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Lancaster, PA Real Estate News

By Brian Schulman, Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552
(Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA)
The Lancaster Museum of Art is currently presenting a wonderful exhibit:  "Where the Wild Things Are:  Maurice Sendak in His Own Words and Pictures".  The Sendak eshibit was brought to the museum through a cooperative effort of the museum and the Library System of Lancaster County, courtesy of the Maurice Sendak Archive, Rosenbach Museum and Library, Philadelphia, PA.  Early manuscripts and rare early edition of Maurice Sedak's books are on display, as will as dramatic room sized posters!  There is an interactive area for kids to play in, as well as a TV muaical show from the 1970s of his work. The exhibit is open thtough Sunday May 18, 2008 at 135 North Lime Street, Lancaster, PA.  Museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm; Sunday 12 pm - 4 pm. Brian Schulman offers expert...
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By Brian Schulman, Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552
(Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA)
On March 19 I wrote a blog about an eighteenth century log cabin in Lancaster, PA that had been slated for demolition, but was now to be dismantled and preserved on another site. If there is any doubt about the exposure that Active Rain blogs get, this should put it to rest.  I was contacted by a man over a thousand miles away in Minnesota, who had spent the first fifteen years of his life in that very house! Not only was Steve Landis kind enough to fill in some of the details of when he and his family lived there, he also found some black and white photos from 1961 which show the later appearance of the house.  They also solve a mystery that was in my mind; namely, what kind of structure had been torn down earlier?  The outline of the structure is apparent in the photo I took.  Look at...
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Well, Manheim Township High School senior prom is over, and a fun night was had by all.  Tears were shed by the parents.  I know that my husband shed a few while helping our son with his tie when he was putting on his tuxedo.  I shed a few while taking these photos.  Seeing my son and his friends all dressed up and "grown up" looking took my breath away.  These are all great kids, and some of them have been friends of his since elementary school (and even pre-school) days. My son and his friends met at a friend's home in Manheim Township's Bent Creek community -- a site fitting for a backyard wedding!  It was lovely seeing all of the kids in their finest.  There were at least 40 - 50 students who gathered at this home to take photos before heading out for a night of fun.   Here are the ...
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Continuing the celebration of Moms everywhere, I thought I would share this great new link with you.  The Lancaster Newspapers recently started a new website just for Moms in Lancaster - LancMoms - where mothers of all ages throughout Lancaster County can get together online.  Here, you can share ideas about daycare, education, advice about child rearing (of all ages, of course!), and find and organize safe and fun activities for the kids and the family. It seems to be a very new site, but already seems to be a hit.  You can read the Newspaper arcile about it here.   And of course, if you are a Lancaster Mom and are looking for a new home for your family, contact me directly for a no-obligation consultation about how I can help meet your family's needs.  Email me at KontisHomes@aol.com ...
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There are some fabulous buys right now for Manheim Township homes for sale.  If you are looking for a home in Milton Estates, Laurel Pond or Wellsley Manor, there are a number of new and resale properties that are available.  These communities are a quick commute to major roads, shopping and Manheim Township Schools.  For additional Manheim Township information and homes for sale in Manheim Township, or to register for a free MLS search, feel free to visit http://manheimtownshiphomes.jeanniekontis.com .  On a personal note, I live in Milton Estates and I love it here.  Stauffers of Kissel Hill and the Shoppes at Kissel Hill are just a hop, skip and a jump away.  My boys attended Reidenbaugh Elementary, which is conveniently very close by (which makes it easy to deliver forgotten lunch b...
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Manheim Township High School is having it's Senior Prom next Saturday.  My son's tux has been ordered, but he has yet to order a corsage for his date.  The stretch Hummer limo has been ordered (these kids think "they're all that" and more).  I can't believe it's here already ~ the day youngest attends his senior prom.  Where has the time gone?  How have these years passed so quickly?  It seems like just yesterday that I was taking this little boy to preschool at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, where he insisted on wearing his Sonic the hedgehog costume nearly every day while I enjoyed a few hours of freedom.  Wow, I'm stunned. It dawned on my last night that since I have completely forgotten how quickly Prom was coming up, I also forgot about the Walk Down Memory Lane that is being organiz...
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I guess it's finally my turn to post about the Seniorita Burrita Lancaster Blogorama that I recently attended with Brian Schulman and Jeff Geoghan.  You could say that it was a Board of Directors meeting with the Lancaster ActiveRain Real Estate bloggers in attendance (yes, the entire whopping three of us).  I haven't been there in quite a while, and had a hard time deciding on what to order.  I finally settled on the Mama Foster burrito, which I had ordered as a salad option instead (a girl knows how to avoid messy eating!).  The Mama Foster is made of southwestern chiciken, tomato basil rice, black beans, Seniorita house salso and sour cream, and of course this Greek girls favorite, feta cheese, mixed with salad greens instead of rolled up.  As a burrito, it would come wrapped in a ro...
