Tips for Buying in a Tight Market

Increase your chances of getting your dream house in a competitive housing market, and lower your chances of losing out to another buyer.

1. Get prequalified for a mortgage. You’ll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and your offer will be more desirable to the seller.

2. Stay in close contact with your real estate agent to find out about the newest listings. Be ready to see a house as soon as it goes on the market — if it’s a great home, it will go fast.

3. Scout out new listings yourself. Look at Web sites such as REALTOR.com, browse your local newspaper’s real estate section, and drive through the neighborhood to spot For Sale signs. If you see a home you like, write down the address and the name of the listing agent. Your real estate agent will schedule a showing.

4. Be ready to make a decision. Spend a lot of time in advance deciding what you must have in a home so you won’t be unsure when you have the chance to make an offer.

5. Bid competitively. You may not want to start out offering the absolute highest price you can afford, but don’t go too low to get a deal. In a tight market, you’ll lose out.

6. Keep contingencies to a minimum. Restrictions such as needing to sell your home before you move or wanting to delay the closing until a certain date can make your offer unappealing. In a tight market, you’ll probably be able to sell your house rapidly. Or talk to your lender about getting a bridge loan to cover both mortgages for a short period.

7. Don’t get caught in a buying frenzy. Just because there’s competition doesn’t mean you should just buy it. And even though you want to make your offer attractive, don’t neglect inspections that help ensure that your house is sound.

Begin your home search on MarshaMarsh.com today!

Reprinted from REALTOR® magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

• Owner’s manuals and warranties for appliances left in the house.
• Garage door opener.
• Extra sets of house keys.
• A list of local service providers — the best dry cleaner, yard service, plumber, etc.
• Code to the security alarm and phone number of the monitoring service if not discontinued.
• As a courtesy, you could provide numbers to the local utility companies.
• If it’s a condo, leave information on how to contact the condo board.

As a team and family business, Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services is changing the face of real estate in Erie. By consistently surpassing goals of real estate transactions, they continue to work hard to make Erie the best place to live.

Marsha Marsh Real Estates Services value's their clients and make them their  #1 priority and they are proud to say that approximately 86 percent of their business originates from “word of mouth” and referrals. Their reputation for excellent service and honest hard work helps to consistently surpass their goals each year. "It’s rewarding to work as a family with our independent agents," Marsha commented, "helping clients with their real estate needs, purchases and sometimes just questions about the “shifting” market conditions. It is a real “team” effort." 

Let Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services be “Your trusted advisors in buying and selling real estate in Erie County.”

Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services proudly supports
the United Way of Erie County.

United Way of Erie County plays a unique role both as a leader in the health and human services sector and as a major resource to the community. This bond of trust goes far beyond legal or regulatory requirements to include our core values and ethics. Invest in your community. Give to United Way. United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. These are the building blocks for a good life – a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health.

Marsha serves as a member of the Campaign Cabinet: Resource Department – a cabinet dedicated in helping increase financial support for the 2010 United Way Campaign and enthusiastically advance the mission of improving lives and building a stronger community.

Help Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services in raising $10,000 by making a donation to the United Way of Erie County.

Drop off or mail your donation to:
Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services
C/O: United Way
8840 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16509

Families helping families, Friends helping friends.
Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services are committed to supporting Erie County’s communities. Making contributions towards research, education, community services, are just a few of the many ways Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services help improve the lives in the community.

Begin your home search on MarshaMarsh.com today!

Register today and join Presenting Sponsor, Marsha Marsh, at the March of Dimes 17th Annual Signature Chef’s Auction on Nov. 1, 2010.

Enjoy the Tasting Extravaganza, Silent Auction, and Live Auction to raise much-needed funds in the fight to give every baby a healthy start. This unique and fun dining experience – where top local chefs present their signature dishes in a tasting format – has raised more than $114 million for the March of Dimes since the first Signature Chef’s Auction in 1989. Register today by visiting MarshaMarsh.com!

Families helping families, Friends helping friends.
Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services are committed to supporting Erie County’s communities. Making contributions towards research, education, community services, are just a few of the many ways Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services help improve the lives in the community.

Begin your home search on MarshaMarsh.com today!

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.