By Referral Only · DRE #01052375
Broker / Realtor
The Real Estate Slayer · Slaying Your Homeownership Demons Since 1989
With over 35 years of fearless advocacy, Marsia Powers doesn't just sell homes — she protects dreams, slays predatory practices, and fights for every client like a dog with a bone.
The Book
A memoir of resilience, hard-won wisdom, and fierce client advocacy — told through the stories of a mother's lasting legacy, a father's quiet courage, and 35 years of high-stakes real estate battles won for buyers and sellers across Southern California.
Growing up in the Bronx during the Great Depression, my mother, Sally, learned early on about the importance of resilience and making the most of what you have. As a first-generation American born to immigrant parents from Europe, she witnessed firsthand the struggles of building a new life in a new country. Those early experiences shaped her into the nurturing, protective force that would guide my own life and, ultimately, my approach to real estate.
Sally's parenting style was rooted in an unwavering belief that her child could be anything she wanted to be. From my toddler years until her passing, she offered consistent support and encouragement. "It was always a positive," I recall, reflecting on her steadfast faith in my potential. This foundational belief that she instilled in me is something I now pass on to every buyer and seller I work with. I want them to know that their dreams of homeownership or selling for the right price are achievable, no matter their starting point.
When I think about the values and principles my mother lived by, two words immediately come to mind: protection and support. She believed in treating everyone well, but she also taught me the importance of not accepting mistreatment from others. It's a delicate balance that I strive to maintain in my real estate practice today. I protect my clients' interests fiercely, but I also treat everyone in the transaction with respect and fairness.
One of my fondest childhood memories illustrates my mother's creative approach to education. I learned to read at the age of two, not from traditional primers but from comic books. Math skills came through playing cards with her and my grandmother. Sally didn't wait for school or someone else to teach me — she took matters into her own hands, making learning a fun, engaging process.
This early experience has profoundly influenced how I approach real estate transactions with my clients. Buying or selling a home can be daunting, especially for first-timers. But I strive to make it an enjoyable journey, much like how my mother turned learning into play. Whether it's someone's first home purchase or their fifth, I bring a sense of lightness and joy to the process.
Despite our family's financial struggles, my mother went to great lengths to ensure I never felt the weight of our poverty. She would speak privately with school principals and teachers, advocating for my participation in after-school programs and educational opportunities. Her determination to give me a better life than she had known drove her to create a childhood for me that was rich in experiences, if not in material wealth.
I often find myself saying, "Excuse me, but I'm channeling my mother right now." What I mean is that I'm taking on that protective, nurturing role that Sally embodied. I want my clients to be in a good financial and life situation, not just for the immediate transaction but for years to come.
My mother's relationship with money provides a poignant lesson that I now share with my clients. Near the end of her life, she used a phrase that still haunts me: "I had outlived my money." This stark reality has driven me to be proactive in helping my clients plan for their financial futures.
"In the end, my mother's greatest gift wasn't financial wealth or material possessions. It was the unwavering belief that I could overcome any obstacle, achieve any goal, and create a life of purpose and meaning. That's the legacy I strive to pass on to every client I serve."
When I think about the man who shaped me into the real estate professional I am today, my mind immediately goes to Jesse, the father who chose me. You see, my biological father passed away when I was just three months old. My mother moved us back to New York, and it wasn't until she remarried that I truly understood what it meant to have a father figure in my life.
Jesse came into my life when I was young, and he made the conscious decision to adopt me when I was ten years old. It wasn't just a legal formality; it was a commitment that would shape the course of my life and, ultimately, my career in real estate.
Jesse's core value was clear: don't put up with anyone's nonsense. One of his most memorable lessons was about dealing with bullies. He didn't just teach me how to defend myself; he instilled in me the importance of standing up for others. "When your friends are being bullied," he'd say, "you don't stand back. You jump in with both feet and both fists, and I'll back you no matter what happens."
Jesse's approach to authority was nuanced. He believed in respecting knowledge but wasn't afraid to challenge the status quo. "Respect the police," he'd say, "but they're not always right." In January 1995, I started doing buyer brokerage, treating buyers with the same level of dedication as sellers. This wasn't the industry norm at the time, but I knew it was the right thing to do.
Jesse was a civil rights advocate before the term was widely used. In the 1950s and 1960s, when racial tensions were high, Jesse treated everyone with respect, regardless of their color or background. This commitment to equality has profoundly shaped my approach to real estate. When you work with me, your race, gender, sexual orientation, or background doesn't matter. What matters is your dream.
"When you work with me, you're not just getting an agent — you're getting someone who will stand tall for you, fight for your interests, and empower you to achieve your real estate dreams."
Life has a funny way of leading you down unexpected paths. If you had told me back when I was working as a locksmith that I'd end up in real estate, I probably would have laughed. But here I am, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Eugene and I had found what we thought was our dream home. The escrow company told us to demand a walk through — and those four words led to a shocking discovery. Our two-story townhouse was completely flooded. Our agent told us, "Be grateful I got you $5,000 because you bought it as-is." I was stunned. That experience lit a fire in me and eventually led me to real estate.
