ARMSTRONG FIELD REAL ESTATE BLOG
How Do Real Estate Commissions Work Now?

North Shore Real Estate Explained How Do Real Estate Commissions Work Now? The rules around who pays commissions changed in 2024 — but not in the way most headlines make it sound. Here's what actually happens now, for buyers and sellers on the North Shore. Aug. 17, 2024 When the New Rules Took Eff
Read MoreLiving in Beverly, MA: A Local's Guide to All Eight Neighborhoods

North Shore Living Guide Living in Beverly, Massachusetts: A Local's Guide to Every Neighborhood I grew up one town over in Danvers, lived in Salem for thirty years, and now call North Beverly home. Here's an honest look at Beverly's eight neighborhoods, the real commute picture, and what buyers and
Read MoreMoving Up? 6 Questions to Ask Before You Upsize on the North Shore

Move-Up Buyers · North Shore, MA Moving Up? 6 Questions to Ask Before You Fall in Love With a Bigger Home A practical guide for Massachusetts North Shore homeowners weighing whether — and when — to upsize. 2 Transactions Happening at Once 6 Questions Every Upsizer Should Ask 1 Plan That Covers Both
Read MoreWhat Do Appraisal Condition Ratings C1–C5 Actually Mean?

North Shore MA Home Sellers & Buyers What Do Appraisal Condition Ratings C1–C5 Actually Mean — And Can They Sink Your Financing? A plain-English guide to how appraisers grade your home's condition, and why it matters more than most buyers and sellers on the North Shore realize. C1–C6 Full UAD Condit
Read MoreCan AI Really Replace Your Real Estate Agent?

North Shore Real Estate Can AI Really Replace Your Real Estate Agent? What ChatGPT, Zestimates, and automated valuation tools get right — and where they run into trouble on the North Shore's historic and coastal housing stock. 91% Sellers who used an agent 5% FSBO sales — all-time low $65K Median pr
Read MoreHow to Price a North Shore MA Home in a Shifting Market

Pricing Your North Shore Home: Why You Should Price to Tomorrow's Market, Not Yesterday's Comps A practical guide for sellers navigating a Massachusetts market that's still strong — but changing If you've talked to a neighbor who sold their house on the North Shore a year ago, you probably heard som
Read MoreAI in Real Estate: What It Means for North Shore Buyers & Sellers

North Shore Massachusetts Real Estate AI in Real Estate: What It Actually Means for North Shore Buyers and Sellers Home value estimates, chatbots, AI-written listings — the tools are everywhere. Here's what's genuinely useful, what to be careful of, and where a local agent still earns their keep. 3–
Read MoreSelling a Historic Home in Essex County: What Buyers Ask (and What Sellers Should Know First)

Historic Homes · Essex County, MA Selling a Historic Home in Essex County: What Buyers Ask (and What Sellers Should Know First) A straight-talk guide for owners of pre-1900 homes in Salem, Beverly, Danvers, and across the North Shore — from an agent who also teaches this material. 25+ Years in North
Read MoreNorth Shore Downsizing Guide | Is Now a Good Time to Downsize?

North Shore Downsizing Guide Is Now a Good Time to Downsize? A straightforward look at timing, market conditions, and what actually matters when you're thinking about a smaller home on the North Shore. 36 Days Avg. Days on Market (Sold) 102.2% Sale Price vs. List Price +19% Single-Family Inventory
Read MoreBeverly Cove & Lynch Park Flood Zones: A Homeowner's Guide

Flood Zones, Flood Insurance, and the Future of Beverly Cove & Lynch Park What waterfront and near-waterfront homeowners in these two Beverly neighborhoods should actually know — separating real news from rumor. If you own a home near Beverly Cove or Lynch Park, or you're thinking about buying one
Read MoreBeverly, MA Real Estate Market Update — July 2026

src below for the resulting cdn.chime.me URL. ===================================================== --> North Shore Market Watch What's Actually Happening in Beverly's Housing Market Right Now A grounded look at pricing, inventory, and pace of sales in Beverly, MA — straight from the current data, n
Read MoreWhat the 21st Century Housing Act Means for North Shore Buyers & Sellers

Real Estate News · June 2026 Congress Just Passed the Biggest Housing Bill in Two Decades. Here's What It Means for You. A plain-English breakdown of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act — and what it could mean for buyers, sellers, and homeowners on Massachusetts' North Shore. Home › Blog › 21st Ce
Read MoreThe Ultimate Pre-Listing Checklist - Get Your North Shore Home Ready to Sell

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Read MoreNavigating the Salem Real Estate Market: Pricing & Trends

Navigating the Salem Real Estate Market: Pricing & Trends What buyers and sellers in Salem, MA need to understand right now — from a REALTOR® who has worked this market for 25 years. $700K Median Sale PriceYear to Date 2026 1.6 mo. Housing Inventory Supply Multiple Offers on Hot Properties 79/100 Co
Read MoreThe Art of Timing: When Is the Golden Hour to Sell Your Home?

North Shore Market Insights The Art of Timing: When Is the Golden Hour to Sell Your Home? Twenty-five years of selling homes on the North Shore has taught me one truth: timing matters — but probably not in the way you've been told. By Jim Armstrong, Armstrong Field Group · Beverly, MA 25+ Years
Read MoreWhen to Lower Your Asking Price — And How to Avoid Needing To

Home › Blog › When to Lower Your Asking Price Seller Advice · North Shore Massachusetts When to Lower Your Asking Price — And How to Avoid Needing To The price you set on day one has more influence on your outcome than almost any other decision you'll make as a seller. Here's what happens when you g
Read MoreDon't Wait for Perfect Conditions - North Shore Real Estate Advice for the Second Half of 2026

Home › Blog › Don't Wait for Perfect Conditions Market Insights Don't Wait for Perfect Conditions North Shore Real Estate Advice for the Second Half of 2026 | Jim Armstrong, Armstrong Field Group at Aluxety Real Estate I've been selling homes on the North Shore since 2000, and one thing has been c
Read MoreBest Home Upgrades Before Selling: Highest ROI, Biggest Wastes, and What to Do Instead

Seller's Guide · North Shore MA Best Home Upgrades Before Selling: Highest ROI, Biggest Wastes, and What to Do Instead Not every dollar you put into your home comes back at closing — and some improvements actually cost you money. Here's how to spend smart before you list.By Jim Armstrong · Armstro
Read MoreAre Home Appraisals Coming in Below Sale Price in Massachusetts? (2026 Update)

Are Home Appraisals Coming in Below Sale Price in Massachusetts? (2026 Update) If you’ve been following the Massachusetts real estate market, you’ve probably heard the question: “Are homes still appraising at the contract price?” The short answer:Sometimes—but it’s not widespread. The longer answer
Read MorePreparing Your Beverly Home for Showings

Ready to Shine: Preparing Your Beverly Home for Showings Your decision to sell your Beverly home is a big one, and now comes the crucial stage: showcasing its best features to potential buyers. First impressions are everything in real estate, and a well-prepared home can significantly impact the off
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Categories
- All Blogs 204
- Beverly, MA 14
- Buying a Home 98
- Condos For Sale 7
- Danvers, MA 2
- Estates & Inherited Homes 3
- Gloucester, MA 1
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- Home Sellers Guide 20
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- Salem, MA 15
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