Real Estate Information

Marsh Madness Open House Tournament starts this weekend!

Sign in for a chance to win a $25 gift card (March 7, 14, 21, 28). Provide your name, e-mail and phone number at any Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services OPEN HOUSE to become eligible. On March 29, all registered OPEN HOUSE attendees are entered to win the Grand Prize of a 32” flat screen TV* and leather reclining chair!**

Ask your Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services real estate agent for an OPEN HOUSE VIP pass.

Open House Schedule

*32” flat screen TV, Retail price $500
**Leather Lane Recliner, provided by Schultz Furniture Superstore. MSRP $899

Homeowner Consequences

Investor's Night hosted by Laban Marsh
Join us this Tuesday at 6pm to enjoy a discussion on Erie’s Real Estate Market and the abundant opportunities available here in Erie. We’ll cover issues on financing, flipping, and the never ending need for good rental property throughout the county. Learn about tax advantages and how to buy a property with equity already available. Meet others who are looking to begin partnerships to build wealth, and share success stories about today’s opportunities.

When: Tuesday, January, 26 at 6pm
Where: Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services • 8840 Peach St. • Erie, PA 16509

If you would like to attend, please e-mail Laban.Marsh@MarshaMarsh.com

Erie, PA – January 20, 2010 – Marsha Marsh and Therese “TJ” Penn of Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services in Erie has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert^® (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance, with a particular emphasis on short sales. At a time when millions of homeowners are struggling with the possibility of foreclosure, the skills and education accumulated by Marsha and TJ will help benefit Erie-area residents and communities.

Short sales allow the distressed homeowner to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even if it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

Today, more than 13 percent of homeowners are delinquent on their mortgage or in the foreclosure process. This is occurring across all price ranges, and the fastest-growing category of homes in foreclosure is the luxury home market.

“The CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with homeowners and lenders on complicated short sales,” said TJ. “It is so rewarding to be able to help families save their homes from foreclosure.”

Alex Charfen, co-founder and CEO of the Distressed Property Institute in Austin, Texas, said that agents such as Marsha and TJ with the CDPE Designation have valuable perspective on the market, and training in short sales that can offer homeowners real alternatives to foreclosure, which can be devastating to credit ratings.

“These experts better understand market conditions than the average agent, and can help sellers through the complications of foreclosure avoidance,” he said.

The Distressed Property Institute provides live and online courses to train real estate professionals how to help homeowners in distress, with a particular emphasis on handling short sales.

“Our goal is to help as many homeowners as possible, by educating as many real estate professionals as possible,” Charfen said. “Marsha and TJ have demonstrated a commitment to the struggling homeowners, and will provide much-needed assistance in stabilizing the community.”

For more information about CDPE Designation, visit www.cdpe.com.

10 reasons to list now during the holidays
with Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services

1. There is less competition for buyers.
2. Winter prospects are more serious buyers.
3. Your home looks better during the holidays.
4. One of the highest percentages of "LISTINGS SOLD" to "LISTINGS TAKEN" occurs during this time of year.
5. You may receive more money for your home now because you have less competition.
6. Throughout the holiday season, you may restrict showings during your personal family events.
7. Buyers have more time to look at homes during the holidays, especially during vacations.
8. January is traditionally the biggest transfer month AND you must be on the market to capture that market.
9. By selling now, you can have a delayed closing or extend occupancy until the beginning of the following year if you want it.
10. You may have fewer actual showings, but more qualified and motivated prospects.
    

If you or someone you know is interested in listing their home this winter, e-mail info@marshamarsh.com and an agent will contact you within 24 hours.

First-time Homebuyers:
E-mail info@marshamarsh.com if you're ready for your first home!

(WALL STREET JOURNAL)
WASHINGTON -- Senate negotiators reached a tentative deal to extend a tax credit for first-time home buyers, but its passage remains uncertain.

The agreement would extend the existing credit for first-time home buyers, worth up to $8,000, while offering a new credit of up to $6,500 for some existing homeowners, Senate aides said. The reduced credit would be available to all home buyers who have been in their current residence for a consecutive five-year period in the past eight years.

The new provisions are aimed at broadening availability of the credit beyond first-time buyers and giving the weakened real-estate market a bigger boost while preventing real-estate investors from benefiting.

Many property experts have cited the credit as a reason for signs of recovery in the housing market in recent months. But that recovery was somewhat undercut by the September drop in new-home sales reported Wednesday.

The credit would be extended from its current expiration date of Dec. 1 to all contracts entered into by April 30, and closed before July 1. It is expected that income limits on people claiming the credit would be increased to $125,000 for singles and $250,000 for couples, from the current $75,000 and $150,000, aides said. The credit phases out for people making more than those amounts.

While Senate lawmakers appear to have reached a deal on the substance of the tax credit, they are still at odds over how it would be brought to the Senate floor. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) hopes to add it to a bill currently on the Senate floor to extend federal unemployment insurance benefits. But agreement on that hasn't been finalized.

While Senate Republicans are likely to support the measure, House Democrats have raised concerns that it carries a high cost to the government. The Internal Revenue Service is examining the program for alleged abuse.

Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page A4

Testimonial from one of Don Johnson's clients

Just wanted to let you know what a great job Don Johnson did in getting our home sold. He really had his work cut out on this one and he came through with flying colors. We had many issues pop up and Don worked through all of them and got the sale through. Don also was a great help in locating a home for us. We love the place we purchased and it fits our criteria perfectly. Kudos to Don for a job well done.   

~ Ken (Chip) & Cheryl Hunt

Want to learn more about Don Johnson? [Learn more]

Nearly 150 United Way supporters turned out for a rally at United Way's offices on Wednesday, October 14. The event marked the halfway point of United Way's campaign and encouraged everyone to redouble their efforts as they work to make the campaign a success.

Interim President Bill Jackson highlighted some of the early successes in the campaign, including the first ever electronic United Way campaign at PNC. Another highlight was Marsha Marsh Real Estate, where in addition to posting photos on their website of their employees in LIVE UNITED t-shirts, they also raised over $1,000 for United Way at a Client Appreciation Party.

Thanks to Jim Martin, 2009 Campaign Chair, and his wife Cheryl for generously underwriting the cost of the event.

(C) United Way of Erie County.

Daylight savings reminder

Turn your clocks back on Sunday, November 1, 2009. Change the battery in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and check your light bulbs for energy efficiency. Switching to energy efficient bulbs in your ceiling fixtures could save you $30 a year per bulb on your electric bill.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling a home, remember Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services for all your real estate needs.