Spotlight On: Brianne Lawrence, 2023 President, SPAAR
August 2024 — Invest: spoke with Brianne Lawrence, 2023 president of SPAAR, about the numerous programs and incentives that they are working on to encourage first time homebuyers, how AI is being implemented in the real estate sector, and their efforts to revitalize the Rondo community that displaced many families during the construction of a highway in the 50/60s.
What are some notable achievements for SPAAR over the last 2 years?
Rates were up, prices are up and inventory was down. We were expecting that to change, and so are the consumers, but we are starting to see a lot of buyers and sellers beginning to adapt to this as normal and are wanting more stability in their homeownership journey. In the last 60 days we have seen a lot of new inventory on the market. We have seen a lot of success with home buyer and seller programs. Minnesota has launched the first generational home buyer credit. That is assisting first time buyers with closing cost and down payment money. This helps to get a variation of people into the market, and many people embrace the idea of getting new buyers into the market.
SPAAR has two government affairs directors, and they are doing some innovative thinking. I hate to call it a crisis, but we are short 100,000 units, so we are trying to think of ways that we can change that. We have been working with our affairs directors and local politicians to come up with opportunities to protect home ownership and private property rights so we can provide equal opportunity to everyone. Our average home price is nearing $400,000 and that is not obtainable or affordable. We have discussed zoning changes and tiny home communities. Together, we are trying to come up with creative resources to make that happen. Also, we are looking at not only buyer incentives, but incentives for sellers as well. We need to get inventory up so we are working on programs for sellers that would allow them some sort of tax break, as an incentive to put their houses on the market.
How does SPAAR engage with and give back to the community?
REALTORS® Charitable Foundation supports organizations that focus on housing-related initiatives and supporting the local communities, often where members live and work. The Foundation has provided $575,000 in community grants since 2014. In addition, we support our members by offering a scholarship for 2-and 4-year degrees as well as trade programs; these scholarships are open to the children or grandchildren of any SPAAR member. The Foundation has granted $94,000 in student scholarships since 2014.
How do you support the development and continuing education of your members?
We just launched an on-demand education service for members that offers a variety of classes to enhance their knowledge and professional development. This resource allows us to meet our members on their timeframe and wherever they’re at to provide greater flexibility. We do a lot of breakfast and education meetings on topics ranging from fair housing, ethics and appraisals to AI and social media, or anything that is up and coming in the industry to give our members a competitive edge.
How does technology and AI impact your industry?
This is a hot topic. We’re excited to embrace AI and its enhancements. Online viewing is considered a first showing and provides greater reach for consumers. In the future, we expect digital automation to ease the input currently done manually, allowing for the process to be expedited and seamless. AI is very efficient and can save people money when given that task. It can write a description or property remarks. There are many positive trends coming with AI; the opportunities are endless. In addition, we’re seeing growing audiences interested in sustainable and green product options.
How does SPAAR advocate for its realtors at the local, state, or national levels?
Our government affairs directors work closely with city and county officials within our 12-county service area, working on behalf of our members. They can go to the local level about city zoning, and work with the State Association on statewide issues. Our directors listen to what people need, and then they rally for us. Every year there is a realtor day in the capital where we talk to our state legislatures about hot pressing issues or concerns, so they can raise awareness of home ownership rights. Real estate is a majority of the GDP. Without it you don’t have professional services, lenders/bankers, moving companies, construction companies, restaurants and parks, or neighborhood revitalization programs.
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How are you incorporating DEI and inclusivity into your operations?
Realtors are engaged with doing that type of work in the community. Also, we look at DEI in every aspect of our business to make sure we are inclusive to everybody. We go to them and discuss how we can be allies and ask about what obstacles they are facing. We also work with numerous organizations and industry partners including the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, Twin Cities Women’s Council of Realtors, Twin Cities Metro, The Real Estate Alliance, and the Asian Real Estate Association of America with great member crossover between the groups and SPAAR.
We are in the top 10 of the worst states for diversity, so we are working on integrating DEI into every area of our business. There is a community called Rondo, and several years ago our main interstate went through this primarily African American community, subsequently displacing many families. There were covenants in the deed that said that black people could not own property. We are standing and uniting with them to create a bridge to the gap over the road that split the neighborhood. Rondo created a plaza and a museum through grant money to revitalize the area. Hundreds of families were displaced when the road was built in the 50/60s, so it’s been rewarding to be a part of helping Rondo to rebuild.
What are your top priorities moving forward? How will the real estate industry evolve?
We want to get back to home ownership for everybody. We want it to be affordable and obtainable, and we want them to achieve the dream of home ownership. We want to make sure homeowners know that we are an ally with them to achieve their goals and dreams. Better agents, better communities is our motto; we can help to bring everyone together.
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