Do negative headlines and talk on social media have you feeling worried about the housing market? Maybe you’ve even seen or heard something lately that scares you and makes you wonder if you should still buy or sell a home right now. Regrettably, when news in the media isn't easy to understand, it can make people feel scared and unsure. Similarly, negative talk on social media spreads fast and creates fear. As Jason Lewris, Co-Founder and Chief Data Officer at Parcl, says:“In the absence of trustworthy, up-to-date information, real estate decisions are increasingly being driven by fear, uncertainty, and doubt.”But it doesn’t have to be that way. Buying a home is a big decision, and it should be one you feel confident making. You should lean on a trusted real estate agent to help you separate fact from fiction and get the answers you need.That agent will use their knowledge of what’s really happening with home prices, housing supply, expert forecasts, and more to give you the best possible advice. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:“. . . agents combat uncertainty and fear with a combination of historical perspective, training and facts.”The right agent will help you figure out what’s going on at the national level and in your local area.They’ll debunk headlines using data you can trust. Plus, they have in-depth knowledge of the industry and can provide context, so you know how current trends compare to the normal ebbs and flows in the housing market, historical data, and more.Then, to make sure you have the full picture, an agent can tell you if your local area is following the national trend or if they’re seeing something different in your market. Together, you can use all that information to make the best possible decision.After all, making a move is a potentially life-changing milestone. It should be something you feel ready for and excited about. And that’s where a trusted expert comes in.Bottom LineIf you need reliable information about the housing market and expert advice about your own move, get in touch with a real estate agent in your area.

A Career in Massachusetts Real Estate - What you need to know A real estate career provides flexibility and the freedom to set your own hours. Income directly reflects your efforts, with no limits on what astute, hard-working agents can earn. Successful people in real estate are goal-oriented, persevering, self-motivated, ambitious, and people-oriented. The rewards of a real estate career are the potential for high earnings, status in the community, autonomy, time freedom, helping people, intellectual challenge, and satisfaction from those accomplishments. Working in real estate allows for independence and choices of environment in which to work, such as affiliation with a large or small firm as a listed salesperson. With more experience and upon passing of an additional exam, becoming a real estate broker is the next step. Brokers can own their own businesses and employ other salespeople. There are many reasons why people get their real estate license. Some people are sick of the 9-5 schedule. Others can’t stand working for demanding bosses while doing unfulfilling work. Whatever the case, there are numerous benefits to working as an agent. Real estate agents work for themselves. They’re the ones who choose the clients they want, the leads they generate, how they market themselves, and pretty much anything that has to do with their business. If you want to be the one in charge and are sick of the rat race of working a corporate job, real estate could be perfect for you. Your real estate career is your business. They are synonymous. How well you do directly correlates to your business’s success. Now, some parts of the business, like accounting and marketing, make some agents feel queasy due to a lack of experience or necessary skills. That’s okay. Here are two options that many agents have found success with. For most full-time employees, your yearly salary is fixed. Any extra time spent working on time-sensitive projects for your boss yields zero extra dollars for you. Meanwhile, working extra time as a real estate agent can directly lead to more money. It’s you and you alone who controls the money that comes in. And that power may be what’s most enticing about joining the real estate industry. According to Indeed.com, the average real estate agent in a major city makes 35-40% more than the average American job. The responsibilities of a real estate agent are many, but the most important might just be what you give back to your community. Will you be in it for the money or to help your local town? Working as a real estate agent makes you a local expert “matchmaker” who helps people find their perfect home in an area that has exactly what they need. These needs could be things like living in an A+ School District or having a large amount of green space for outdoor activities. Helping people and their families find their next perfect home can be the most gratifying part of the job.  Stuck at a strictly vertical hierarchy at work that requires having the same last name or incriminating photos of the CEO to climb the corporate ladder? As an agent, you don’t have to worry about promotions because you’re already at the top. You alone determine how successful you’re going to be, and will not have to depend on an antiquated structure that limits your growth.   How do I get my Massachusetts Real Estate License? What does Armstrong Field Real Estate Agent Offer to New Agents?