How much is enough?

Minnesota Budget proposal increases spending 9.3%
Governor Pawlenty Increases Government Housing Funds By 62%

You would think most special interest groups would be happy to hear that the Governor has proposed a budget that will increase state government spending by 9.3% over the next biennium - without raising anyone's income, sales, or other taxes. If your income increased 9.3% my guess is that many of you would be quite pleased.

You would think that because you are privately employed individuals. You know there is no guarantee that your income will increase each and every year. In fact, other than fiscal year 2004, state spending has increased each and every year and it has always increased over the government's two-year biennium. Even during the difficult short fall in 2004-2005 – a period often described as a "slash and burn" budget, state tax revenue and spending INCREASED by 5.6%! During the budget period we are concluding, government spending is projected to increase 12%.

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Is the MN REALTORS® Opposed to
Affordable Housing?

No. We clearly understand that in any society where there is a wide variety of incomes there will be people who spend a higher percentage of their income on housing (FACT: this is true for all expenses, food, medical, clothing, school, transportation, etc.). Government through HUD and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency have done a wonderful job at allocating scarce resources (citizen tax money) to help those people in the most difficult of situations find housing.

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Help Your Clients Build Equity

According to Smart Money magazine, one of the best methods to increase a home's resale value is found outside of the house. Adding trees, shrubs, flowers, patios, retaining walls, fountains, and paths to your yard can increase the home's value by up to 15 percent!

The Minnesota Association of REALTORS® (MNAR) and the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) have again partnered to offer you a unique and FREE tool to help your clients/customers obtain better prices while also enjoying the outdoors. You only need to pay for shipping ($11.00/box)!

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Your Thinking is Requested

We will be setting up meetings with agents and brokers in 20 cities throughout the state to discuss your experience with the new marketplace of real estate that is being transformed by technology, the Internet, compensation competition and a much more knowledgeable real estate consumer.

Please take a few moments to answer some questions regarding the changing real estate market by linking https://www.mnrealtor.com/secure/Questions/register.htm

Upcoming Education Extravaganza:
Golden Valley, Feb. 16

Negotiation Skills: What Consumers Want/Need Most
from Real Estate Professionals

Instructor: Glenn Dorfman, Chief Operating Officer, MN REALTORS®

This course is designed to teach agents the art and science of negotiations in a real estate transaction. While looking at the factors that affect negotiations, the students will also receive insight on the rules of negotiations, pre-bargaining issues, communication skills, closure strategies and evaluation methods.

Demographic Change and Minnesota Real Estate

Instructor: Chris Galler, Sr. Vice President, MN REALTORS®

This course is designed to give insight on the changing real estate market conditions and the changing demographics of today's buyers and sellers. This program discusses changes in family formations, aging, immigration/migration, and a variety of issues that will impact the real estate market over the next 10 years.

Did you miss one of the Education Extravaganzas, but would like the information? You can order the Education Extravaganzas on DVD for $5.00 each plus tax. There is no CE credit with the DVD, but you get all the information as it was presented in class.

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