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Better & Better - A SPAAR Podcast

Better & Better - A SPAAR Podcast

By Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®

Better and Better is a podcast created by the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®, which conducts meaningful discussions and intentional interviews around real estate and REALTOR® association topics.
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Down Payment Assistance Programs in Minnesota

Better & Better - A SPAAR Podcast May 19, 2023

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42:28
What Is The Value of Title Insurance for Home Buyers?

What Is The Value of Title Insurance for Home Buyers?

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.

Apr 12, 202450:58
Are Home Buyers On The Move? - Beyond The Stats

Are Home Buyers On The Move? - Beyond The Stats

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.

Mar 25, 202427:37
An Interview With 2024 SPAAR President Amy Peterson

An Interview With 2024 SPAAR President Amy Peterson

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.

Mar 15, 202431:22
Beyond the Stats - January 2024 Statistics

Beyond the Stats - January 2024 Statistics

Dive into the January 2024 housing market statistics!

Feb 26, 202431:48
Beyond the Lens: Elevating Your Real Estate Listings With Visuals
Feb 09, 202440:38
2023 Recap With SPAAR's 2023 President

2023 Recap With SPAAR's 2023 President

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

Jan 10, 202417:24
Beyond the Stats - November 2023 Statistics

Beyond the Stats - November 2023 Statistics

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.


Dec 29, 202320:12
Beyond The Stats - September Statistics 2023

Beyond The Stats - September Statistics 2023

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

Oct 20, 202328:56
Selling With Style: Expert Insights On Staging & Decluttering A Home

Selling With Style: Expert Insights On Staging & Decluttering A Home

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.

Oct 13, 202331:30
Beyond the Stats: August Statistics

Beyond the Stats: August Statistics

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

Sep 29, 202333:49
Self-Defense And Situational Awareness In Real Estate

Self-Defense And Situational Awareness In Real Estate

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.

Sep 15, 202301:12:29
Safety Is Key When Selling Or Buying A Home

Safety Is Key When Selling Or Buying A Home

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.

Sep 08, 202341:49
Minnesota Housing: More Than Financing Programs

Minnesota Housing: More Than Financing Programs

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


Aug 31, 202319:27
Beyond The Stats - July Statistics

Beyond The Stats - July Statistics

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

Aug 25, 202323:58
GLOBAL BUSINESS COUNCIL: COMING SOON TO SPAAR?
Aug 18, 202333:58
Real Estate Investing 101

Real Estate Investing 101

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

Aug 11, 202331:48
Diving Into the 2023 Forms Changes

Diving Into the 2023 Forms Changes

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! 

Jul 25, 202331:55
Beyond the Stats - June Statistics

Beyond the Stats - June Statistics

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

Jul 21, 202331:59
Market Like A Pro: Marketing Tips For Realtors® - Part 2

Market Like A Pro: Marketing Tips For Realtors® - Part 2

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.

Jun 30, 202343:44
Market Like A Pro: Marketing Tips For Realtors® - Part 1

Market Like A Pro: Marketing Tips For Realtors® - Part 1

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.

Jun 27, 202332:27
Beyond the Stats - June 2023

Beyond the Stats - June 2023

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!

Jun 16, 202335:49
Spreading Smiles: Stories of Joy and Giving with Toys for Joy
Jun 09, 202347:52
Beyond The Stats - May 2023

Beyond The Stats - May 2023

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.

May 26, 202334:17
Down Payment Assistance Programs in Minnesota

Down Payment Assistance Programs in Minnesota

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.

May 19, 202342:28
First Time Homebuyers: Financing and Credit (What You Need to Know)

First Time Homebuyers: Financing and Credit (What You Need to Know)

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.

May 05, 202336:30
Couples In Real Estate: How Does It Work?

Couples In Real Estate: How Does It Work?

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.

Dec 07, 202236:22
Better & Better - Real Estate Today: POV Of A New Agent

Better & Better - Real Estate Today: POV Of A New Agent

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.

Jun 10, 202233:20
On Demand Education At SPAAR - With Kristin Parker

On Demand Education At SPAAR - With Kristin Parker

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.

May 23, 202229:30
Bridging Is Furnishing Homes With Hope

Bridging Is Furnishing Homes With Hope

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!

Jun 22, 202101:02:30
Fair Housing Month Special With MN Housing

Fair Housing Month Special With MN Housing

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.

Apr 20, 202133:10
Greenway Expansion Plan

Greenway Expansion Plan

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.

Mar 16, 202150:20
NAR's Changes To The Code of Ethics

NAR's Changes To The Code of Ethics

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.

Feb 16, 202130:06
The New Real Estate Fundamentals - An Interview with Danielle Pelton and Jennifer Livingston

The New Real Estate Fundamentals - An Interview with Danielle Pelton and Jennifer Livingston

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.

Jan 19, 202119:11
2020 Round-Up with President Patrick Ruble

2020 Round-Up with President Patrick Ruble

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.

Dec 15, 202032:35