It's finally here! We are now accepting agreements for Parkfield Phase 2, one of the very few communities left in Lancaster County that offers breathtaking views and 76 lots that range from 1/3 acre upto 1.3 Acres! 55 Lots SOLD OUT in 3.5 years. Will you be the next to own a home in this exclusive Horst & Son community? More more information contact BRANDON CLARK at 717-735-3544 OR COME VISIT US SUNDAY 1:30-4:30, MONDAY 3:30-5:30 and TUESDAY 3:30-5:30. COME BUILD YOUR HOME WITH US TODAY!                                                                                                                                                            08/09/2007

On Saturday, September 8, 2007 Manheim Township will be celebrating its 17th annual Manheim Township Community Day Celebration at the Overlook Community Campus.  This even was first held in 1990, and has been growing every year with new events and activities scheduled.  This year, the events include:Elementary "Run for Fitness" Fun Run - for children in grades 1 through 6 starting at 9AM.Antique Appraisal - 9AM - 3PM - What if that antique Chinese Vase found in the attic of your Lancaster Historic Home is a valuable antique!  Bring it in and find out!Music - 10AM - 1PM - provided by "Legacy".  Put on your Boogie Shoes!Kanine Karnival - 10AM - 2PM - Held at the Overlook Dog Park, this event will be hosted by the Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy ?Services (KPETS).  Woof Woof!Campus Craft Sho... 08/08/2007

There are alot of people in the real estate world who were left empty handed on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Hundreds of real estate transactions were cancelled/ delayed when their lender of choice, American Home Mortgage, couldn't fund the loan. Now there is speculation that layoffs may soon follow.  See an article in Originator Times here  .  Reason enough to trust your in-house loan officer even more.  Here in Lancaster, PA I have had recent luck with some of our Long and Foster agents having me review their clients pre-approvals, with their permission of course.  Some have panned out for them and some were questionable. In these times, a pre-approval or commitment from a smaller bank doesn't neccesarily mean that the deal will close. AHM is one of the largest mortgage originator... 08/02/2007

Some of the most desirable Lancaster County PA homes for sale are the ones in Grandview Heights.  A wonderful historic location combined with classic home styles make for a true destination neighborhood. Grandview Heights consists of a fairly large network of streets in what is considered "old" Manheim Township, abutting Lancaster City in the northeast corner.  The majority of the homes were built in the 1930s and 1940s, but homes continued to be built right up until the mid 1990s.  The classic brick architecture can be found throughout the area, with both detached homes and townhomes interspersed. Home styles in Grandview Heights varies widely, which adds to the charm of the neighborhood.  There are Craftsman bungalows with wood and stucco exteriors, brick postwar GI-bill homes, Large ... 07/27/2007

  Considering the wide variety of fine neighborhoods and locales within Lancaster County, it may not come as a surprise that one of the favorite ones is located right in the middle!   Nestled in Manheim Township, PA is Wetherburn, a beautiful community of upscale homes. Wetherburn was built between 1979 and 1999 in several phases.  Located along Fruitville Pike just north of Lancaster City and Route 30, Wetherburn is ideally located.  There is both Wetherburn & Wetherburn North, the north phase on the other side of Petersburg Road.   Home styles in Wetherburn tend towards the neocolonial or colonial revival, with exteriors of brick-face or siding for the most part.  There are some stone-face examples but not as many, since Wetherburn was completed before the stone fad began in the mid 1... 07/26/2007

The Lancaster Barnstormers have a new manager, Frank Klebe, but last night was not yet to be the night that would turn the tide for the Barnstormers. The game was against the Bridgeport, Connecticut Bluefish.  The weather was cloudy, but a predicted shower never materialized.                    A good crowd showed up for the game.  While attendance had been down a bit from last year's championship season, the fans were back in force for this game.                                           The Barnstormers were down 2-0 going into the ninth inning.  The Bluefish, who had made their sixth trip to the Atlantic League playoffs last year, suddenly came alive.  The game and inning ended 11-0 for the Bluefish. 07/25/2007

