Amy discusses what members can expect to experience this year at SPAAR, her thoughts on AI in the real estate industry, and more.

Dive into the January 2024 housing market statistics!

Borna Albus, the owner of Square Feet Floor Plans, shares his expertise on the importance of quality home photography, videography, and the value of 2d-floor plans and 3d tours to help you level up your real estate listings. Review NorthstarMLS Rules & Regulations at https://northstarmls.com/rules-regulations/

2023 SPAAR President Brianne Lawrence shares her experience as president and SPAAR's accomplishments in 2023.

Better and Better is back with another episode of Beyond the Stats! Join us for a deep dive into the November 2023 housing market stats.

We are back with another episode of Beyond the Stats! Join us for a deep dive into the September 2023 housing market stats.

Kira, founder and owner of Zestful Design, came on the podcast to share insights on home-stating and decluttering that you can implement with your clients selling their home.

Go beyond the stats with a focus on real estate safety!

Our second Safety Month podcast features Danae Hudson, Co-Owner and Instructor at Valley Self-Defense. Danae shares stories and experiences from both inside and outside of the real estate industry along with helpful tips on how to become situational aware and protect yourself in difficult situations. Tune in to learn more about risk assessment and self-defense from Danae. We hope you enjoy the episode of our podcast as much as we enjoyed talking with Danae, and make sure to check out Valley Self-Defense for more information about their services.

Kira, an experienced safety expert and owner of Zestful Design, gives best practices to keep you and your home sellers and buyers safe both during and after closing.

SPAAR sat down with El Karnwie-Tuah from Minnesota Housing who shared some valuable insight into what Minnesota Housing does beyond financing assistance.

In this months Beyond the Stats, learn some tips you can use when speaking to your clients about the housing market!

The Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS® (SPAAR) is evaluating whether it should establish a Global Business Council (GBC).  SPAAR's GBC would supplement the work of the Committee for DEI, providing members opportunities to expand their business about learning about diverse communities, cultures and business practices.  Are you interested in global real estate?  Are there opportunities to grow your business by embracing a global perspective?   Global Business Councils (GBC) coordinate opportunities for Realtors® to learn about global real estate: the ins and outs of international transactions, information about other cultures and connecting with buyers and sellers---domestic and international.  The Global Business Council Program is part of the National Association of REALTORS®. SPAAR Members are invited to participate in a survey to learn more about GBC and how they provide educational and networking opportunities for you and your business:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeR8PMjIbjlfuFJQRLHNDqqcFC0Vl_LlieoL7mmV_eCsIDbeA/viewform?usp=sf_link Let's learn more about Global Business Councils from REALTORS® Adriana Martinez and Adade Amenounve and SPAAR's CEO, John Fridlington.  What do GBC's do?  What does CIP stand for?  Is real estate in St. Paul “global?” 

SPAAR Past President Mark Mason joins the conversation to talk about his personal journey in real estate investing and how you can get started.

SPAAR's Education & Events Director, Kristin Parker, is joined by Ryan Torpey, Minnesota Realtors® Associate Legal Counsel, to talk about the upcoming forms changes taking effect on August 1, 2023! 

Go beyond the stats! Hear from Realtors® on what they are seeing the stats play out when working with clients.

Part 2 of diving into the world of real estate marketing with industry experts Dan Sherman, owner of Stainless Real Estate Photography, and Luke Fleck, SPAAR Director of Digital Engagement.

Join us for an engaging and informative episode as we delve into the world of real estate marketing with industry experts Dan Sherman, owner of Stainless Real Estate Photography, and Luke Fleck, SPAAR Director of Digital Engagement. In this insightful conversation, we explore key strategies and practical tips to help you elevate your real estate marketing efforts to the next level. From discussion on creating a marketing plan to leveraging the power of social media, we leave no stone unturned in uncovering effective tactics that can significantly impact your business.

Despite recent increases in interest rates impacting buyer affordability, there's some positive news for prospective buyers in certain areas. Declining sales prices and a surge in new construction are providing much-needed relief. Understanding these market trends can help your buyers and sellers make informed decisions. Stay updated on the real estate landscape to maximize your buying potential by going Beyond the Stats!

Join us as we dive into the magical world of Toys For Joy, a charitable organization serving the Anoka County area that has been bringing happiness to families in need for decades. Hear heartwarming stories from Toys For Joy President Mike Hunstad and Board Member Ashley Haataja that will remind you of the incredible power of generosity and compassion. Check out their Facebook and Website for upcoming events and ways you can help! Toys For Joy Facebook Toys For Joy Website

Two of SPAAR's Communications Committee members, Chelsea Erickson and Nichole Hayden, sat down with SPAAR's Communications Director to discuss the current local housing market statistics as well as what they're experiencing in the field through their work with current and prospective clients.

SPAAR's Education & Events Director, Kristin Parker, sits down with two SPAAR Affiliate Members: Cindy Allen of Bay Equity Home Loans and Kevin Harris of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage to talk about Minnesota Down Payment Assistance Programs – shedding some light on a variety of opportunities for homebuyers.

SPAAR's Education & Events Director, Kristin Parker, sits down with two SPAAR Affiliate Members: Cindy Allen of Bay Equity Home Loans and Steven Tran of Fairway Mortgage to talk about First Time Homebuyers – what REALTORS® can do to educate and better help these consumers become a homeowner.

REALTOR®-REALTOR® couples who maintain a relationship while they grow a business: how do they navigate personal and professional commitments? Is work/life balance a myth? How do you decide who's the “fun one” and who gets to deliver hard news to clients? In the first of a series of occasional episodes, we spoke with Dean Schlaak and Tom DeGree.

A recent article by the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that during the pandemic more than 20,000 people took the MN Real Estate License Exam. We sat down with one of those agents, Charles Osugo, to hear his perspective and experience being a new REALTOR® in real estate today.

On average, SPAAR offers more than 300 CE hours of classes to its members each year, with approximately 5,000 of student/participants attending either in-person at SPAAR or virtually in our live Community Campus zoom classroom. Kristin Parker, SPAAR's Education and Event Director, joins the podcast to talk about SPAAR adding On Demand style CE.

SPAAR sat down with Diana Dalsin and Mark Wilkening from Bridging to talk about their positive environmental impact, the impact of the pandemic on Bridging, and more!

Kasey Kier, Assistant Commissioner at MN Housing, came on the show for a special Fair Housing Month episode! Kasey spoke with us about MN Housing's mission, their strategies for reducing housing disparities in Minnesota, current housing programs, and much more.

SPAAR sat down with Soren Jensen, Executive Director of the Midtown Greenway Coalition, to talk about the Greenways history, their plans to extend it into St. Paul, and what the expansion would mean for real estate.

Jonathan Kopecky from Minnesota REALTORS® joined us on the podcast to talk about the recent changes to the Code of Ethics approved by NAR Board of Directors back in November of 2020.

In this episode of Better & Better, Joe McKinley interviewed 2020 Rising Star Award Winners and MetroYPN Chair and Vice-Chair Danielle Pelton and Jennifer Livingston to discuss their experience as REALTORS® and MetroYPN's new program Real Estate Fundamentals.

In the very first episode of the Better & Better podcast, Joe McKinley sat down with SPAAR's 2020 President Patrick Ruble to discuss the challenges the association faced this year, the impact of association involvement, and the future challenges facing the real estate industry.