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By Brian Schulman, Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552
(Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA)
This spring has produced a magnificent crop of cherry blossoms!  I have always been fond of cherry blossoms ever since as a small child I played under the canopy of pink trees in front of my parents' home. The problem with cherry blossoms is how fragile they are.  They bloom in late April and early May for only a few weeks, and then are blown away by the wind and rain. As I walked in Musser Park in Lancaster, PA today, I saw a beautiful tree with many of its blossoms still intact.  The wind and storms of the last few days have made many of Lancaster's streets and sidewalks a lovely pink with a carpet of petals - but only for a day or two. The sidewalk beneath this tree was a carpet of pink, and I decided to try to preserve the moment...
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A new proposal for a State House Bill targets unscrupulous home builders in Pennsylvania who never deliver on their promises.  The Bill proposes that homebuilders would have to pay $300 each year, funding the New Home Builder Guaranty Fund, and register with the PA State Attorney General's office.  The intention is to keep customers from losing deposit funds paid to builders who in turn never build the agreed-upon home. The Bill has been drafted by Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus from Lackawanna County, in response to an upcoming trial focused on a consumer who had been ripped off by a builder, accused of taking a deposit and never building the home, bilking the consumer out of $50,000.  The Bill, known as the New Home Construction Consumer Protection Act, would require that the registration...
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By Brian Schulman, Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552
(Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA)
Yup, that's right - the Second Lancaster, PA Real Estate Bloggers Summit tied its previous attendance record.  That is to say, all three of the Charter Members were there - myself, Jeff Geoghan, and Jeannie Kontis! We met on April 29 at Senorita Burrita, a trendy cafe in the heart of downtown Lancaster.  Jeff had eaten there a number of times before, but for me it was the first time.  I was amazed at the size of the customizable burritos - truly a two-handed affair!  Makes the Whopper look like an appetizer... There have been a couple of major real estate franchise changes in Lancaster County recently.  Homesale Services Group has switched from Coldwell Banker to Prudential, and Realty Select has acquired the Coldwell franchise.  That really spurred the conversations as we talked about ...
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"I don't need an agent to find a house".   This seems to be the general opinion if you are a Lancaster real estate buyer, and you are absolutely right.  You don't need an agent to find a house.  With trulia, zillow, craigslist, realtor.com and a host of other Lancaster MLS Search and IDX real estate listing sites, not to mention virtual and video tours available at the click of a mouse, you really DON"T need a real estate agent to FIND a house.    But, that's not what I'm here for.  I know you can find a house.  Especially in this market, with a plethora of open houses every weekend, with technology at your fingertips, with so many Lancaster County houses available for sale.   I'm here to help you BUY a house -- not just FIND one.  Who do you trust with one of the greatest purchases of ...
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By Jeff R. Geoghan, REALTOR, Marketing Manager
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
In honor of Tax Day I researched the year-to-date sales stats for Manheim Township, one of our popular destinations here in Lancaster County PA.  Homes for sale in Manheim Township historically have sold well, and many in-demand neighborhoods such as Grandview Heights, BelAir, Cobblestone Court and Wetherburn are situated in Manheim Township.  More recently, building pressures have started to put the "squeeze" on open space in Manheim Township, and new listing prices have continued to climb accordingly.  Here's the summary: Year-to-date, there are about the same amount of new listings, with a 9% increase in initial listing price.  Unfortunately, the average sale price declined by 11%!  Sold homes are down 22% over last year to date.  Pending sales are down too, by 16%, and average days-...
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By Jeannie Kontis
I saw a squirrel chasing a nut across the street yesterday, and somehow it struck me as quite ironic.  I've admitted before that I hate squirrels (and yes, hate is a strong word), but I was too amused with the scene to think about putting the pedal to the metal and making roadkill out of him.  No, I would never really do that, and I found myself slowing down to let him cross, as I watched, amused.Who am I to put the brakes on his goals?  It was quite funny because this nut was rolling down the hilly street, and this poor squirrel kept catching up, before it would get away from him again.What struck me as ironic is the fact that we are all - squirrels and humans alike - chasing something.  It might be a dream, it might be a goal, it might be the basic pursuit of happiness.  But at what p...
