We embraced our "outdoor selves" as a family this past weekend by reserving a campsite at Gifford Pinchot State Park in neighboring York County (Lewisberry, to be exact - only a few miles from Ski Roundtop). Just off of route 83, Gifford Pinchot offers over 300 campsites and was recommended in "The Best of Pennsylvania Tent Camping", a book by Matt Willen that I leaned on for my decision.

The lakeside option was appealing to us and we selected a site in the "A" loop.  sites 114-131 are the best in the "A" loop, in my opinion.  We were in site 131.  Keep in mind that all those sites are non-electric; you can view the campground map here for the best site for your RV or pop-up.  I had done my homework and our site was adjacent to a water source & bath house.  By the way, the bath house we used was excellent and the showers were in good shape.

We also rented a canoe from a local source in Lancaster and brought that over - our campsite had "access" to the lake, but the brush in between was LOUSY with poison ivy - making it off-limits for the kids unless we were using the canoe.  It was handy, however, to be able to push out into the lake without any additional steps.  Better sites are close by with clean access to the lake.

We had a clear day on Thursday and Friday morning as well.

We were able to canoe both days and also went swimming at the private beach area for campers (rigidly enforced - a ranger got on the bullhorn while we were out there warning all non campers that they would be getting tickets).  The beach area also has a small play area that our kids put to good use - we had to pry them off the slide!

A HUGE thunderstorm roared through on Friday afternoon but my meager camping knowledge got us through without major mishap.  Hearing hail on the tent was an interesting experience...

One suggestion I have is to bring bikes - there are lots of paved byways in the park to ride on and it's a family pastime to cruise around.  We had plentt to deal with on this, our first family camping exercise, so bikes were left at home.  I will definitely bring them next trip, however.

Gifford Pinchot State Park is impressive in size at 2.338 acres, and the lake encompasses 340 acres all by itself.  We only covered a small portion by canoe but it's very peaceful and uncrowded.  There are 2 large day-use areas with beaches and boat rentals.  Everything seemed very orderly and the people were a pleasure to deal with.  The Park is even on Twitter! 

While our experience was excellent, be aware that if you have a pet life will be more difficult.  Only a small portion of sites are pet friendly, and the park does not allow them in common areas.

One nice thing was meeting the "neighbors", a nice family who were more experienced campers who gave us some good pointers and advice.  Seems like the family factor is very high and it's not hard to meet people should you prefer.

For a fee of $44 this campground was very reasonable.  If you're interested in camping in the Lancaster PA area, Gifford Pinchot is hard to beat.    If you're looking for an opportunity to canoe, Pinchot Lake is very accessible and easy to get around on.  The kids were asking when we could come back even as we were packing up! 

Interesting perspective on home decoration by my friends at Sugar Pine Realty out in Northern California:

Prince Street Cafe in downtown Lancaster was host to our ninth "Lancaster PA Tweetup" today, and this one was special!  Today was also the birthday of Chad Hamilton (@poservarial), and @Julie_Rickards baked cupcakes in honor of the event!

We had a record turnout with over 20 twitterati in attendance, including several new faces. 

Here's the list:

Eaciv
Johnromanski
Brix11
Lancasterhomes
Poservarial
Julie_Rickards
Wisegrass
Odonnellsteve
Ryanshenhoover
Esposimi
Veraviolet
Danielklotz
Jeremywalter
Wordcooper
Mivillephoto
Poservarial
Byersremorse

TRezendes
KRezendes
Benzendes
InfoLibrarian

Open this Sunday will be 135 Spring Meadow Lane - 1-3pm hosted by Brian Schulman of the Jeff Geoghan Realty Group.

If you are interested in exploring Lancaster County's country living you're going to love this home.  If you are an entertainer, you're going to REALLY love this home!

Nestled in the secluded Letort Manor community in Manor Township just west of Millersville, PA is 135 Spring Meadow Lane.  Anyone searching for Manor Township PA homes for sale will tell you that not a lot comes up for sale around here...people are staying put!  This home represents your opportunity to join those moving to the "country" without sacrificing any conveniences. 

