Local couple restores homes in Mercer County

TRANSFER, Pa. (WKBN) – A local couple is taking their passion for real estate and the Shenango Valley and turning it into something positive for the community.

This helps out with the shortage of homes and offers updated affordable housing for families.

Meet Marissa and Michael Foster, a husband and wife duo making it their mission to restore homes in the Shenango Valley.

“What we like to say is we aren’t flipping homes. We’re restoring homes because we truly are. we don’t do this in four to six weeks. We take our time. we’ve owned this home for a year and we’ve been working on it for over six months. So these are truly carefully restored with thoughtful design,” Marissa said.

This home is a 1900s farmhouse in Transfer, a property the couple was drawn to because of its original woodwork and character. Michael draws from his construction background, offering him an understanding of the inner workings of a home.

Marissa draws from her knowledge of the real estate side of things. Their goal is to address the housing shortage and offer modern appealing options.

“We have a lot of buyers that are standing in the background ready to buy wanting to sell their home, but they can’t or they won’t because there’s not a home on the market that either interests them or is affordable to them,” Marissa said.

That’s why when they buy a house to restore. They try to touch everything in the home. From plumbing to HVAC and electrics, everything is brand new.

“We try to do everything we can to make it a maintenance-free home for the new owner,” Michael said.

In doing so, the Fosters hope these restorations give a family a house that’s like a new home, but without that new house price tag. All in an effort to keep and draw families into the area.

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