Previously working for one of those 'outside' lenders in Lancaster county for five years I have seen this scenario...In the past month I have been re-contacted by 3 L&F clients who were closing on a purchase mortgage in Lancaster County, who did not choose my services, as they were getting closer to settlement, with one actually at the closing table. Why? The lender they chose DID NOT honor the rate that was apparently quoted & locked. And the thing that gets me is I told them that would happen. How did I know? I get my money from the same banks they do and I know how much money the L.O. is making on the deal. Please know that for an in-house lender commissions are based on market share in their office and total loan amounts, not interest rate and overage. Just a tip for everyone, when ... 07/23/2007

Sunnyside is the largest tract of undeveloped land in the city of Lancaster.  Plans have been discussed since 1999 to develop three hundred townhouses, single family homes and apartments on the peninsula of the Conestoga River.That proposal was temporarily dropped when the county proposed moving county offices to Sunnyside, where they would have much needed space for expansion.  The county also considered building a Youth Intervention Center on the property in 2005.  Last year they endorsed a plan to have Community Basics develop Sunnyside.The plan stalled because of complications in deeding the property to Community Basics.  The county considered declaring the tract a blighted property and condemning it so they could then transfer it.  The only problem:  the property isn't blighted.Now... 07/20/2007

Want It Included in the Sale?  Put it in writing!   I'm dealing with a slight issue of mis-communication between a buyer, his agent, a seller, and his agent.  I'm none of these people - I'm just the one covering while the seller's agent is on vacation.  Luckily, I think I managed to work out the details and keep the seller happy.   When the buyer and his agent toured the home, they learned from the seller (actually the seller's fiancee who is NOT on the deed) that "everything is included".  Naturally, the buyer assumed this meant the washer and dryer as well, and happily went on their merry way with their agent to write up an offer.  Well, "everything" did not mean the washer and dryer.  The problem is, they never indicated those items on the Agreement of Sale as "included" items.    Th... 07/19/2007

Saturday, July 21 will be a special day at the Rock Ford Plantation!                                                          Members of Historic Lancaster Walking Tours, in eighteenth century costumes,  will portray citizens of Lancaster during the revolutionary war.  Lancaster was a thriving city even before the revolution.                             "Hidden Treasures of Historic Lancaster" will be the theme of the one day program.  Participants will be given driving directions and maps to eight historic locations.  The clues given will lead to the identification of a famous spy! Ice cream and refreshments will be served.  This year marks the fiftieth year since the Junior League of Lancaster saved Rock Ford, an elegant 1792 example of Georgian architecture, from demolition.  07/19/2007

Lancaster County's Central Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the county.  Located on the Conestoga River one mile south of Lancaster, the park can be reached from Chesapeake Street. The park is also home to historic Rock Ford Plantation built in 1792.                               The Garden of the Five Senses has many plantings, trees, and a waterfall. The office of the Central Park is itself an historic farmhouse.                                          07/19/2007

Rock Ford Plantation, Lancaster PA The beautiful and historic Rock Ford Plantation is located a mile south of Lancaster on a scenic estate of 177 acres, part of which has now been made into Lancaster's Central Park. The plantation, one of the most important examples of eighteenth century Georgian architecture in the country, Was built by General Edward Hand, who resigned from the British army 1n 1774 to practice medicine in Lancaster, and joined the Continental army in 1775.                      The barn can be reserved for weddings on the plantation!                                         Can you see the dove perched on the front of the roof of the outbuilding below? General Hand acquired 160 acres in 1785, and another 17 acres in 1792, when he started building the mansion.  Close by ... 07/17/2007

If you are cruising east on Chestnut Street past Lime, look to your right for the newly renovated Musser Park.  Musser Park originally opened in 1949, a bequest to the City of Lancaster by Henry Musser, maker of umbrella handles.   It's a 3.1 acre green space within a beautifully historic city district.  The park had been unimproved for many years before a the Musser Park Civic Association embarked on a well-deserved upgrade.  Renovations included new grading and seed of the well-known "bowl" in the center of the park, a new water fountain, concrete game tables with checkers, etc. etched in, new signage at the park entrance points, a new rubber surface for the popular playground, and nice new brick and concrete walkways throughout.  New, attractive light poles have been strategically pl... 07/12/2007