A traditional split level, this home boasts a large integrated garage with direct access inside, a real plus on those rainy spring afternoons.  A sleek kitchen/dining combination with breakfast bar makes chatting over an omelette a reality.  The lot is quite large and is exquisitely landscaped with islands of mulched-in foliage that invites a stroll through the property.  A newer shed out back could be used for storage or as a workshop.

The real jewel of this Lancaster country home is the pool and deck, however.  To see this area is worth the effort to set up a showing alone!  If you're planning on "having folks over" you'll want to have this space to stretch out in...check out the photos to see what we mean...

Whether it's indoors or out, Spring or Fall, this home and property does not fail to impress.

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 For Lancaster PA homes for sale click here. Jeff Geoghan is a top real estate expert in Lancaster County, PA, and an involved community member. Jeff's work has been featured in the Lancaster Newspapers, WGAL Channel 8, PA Business Journal and Wall Street Journal. Jeff's blog on Lancaster County and its homes is nationally-featured. Contact Jeff for more help with your Lancaster PA Real Estate needs. Jeff is also a photographer - view some of his lancaster pa photography portfolio. Comments are welcome!

 

I'm proud to announce a new partner of the YourLancasterHome.com Real Estate team - Bare Financial Services will be providing financial advisory services to our clients in a new program, which I'll be publishing a press release on this week.  In the meantime, Jeremy Walter of Bare Financial posted his June "Monthly Minute" newsletter and I liked the lead story.  It's a list (who doesn't like lists?) of ways that you can find to give more in a creative fashion.  Here's the list:

1. Give a "donation loan" in which the recipient repays you by donating the "loan" to someone else

2. Pay for someone's gas next to you at the gas station

3. Loan a family car when it's not being used to a family who needs it

4. Offer to drive people needing transportation to doctor appointments, airports, etc.

5. Donate unused air conditioning window units to a family who needs one

6. Purchase a restaurant gift certificate and offer free babysitting to new parents

7. Give out change at local laundromats and talk to the person while waiting for their clothes to wash/dry

8. Create scholarships to pay for events a family couldn't usually afford (church events, summer camps, mission trips)

9. Spend a Saturday morning looking for a moving van and offer to help the family move their belongings

10. In addition to a monetary gift to a local ministry, offer to volunteer regularly on a fixed day of the week or month either in their office or ministry field

REBLOGGED FROM RAY SMITH'S BLOG...

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) recently announced that lenders are permitted to offer first time homebuyers a "bridge" loan under certain conditions:

• The tax credit advance, when combined with the FHA-insured first mortgage may not result in cash back to the borrower

• The credit will issued in the second lien position and may not exceed the total amount needed for the down payment, closing costs, and prepaid expenses

• Secondary financing may require a monthly payment

• Payments must be deferred for at least 36 months to not be included in the qualifying ratios

Under guidance drafted by the FHA, all lenders approved to do business with the agency will be authorized to provide bridge loans at closing secured solely by the tax credit that the borrower anticipates receiving from the IRS. State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations approved by the FHA will be allowed to offer either bridge loans or second mortgages secured by the house.

Snapshot Analysis of the FHA Bridge Loan Program

The bridge loan is theoretically a step in the right direction but there are some problems. Lenders do not have much incentive to loan money that will have a three year deferrment.  Most lenders are already overwhelmed with refinances and new purchases in their system and may not want to take on the added risk of lending out bridge loans to first time buyers.  Although not a practical money maker in itself, the bridge loan program could be considered an excellent referral source for local banks that offer the program in the hopes of converting a lifelong customer for other services. It will be hard to tell if the FHA plan can be implemented successfully.  I will be monitoring the situation closely.

Ray Smith, MPA is a Mortgage Consultant for Home National Mortgage located in Lancaster, PA is an expert with First Time Homebuyers as an educator of the home buying process. Ray is active in the community, serving as a political and non profit volunteer. Ray is also a stern advocate of being sound in mind, body and spirit. As such Ray teaches personal training at Universal Athletic Club located Lancaster, PA, focusing on those who desire to lose weight.

