Michelle Bettencourt’s real estate philosophy is straightforward: The glass is half full.

“Regardless of the ‘state’ of the real estate market, every transaction has a silver lining,” says the realtor. “If you’re the buyer, you have the home you’ve always wanted. If you’re the seller, you’ve sold a house that no longer fits your needs and are moving to one that does.”

“The next time, those roles will be reversed.”

After 6 years as a Realtor, Michelle has seen that scenario play out time and time again. “The bonus to maintaining a positive attitude is that in the event of an ‘issue’ all parties seem more readily able to find solutions that benefit everyone,” she adds.

A graduate of UMass Amherst with a BBA in Finance, Michelle finds that her ability to explain the sometimes complex real estate transaction process clearly is an excellent counterbalance to the emotional aspects of buying or selling a house. “Helping people ‘get’ to where they want to be can be fun for everyone—I certainly enjoy it—but the key is to make sure everyone understands what is happening at all times.”

“Clients can reach out to me at any time they have a question or concern especially when an issue develops,” she adds. “I am a firm believer that every problem has a solution and I work until I find it.”

Michelle, a Beverly native, now lives in Salem. "It is the greatest place to live and work. I love these small cities, the people here care deeply about their community and talking care of each other. I just feel lucky to be a tiny part of it."

“Michelle was our rock, and thanks to her, we closed on our house today. Not only did she sell our condo for way over asking, but she did so within 8 hours of our first open house. She clearly knows the market. Not only did she help us sell our condo, she also found us the home of our dreams. And let me tell you, that was an accomplishment. Her commitment is unyielding. We had sold our condo just before covid-19 warnings began. We needed to find a house, quick. After seeing how much competition we had out there, we suffered a few let downs. She was supportive and caring through our disappointment as her determination grew. She knew us and our taste so well that she knew, as soon as we did, when we found the house worth fighting for. She guided us through the terms of our offer and we were in! Our home inspection was scheduled right as the guidelines for social distancing were developing. From then on, learning as she went, she applied all new regulations and guidelines without batting an eye. While she continued to support us from a distance, she was missed today. If we ever choose to move again, she’s the only person I’m willing to work with. But, thanks to her, I don’t think we ever will.”

— Jennessa & Charles Parker