In November 1989, I took the plunge and got my real estate license. The market crashed just a year later — but I was either too stubborn or too determined to give up. I stuck it out through those hard times, always remembering how I felt when I was on the other side of the transaction.
I entered this field with three core principles: truthfulness, honesty, and protection. Truthfulness means telling my clients they have options. Honesty means telling them the good and the bad. And protection means looking out for their best interests, even when it's not the easiest path.
"When you work with me, you're getting someone who understands the importance of security, both physical and financial — someone who's been on both sides of a bad deal and is committed to ensuring you never experience that."
In this business, challenges are as common as doorknobs. But I think they're fun. When most people run from conflict, I run towards it — because that's where the real magic happens.
Recently, I worked with a young couple so committed to buying their first home that they moved in with their parents to save money. We found a beautiful condo in Santa Clarita Valley. Then problems started popping up like weeds. The HOA management company refused to provide information Fannie Mae required. The listing agent was doing the bare minimum. Every single day, I was on the phone, negotiating, pushing, prodding. It took three weeks longer than it should have, but we got that loan approved — and secured an additional $16,760 credit towards my buyers' closing costs.
F — Frame the problem.
I — Identify the real issue.
X — Explore the options.
When something unexpected pops up, my default setting isn't panic. It's simply: "Okay, so how do I fix this?"
Every problem solved is a victory. And when I fix a problem, I've been known to exclaim, "I win!" — because that's exactly what it is.
A friend of mine once gave me a superhero name. She called me "Facilitation Woman" because, in her words, "Marsia can make everything happen." At first, I laughed it off, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized she was onto something.
When I say fearlessness, I don't mean recklessness or bravado. I'm talking about a deep-seated lack of fear that allows me to face any challenge head-on. I'm not afraid to talk to anyone about anything — strangers, people in positions of power, anyone in between. Starting buyer brokerage in 1995 was a radical move. The owner of my company didn't like it. But I wasn't scared to go against the grain because I knew it was the right thing to do.
Range is the ability to connect with and understand people from all walks of life — to adapt my approach to any situation. Every client is unique, with their own dreams, fears, and circumstances. My range allows me to truly understand and connect with each one, finding creative solutions and unexpected opportunities that others might miss.
Justice is about doing what's right, even when it's not easy or profitable. I always put my client's interests first. I'm not in this business just to make a quick commission. I won't use underhanded tactics — I strive for win-win solutions that leave everyone feeling satisfied.
"If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do. With this power trilogy guiding my actions, I'm ready to help you achieve your real estate goals and make a positive impact along the way."
This chapter distills the lessons from my entire life and career into ten powerful truths that directly benefit you. These aren't platitudes — they're a roadmap to success in real estate.
"These ten truths aren't just the principles of a real estate practice. They're the principles of a life lived with intention, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the people I serve."
The Power Trilogy
What makes Marsia different isn't just experience — it's the combination of three rare qualities that work together to deliver results no ordinary agent can match.
Not recklessness — a deep, innate lack of fear forged in childhood and honed over 35 years. Marsia will confront stubborn sellers, challenge unfair appraisals, question lender requirements, and stand up to predatory practices — without flinching.
From immigrant grandparents to boardrooms, from locksmithing to real estate brokerage — Marsia's life has given her the ability to connect authentically with anyone. That range means creative solutions, unexpected opportunities, and a negotiating flexibility others simply don't have.
A moral compass, not a marketing line. Marsia will tell you to wait, to save more, to walk away — even when it costs her a commission. Because doing right by you, long-term, is the only kind of real estate she practices.
Wisdom in Action
Real estate education doesn't have to be intimidating. Marsia makes complex concepts clear, engaging, and even enjoyable.
Every stage of your transaction — from first offer to closing — Marsia is fiercely watching your back, your finances, and your future.
A rejected offer isn't a failure. It's data. Marsia uses every "no" to reassess, pivot, and find a better path to your goal.
Marsia will have the tough financial conversations — the ones most agents avoid — because your long-term wellbeing matters more than any single deal.
Appraisals can be wrong. Lenders can be unreasonable. Marsia respects the system and isn't afraid to push back when the system is wrong.
Your background, identity, and circumstances don't define the quality of service you receive. Every client gets the same fierce, equal dedication.
Like a dog with a bone — relentless, creative, and always focused on the best possible outcome for you, even when deals get complicated.
Every obstacle in a transaction is a problem to be solved — often leading to better outcomes than the original plan.
You are not a commission check. Marsia's commitment to your success extends well beyond closing day.
"If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do." Marsia demonstrates her commitment deal after deal.
Marsia stands out as one of the most dedicated and principled individuals I've encountered in over two decades of coaching real estate professionals. Her commitment to her clients and her profession is truly exemplary.
— Joe Stumpf, Founder, By Referral OnlyAbout Marsia
Marsia Powers entered real estate in 1989 — not through a conventional path, but through firsthand experience of being taken advantage of as a buyer. That fire never went out. Today, her practice is built on truth, protection, and the kind of courageous conversations most agents won't have.
Get In Touch
Whether you're buying, selling, or simply need the honest advice most agents won't give you — Marsia is ready to fight for you.