Solar rebates have been on the horizon in PA for some time now, and installers have been holding projects for clients waiting for something to happen.  This spring, Pennsylvania rolled out the first phase of what they're calling the "Sunshine Solar Program". This program will provide $100 million in rebates to assist in funding solar electric (PV) or solar hot water (Thermal) systems throughout the state, both for small businesses and homeowners.  By the way, much of the funding will come from the "stimulus" bill.  Lancaster County PA solar systems will be able to participate.

The funding will be distributed in the form of rebates for approved residential and small business solar projects.  Interestingly, rebates will be awarded on a "first come, first served" basis.  Other limitations are that households may receive one PV electric (photovoltaic) rebate for up to 10KW (kilowatts) of power plus (not "or") one solar hote water (thermal) rebate of up to $2,000.  Only one application per business at a time will be allowed - once the project is completed the business can reapply for a second project.

Now, your typical solar thermal install these days will run you about $8,000 to $10,000, so the rebate at max works out to 25-20% of the total cost.  With the PV jobs the typical cost is going to be $30,000 to $70,000 on the high side (for a residential or small business).  According to Mike Newman, Renewable Energy Services rep for Worley & Obetz in Manheim PA, the typical cost is about $68,000 for a 10KW PV system.  "Plus the 30% federal tax credit on the whole (project)...it's pretty substantial" Mike added.

I'm glad to see that this program is off the ground and running.  Solar providers are reporting that they are busy writing estimates and working long days.  Let's see more PA summer sun being used to generate energy!  I'll write more here as details come to light.  For a list of approved PA solar vendors visit this link on the PA DEP website.  Worley & Obetz have 3 nice flyers summarizing the PA incentives for wind, solar and geothermal projects.

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 For Lancaster PA homes for sale click here. Jeff Geoghan is a top real estate expert in Lancaster County, PA, and an involved community member. Jeff's work has been featured in the Lancaster Newspapers, WGAL Channel 8, PA Business Journal and Wall Street Journal. Jeff's blog on Lancaster County and its homes is nationally-featured. Contact Jeff for more help with your Lancaster PA Real Estate needs. Jeff is also a photographer - view some of his lancaster pa photography portfolio. Comments are welcome!

 

Coldwell Banker Select Professionals, based at 1000 North Prince Street in Historic Lancaster City serving all of th

Yes, the Lancaster PA Twitterati just felt the urge to get up at the crack of dawn again.  This time, however, we had the opportunity to meet some new faces.  Well, not so new since we all follow them already on Twitter.  But it's always cool to meet in person - this time at the Prince Street Cafe in Downtown Lancaster City.

(Nick is striking a pose I think)

(Missing yet again is Ken Mueller, BTW)

New faces were @RustyBanks, @AdamChlan, Nida & Jeronimo from @godesignunit & @esposimi

Who else was there?  @ChristopherVogt, @Shanellelee, @ionrae, @jeffmccloud, @wisegrass, @chuckholt, @poservarial, @jeremywalter, @ryansmoker and of course your intrepid organizers @danielklotz and @lancasterhomes (that's me).

Great to see ya'll again!  Looking forward to the next Lancaster PA Tweetup...

This week - A special treat of a home in popular Hamilton Park.  Homes in this vibrant community are generally desirable for their proximity to downtown Lancaster City and everything cool on the west end of Lancaster.  This federal-style brick semi has all the great things you look for in Hamilton Park:

• a full 3rd floor bedroom that's big enough to be a master
  
• a traditional fireplace & hearth
  
• attached garage in the lower level
  
• huge back yard with driveway off the alleyway
  
• really nice stone patio for outdoor entertaining

Here's a sneak preview of the home for your enjoyment...in the MLS this weekend.  Call me for a appointment to see this Hamilton Park beauty! Offered at $172,253

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 For Lancaster PA homes for sale click here. Jeff Geoghan is a top real estate expert in Lancaster County, PA, and an involved community member. Jeff's work has been featured in the Lancaster Newspapers, WGAL Channel 8, PA Business Journal and Wall Street Journal. Jeff's blog on Lancaster County and its homes is nationally-featured. Contact Jeff for more help with your Lancaster PA Real Estate needs. Jeff is also a photographer - view some of his lancaster pa photography portfolio. Comments are welcome!