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Looking for something to do on a beautiful Spring Day in Lancaster County?  Why not go "downtown".   By visiting www.onlydowntown.org you can find information on exciting community happenings in local "downtown" Lancaster County communities such as:   Lancaster City Ephrata Mount Joy Manheim Elizabethtown These "downtown" boros have banded together to bring us http://www.onlydowntown.org/, a website and organization dedicated to bringing together not only communities that are some of the oldest established communites in America, but current thriving communities as well. The Lancaster County Downtown Consortium promotes the uniqueness and attractions of our local "downtown" centers, not only to tourists and those relocating to the area, but to local residents, as well.  There is nothing ...
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By Jeff R. Geoghan, REALTOR, Marketing Manager
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
BelAir is a large Manheim Township community of single family homes nestled in alongside a busy stretch of offices, restaurants and stores in the heart of Manheim Township.  Fruitville Pike, one of the main routes out of Lancaster City northbound, borders BelAir on it's eastern side.  A second development nearby is called BelAir North; the divider is Delp Road. Both areas of BelAir saw construction starting in the late 1960's with the larger community being built throughout the 70's and into the 80's.  BelAir North is primarily late 1980's and even a couple of 90's homes, but not many.  Homestyles are typical 1980's bilevels, "two-stories", split levels and a sprinkling of ranchers.  Square footage would range from 1300 to 2000 when first built.  Since these homes are now approaching 25...
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What has 1,000 windows, is as long as an airplane carrier, and was once as smooth as silk? It's the old Stehli Silk Mill in Manheim Township, which has stood on it's Martha Avenue location in the Grandview Heights area since it's heyday in 1900.  Once a thriving silk mill, where over 2,000 men and women worked among this huge building and its future additions, it now sits as a derelict, old warehouse, waiting for its rebirth.  And, that might be coming soon.Recently, the building has been sold to a York County developer and partner, who plan on revitalizing the property.  In line with the redevelopment that is going on in Lancaster City, this building will be a fine addition to the growth that Lancaster City and the surrounding areas have been experiencing.  I drive by this massive stru...
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I could have sold a listing today, only the buyer and seller could not see eye to eye regarding "seller's assistance" .  The seller just couldn't believe that the buyer would ask for such a huge amount towards closing costs, and can't justify paying it out of her pocket for someone who does not have the cash to purchase the home of their choice.  I have to admit that I agreed with her.  This home was just listed recently -- a very nice, well-cared for home, and most importantly it is priced accordingly.  Imagine our surprise when we saw the amount of seller's assistance that the buyer wanted.  Now, I know how the ballgame works, and sometimes there is no harm in asking for seller's assistance. Let's play ball!  But, when the home has been on the market for just over a week, there is alm...
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By Jeff R. Geoghan, REALTOR, Marketing Manager
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Lancaster City Living, our local city living advocate and information source, released their Spring/Summer issue of Lancaster City Living Magazine last week.  This magazine is unique in that it brings together many of the great things Lancaster City residents love in one place - the restaurants, galleries, attractions, theatres, neighborhoods and much more.  I like this magazine because it puts the whole city down on paper for my homebuyer clients to study, which helps me immensely when I have to explain the different areas and markets within the city limits.Lancaster City Living has had an eventful first year under the able leadership of Michael Sprunger.  An offshoot of Tabor Community Services, Lancaster City Living has focused from the beginning on improving the home ownership situa...
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By Brian Schulman, Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552
(Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA)
The City of Lancaster, PA has been undergoing a renaissance for the past several years.  I have written about the Lancaster County Convention Center, the Lancaster Fall Art Walk,  the Eastern Market,  First Friday in Lancaster, PA, Musser Park, and many other aspects of the County Seat of Lancaster County. Last Fall, Lancaster City Living was created.  This organization, formed to improve homeownership in the City of Lancaster, is composed of three facets.First of all, a website was created as a resource for anyone wanting information about the history, cultural opportunities, restaurants, and residences of the city.Second, a physical "storefront" has been located at the Eastern Market, 308 East King Street, where local information may be obtained.Third, a new glossy magazine has been c...
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By Brandon Clark, GRI,ABR, CSP, REALTOR
(Gateway Realty Inc)
I had the great honor to be one of 11 people selected in the state of Pennsylvania to participate in The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors Leadership Class 2007. "Recognizing that leadership development is an essential element in the process of improving our Association and profession, the Pennsylvania Association ofREALTORS® offers its LeadershipPAR Program. Through this program, the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® identifies emerging REALTOR® leaders throughout the state, encourages them with timely, meaningful instruction and activities, and assists in developing their leadership skills in the hope they will exert a strong,positive influence on the future of the Association and profession. The participants work together in a training course that combines individual study, gr...
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