New Marrano Homes from the $150's. Best value in Western New York.

What's New at Marrano

Marrano grand opens Ranch design from the $150,000s.

Where else can you find an open Ranch floor plan, in a popular new home community bordering West Seneca, in this price range? Come see Marrano's new model at Hickory Grove, an affordable design that starts in the $160,000s, and see for yourself. We have not even mentioned all the other incentives that can save you thousands more and bring the price to the $150,000s.  This is a significant event that you do not want to miss.

Marrano's new model shows a versatile plan that is ideal for a variety of lifestyles from singles and first time home buyers, to busy professionals and retirees. The special, limited time grand opening pricing includes $12,000 in free features for the next six sales at Hickory Grove. Even more, home buyers who purchase before February 28 and close on their new home at Hickory Grove by June 30 of this year can choose an additional bonus package worth thousands more. Choices include Corian kitchen counter tops; a Whirlpool appliance package featuring a side by side refrigerator, dishwasher and range; or an energy efficiency package featuring a high efficiency furnace with air cleaner, plus energy-saving CFL light bulbs in the home.

You can then take advantage of the federal government tax credits of up to $8,000 for first time buyers and up to $6,500 for existing owners, and now a new home at Hickory Grove can be built starting in the $150,000s. That includes a new patio home complete with a sprinkler system for front and side yard, landscaping, the front yard sodded and rear yard seeded, the owner does not even need to buy a mailbox --  all features that would normally cost extra.

Visitors to the model grand opening can see firsthand the value Marrano offers at Hickory Grove. Gable roof lines and an inviting, covered front porch give the model great charm and curb appeal that blends perfectly with the quiet surroundings of the community. Inside, Marrano has created a floor plan that is comfortable, convenient, and efficient.   The home features a large kitchen and dinette with plenty of cabinet and counter space, and an eating area overlooking the front porch. The kitchen also features a pass-through to a formal dining area which flows uninterrupted into the great room for an airy feel. This arrangement provides ample room and convenience for entertaining guests and for family gatherings. The great room also has a sliding glass door leading to the rear yard.

The model's master bedroom suite is situated for maximum privacy and configured with a sitting area and large walk-in closet. An adjacent guest bedroom offers easy access to the main bath and also has a walk-in closet. The success of the design centers on the adaptability of the plan to changes in use. For example, the young professional, may find the additional bedroom ideal for a home office. For the empty nester, the space is ideal for visiting children or grandchildren.  There is also a space-saving first floor laundry with stackable washer and dryer, and two-car garage, while the model shows an available powder room.

Hickory Grove offers the carefree lifestyle in a maintenance-free home where tasks such as lawn cutting and snow removal are taken care of for residents by a home owners association.  The home sites are carefully arranged in a private and pleasant setting, away from high traffic thoroughfares, with tranquil ponds, common areas and berms to enhance the sense of neighborhood. At the same time, the location off French Road, just east of Union, couldn't be more convenient with shopping, entertainment, churches and more nearby in Cheektowaga and West Seneca.

Marrano offers other homes with savings similar to the new model design. Visitors to the model can inquire about completed patio homes available for immediate sale, ready to move in as little as 30 to 60 days. In addition, Marrano offers its exclusive Safe & Sold program to assist new home buyers in selling their existing home faster so they can build with confidence.

Visit the grand opening this weekend to take advantage of the limited time grand opening offers. Visit the new model Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 PM, and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 5 PM. Take French Road east of Union in Cheektowaga to Hickory Grove. Call Steve Converse at 608-7674 for more details.

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) - Homeownership Tax Advantages

NAHB: Homeownership Tax Advantages

Buying a home is one of the smartest purchases you can ever make. One reason is that homeownership has many positive tax implications. The three most important sources of tax savings for home owners are the:

• deductions for mortgage interest
• deductions for real estate taxes
• capital gain exclusion for the sale of a principal residence 

The deductions for mortgage interest and real estate taxes reduce the annual cost of homeownership by reducing the home owner’s tax liability each year.  For example, a home owner with $10,000 in annual mortgage interest payments and real estate taxes and who falls in the 25 percent tax bracket could realize up to $2,500 in tax savings each year.  Home owners who itemize their taxes can deduct from taxable income interest allocable to a first or second home for up to $1 million of mortgage debt and $100,000 of home equity loans.  And most state and local taxes paid on homes are also deductible.

