Q:  Denise, I would really like to know more about how to research market statistics to spot trends, but I don’t want it to take a ton of time. What do you recommend?

A:  Good for you! Your first step should be to take a closer look at your MLS. Many MLS’s have either live classes you can take or videos that will show you how to access and download the data contained in there. Take a look at your MLS website right now. Is there a section for classes or help? Don’t be afraid to call them up or march right in, explain what you want and see what they can do to steer you in the right direction. You may even want to see if they have a YouTube channel or see if other agents have figured out some shortcuts and have posted videos of their solutions. Don’t be afraid to dig in and ask for help!