Nestled along the busy Lititz Pike, jsut out of sight of the hurrying morning commuters, lies one of Manheim Township and Lancaster County, PA's nicest parks.  Landis Woods Park is almost 70 acres, prime acres by the way, of forested land crisscrossed with walking trails. This tract of land is one of the largest undeveloped, natural tracts within close proximity to Lancaster City.  As you drive up into the park you are immediately struck by some very nice metal sculptures perched along the drive: There is a pond that is being used to attract wildlife, and some nice landscaping has been done along the entrance drive to the park.  Manheim Township is to be commended for this wonderful work. The walking trails wind mostly through heavily wooded areas, but the main section near the Boettche... 07/10/2007

Located near the northern edge of Manheim Township in Lancaster, PA is the Community Park.  There are 14 parks in Manheim Township and this park is the largest at 33 acres, and the most versatile.  It's a popular spot to spend an hour or a day.  The park is part of Manheim Township's Greenway system. The park is located apporximately 1 mile west of State Rte 501 (Lititz Pike) on Petersburg Road.  There is a kitchen and 3 covered pavilions which are available for reservation - contact Manheim Township's offices at 569-6406 for instructions. There are 2 ballfields, a basketball full-court and 2 sand volleyball courts: A nice touch is the perimeter drive around the park, with covered picnic areas arranged to allow a view from the hilltop that the park is perched upon.  Right now, cornfield... 07/10/2007

Any local Lancaster County mortgage buyers can get a 90% conforming 30 year fixed rate loan without any second mortgage or without the high PMI (mortgage insurance) add on! This incredible offer will be difficult to beat on the street and is offered on new sales contracts / rate locks starting July 1 and runs thru rate locks on August 31. Here's what you get:-No second mortgage with a high second mortgage rate. This one is all built into the first mortgage... one loan one payment.-No high mortgage insurance costs. A 90% loan will typically carry a cost of an additional .375% monthly premium. This one doesn't! *Contact me for further details about the Summer Sizzle Special program on conforming 30 year fixed rate loans.*Prosperity's Summer Sizzle promotion is offered with only a .125% ad... 07/03/2007

Looking for Manheim Township, PA homes for sale in the mid-$100,000 range with nice amenities and little yardwork?  Then Cobblestone Court might be for you!  This townhome neighborhood is a popular one with first-time homebuyers as well as those looking to downsize from the big home they raised a family in.  There are several styles of home to choose from at Cobblestone Court, but most are of a 2-story variety with square footages ranging from 1,000 to 1,700.  Construction took place in the late 1990's up until about 2003.  Most common floorplans are a center or end-unit 2-story (see above photo) with 1-2 parking spaces per unit.  There are also a few ranch-style plans and duplex models, with either attached  or detached 1-car garages, offering something for everyone.  Mailboxes are loc... 06/26/2007

Northgate in Lancaster PA: An exciting new project is taking place at the corner of North Queen and East Lemon Streets.  The complex of buildings formerly owned by J. F. Wilde is being partially demolished and partially restored and converted.  The new gated community of Northgate in Lancaster will consist of upscale condominiums, office and retail spaces. The historic warehouse on North Christrian Street shown above will be converted into six luxury condos with 13-foot ceilings,  hardwood floors, and fireplaces.                 Townhouses along East Lemon Street will be converted into additional condos.                                           Thirty parking spaces will be created within the gated community. 06/25/2007

Buyer's looking for a mortgage in Lancaster County who are putting 10% down payment can get one 30 year fixed rate mortgage with no mortgage insurance and no second mortgage. I am offering a summer special, no rate increase,  on conforming 30 year fixed rate loans. So look me up if needing a quote for this scenario or any scenario. 06/24/2007

You know the old saying...If it sounds too good to be true...it normally is.  Well, this is that instance.  I normally do not respond to other lenders advertising campaigns but I am doing  this in an attempt to inform people of the pitfalls of this product so you can educate your clients.   A local lender is pushing a Negative Amortization product, it's always been there - he's just selling the sizzle [kudos to him]. I have them too, their just not appropriate for Lancaster County. They are more appropriate for Summer Resort Towns (down the shore)  where buyers get in...sits tight for five years...sells and make a huge profit.   In the advertisement, this local lender will be upfront with the customers and disclose the first 5 years and next 25 years, no surprises...BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO... 06/20/2007