When the home is sold, the capital gain exclusion can again provide home owners a tax benefit.  Under present law, sellers of a principal residence can exclude from taxation profits from the sale of a home, up to $500,000 for married taxpayers and $250,000 for single taxpayers.  With capital gain tax rates expected to increase from 15 to 20 percent in coming years, these tax savings can be substantial.

Research by NAHB economists has estimated the tax savings for home owners for certain income and mortgage amounts. For a married couple with an income of $80,000 per year and an initial mortgage amount of $250,000, the tax savings from the mortgage interest and real estate tax deductions are estimated to save the couple more than $11,000 in the first five years of homeownership.  Assuming the couple owns the home for twelve years, these savings grow to more than $25,000 over the time period. Combined with the capital gains exclusion, the total tax savings for the entire period of ownership exceeds $52,000.

For a couple with an income of $60,000 and an initial mortgage of $180,000, the five years tax savings total more than $6,000 and the total savings over a twelve year period are estimated to be more than $33,000.

Combined with the home buyer tax credits available for qualified purchases of principal residences by April 30, 2010--up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers--the tax savings from homeownership make buying a home today a rewarding financial decision. Find out more at www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.

New Marrano Patio Home Model in East Amherst/Clarence!

What's New at Marrano

Marrano kicks off New Year with patio home model opening at Laurel Park in Clarence

A new home building season has begun and Marrano kicks it off in style with the opening of our patio home model at Laurel Park in Clarence, showing a true master bedroom down plan that is open, airy and loaded with upscale features. The new model shows a 2,100 square foot design with more of what we call easy living space to complement the private, gated community at Laurel Park.

The model opening is the first of several planned by Marrano for the new year, and is meant to demonstrate the unique Laurel Park lifestyle experience.

Laurel Park home buyers can have everything they want -- from luxury amenities to enhanced privacy -- and everything they do not, namely lawn maintenance, snow removal and other tasks, Our model takes it a step further in a 3 bedroom and 2.5 bath plan with plenty of open space, arranged for the ultimate in comfort and convenience.

Located at 8059 Laurel Park, the model radiates great curb appeal, with full brick front complemented by gable rooflines and architectural roof shingles. Stepping into the bright, two-story foyer, visitors can immediately sense the upscale character of the home, from the hardwood floors to the volume ceilings.

The hardwood carries into the huge gourmet kitchen where a center island offers a snack bar overhang for casual meals and large windows brighten the eating area, so much so, it could be called a morning room. Plenty of cabinets line the kitchen walls, including a pantry, and more storage is found beneath the center island. A cutaway half wall opens the kitchen to the formal dining area which can easily accommodate any elegant affair.

The dining room flows effortlessly to the great room, the focal point of the plan, with a custom gas fireplace design, plant ledge and soaring ceiling. A full glass door to the right of the fireplace leads to a concrete patio in the backyard where residents can enjoy the privacy of the neighborhood.

The main floor master bedroom suite shows an estate character and is positioned for peace and quiet, including a spacious sitting area. A walk-in closet features the latest in organization with built-ins and plenty of room for his and her wardrobes. The master bath offers the utmost luxury with a cloverleaf-shaped whirlpool tub surrounded by ceramic tile and glass block. A separate glass enclosed shower also has ceramic tile, and there are his and her vanities, including a make-up table. A powder room and mudroom area to the garage finish out the first floor arrangement.

An open staircase leads to a loft area overlooking the great room and foyer, adding another dimension of easy living to the patio home. Shown as a den/study in the model, the space would also be perfect for a TV room, computer area, sewing room or even a home office. Two additional bedrooms and a full bath arranged around the loft are equally comfortable and private, ideally suited for overnight guests or visiting grandchildren.  

