Large lot, great location! Hardwood floor exposed in bedrooms, also under carpeting. Area is quiet and close to schools. Fishing at Walnut Creek and golfing. Beautiful landscaping a plus. Must see!

Herb Logan build in wonderful Brentwood Hills. Close to schools and shopping. Side entry garage with entry to lower level. Family room has wood burning fireplace and access to covered patio. Must see!

Three bedroom two full bath Cape Cod in southwest Erie. Fenced deep lot and a beautifully landscaped yard. Newly painted. New wooden blinds. Great dining room and Florida sun room. Great condition. Must see.

Established tavern in Corry Pa. Separate dining area. Fully equipped kitchen. Two men's and one women's restrooms. Garage and upstairs apartment. Liquor license included. Inventory sold separately as per PLCB.

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

Good SE Millcreek location. Single story living at its best. Recently remodeled kitchen with Granite. Many closets and storage. Large rooms, enclosed porch with hot tub. Huge walk out basement. Nice deck. One year home warranty.

Great NW Millcreek location. Home is in excellent condition. Everything is improved outside and in, including fully remodeled kitchen and bath. Large fenced backyard. 1.5 car garage, finished inside. One year home warranty.

Nice Cape in a great neighborhood, within walking distance to the zoo, schools, and YMCA. This spacious home boasts excellent room sizes and a fully applianced kitchen in stainless. Newer windows throughout, and a fenced yard with garage. Exterior is composition.

Great value!  Welcome foyer leading to stairway, formal Dining Room and spacious Great Room featuring a brick fireplace and cathedral ceiling. It is wired for surround sound. Fireplace can burn wood or be used as gas. Kitchen with Dining Area and access to 14' x 14' covered patio. Marble back splash. Exceptional Master Bedroom Suite with two walk-in closets, double basin vanity and jetted tub. Home offers plastered walls & ceilings throughout, casement windows and hardwood & ceramic floors. 2-1/2 car garage with access to finished lower level. Lower level is professionally finished and includes a half bath and flexible living area. All nicely placed on one of the largest lots in the popular subdivision. Includes a basketball court, patio and fire pit.

Meticulous ranch with convenient location on over 5 acres. 2 good 2 be true with 2 large bedrooms, 2 full bathroom, 2 living spaces (both with gas fireplaces), 2 kitchens, and a large 2 car garage.

Perfect for owner occupied or single family living. Garage with work shop. 1.5 baths and 3 bedrooms downstairs, 2 bed apartment upstairs.

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

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.

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.

Pictured above: Projects Administrator Connie Miller, Congresswoman Kathy Dalhlkemper, and Executive Director Patricia Quinn

Download your FREE brochure.

Want to know more about My Father's House of Erie? click here

To find out how else Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services has made a direct impact on our community, visit www.marshamarsh.com/sponsorships

(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]

(C) United Way of Erie County.

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.