Visitors will also note plenty of building activity at Laurel Park, as Marrano nears the closeout phase of the popular community. The sandstone walls of the gated entryway set the tone for an atmosphere of elegance within, where residents enjoy a location like no other, quiet and serene, yet with fine dining, entertainment and Transit Valley Country Club literally just around the corner. Like every Marrano patio home community, a home owners association takes care of maintenance such as snow removal, landscaping and lawn cutting.

The community has been created for maximum privacy with a long, heavily landscaped driveway, lush greenery, berms, and open spaces between sites. Common areas, including a gazebo in a park-like setting, and winding roads with no through access add to the tranquil surroundings. At the same time, the community couldn't be more convenient, close to the quaint Clarence Center and other attractions in the Town of Clarence. Laurel Park offers exclusive Ranch and master bedroom down designs starting in the low $300,000s, with a choice of front exterior elevations ensuring variety within the neighborhood. Home buyers can take advantage of extended Federal tax credits in which existing home buyers may qualify for tax credits up to $6,500.

The model is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 PM as well. You can view available designs and home sites at Laurel Park. Take Transit Road in Clarence, between Roll Road and Clarence Center to Laurel Park. Call Steve Converse at 716-479-3378 for more information or to discuss this and other Marrano Homes.

NAHB: Home Buyer Information: "Opportunity Knocks" Brochure

Learn about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for home buyers in today's market

Homeownership is the American dream, and there may never be a better time to buy than today.

This new brochure from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) describes the many unprecedented opportunities in today's housing market, including ample inventory, attractive pricing, near-record low interest rates, tax incentives and more.

You can find out about:

• how much home owners typically save in federal income taxes in the first five years;
• how the power of leveraging helps you quickly builds household wealth;
• the extended deadline for the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, the new $6,500 credit for repeat buyers and the increased income limits in the legislation enacted on Nov. 6, 2009;
• and more.

Click below to download a PDF version of the Opportunity Knocks Brochure:

NAHB: Home Buyer Information: "Opportunity Knocks" Brochure

It may be cold but Spring has sprung at Marrano

New York statewide November home sales up 34% compared to November 2008

From New York Association of Realtors (NYSAR):

New York statewide November home sales up 34 percent compared to November 2008

Albany – Dec. 22, 2009 – Statewide sales of existing single-family homes in New York State jumped 34 percent in November 2009, compared to November 2008, according to preliminary existing single-family sales data accumulated by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The statewide median sales price rose by 3 percent compared to November 2008.

“While the jump in sales compared to last November is obviously a positive sign for the state housing market, the 5.5-percent increase compared to 2007 indicates a return to a typical November sales level,” said Duncan R. MacKenzie, NYSAR chief executive officer. “This is a strong indicator of the continued recovery of the statewide housing market.”

“The federal first-time homebuyer tax credit continues to drive our housing market,” said MacKenzie. “We anticipate the tax credit extension and expansion to include repeat buyers will continue to aid the recovery of the New York State housing market into next year, particularly in the spring.”

MacKenzie noted that New Yorkers will be additionally aided by the recently announced state Tax Credit Advance Loan program for eligible SONYMA borrowers set to launch on January 1, 2010. “This program will particularly help first-time homebuyers who struggle to save enough money to cover all of New York’s highest-in-the-nation up-front costs of purchasing a home. Many will now be able to close that gap by utilizing the federal homebuyer tax credit at the closing table through the advance loan program.”

New York REALTORS sold 7,424 existing single-family homes in New York State in November 2009, a 34-percent increase compared to the November 2008 total of 5,542. The November 2009 sales total was 5.6-percent below the October 2009 total of 7,866.

The November 2009 median sales price in New York State of $210,000 represents an increase of 3 percent compared to the November 2008 median of $203,950, and is 2.4-percent above the revised October 2009 median of $205,000.

Complete data is available at http://www.nysar.com/content/Press.htm

The New York State Association of REALTORS is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 56,000 of New York State’s real estate professionals. The term REALTOR is a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS. These REALTORS are also members of the New York State Association of REALTORS as well as their local board or association of REALTORS.