Lancaster County PA Realty Check: June 2009

We recently got a call from an upset seller requesting that the lockbox be removed from her listing, which had just gone under agreement for sale.  Of course, we did so immediately.  But why was she so concerned?  Because - someone had put an ad on Craig's List advertising her home for rent! 

Potential renters called us requesting information on the ad, and one young woman actually stopped by the house, asking about the rental.  This young woman was thoughtful enough to provide our seller with an email she had received when she responded to the Craig's List rental ad.  It had awkward syntax (i.e., "Dearest, I am Pastor Joseph Ebo", etc.), reminiscent of the ubiquitous Nigerian email scams.

It appears that with the ballooning number of vacant homes, rip-off artists have taken to advertising homes for rent which they have no ownership in.  Innocent tenants have sent money to spoof addresses that look like the landlord's, moved into these vacant homes, and paid rent until they became evicted when the homes were foreclosed or sold at sheriff sale.

If you are selling a vacant property, make sure someone checks regularly that no unauathorized persons are in the home!  It might not even be a bad idea to google for rentals in your area, just to make sure there are no unauthorized ads attempting to rent YOUR property.

Just in time for summer entertaining, this great bilevel has an exceptionally nice pool and rear deck.

Located in the Penn Manor School District, Manor Township, not many homes come up for sale in the Letort Manor community.  Close to the Ann Letort Elementary School, this home offers suburban comfort bordering on scenic farmland.

Open this Sunday , 135 Spring Meadow Lane - 1:00-3:00 pm hosted by Brian Schulman of the Jeff Geoghan Realty Group.  Directions:  Letort Rd west from Millersville, right on Velma, right on Spring Meadow Lane, home on right.

If You See This Magnificent Home In the Heart of Lancaster County...

...you will appreciate what an incredible value it is at the reduced price of $549,900.

On a premium lot, this stately Georgian style brick home with its gables, overlooking a pond and farmland, has both superior size and superlative upgrades.  1465 Drake Lane is one of the finest homes in the desirable Veranda community.

The home is based on the largest model available in Veranda, the Creswood - but with even more square footage due to a huge game room addition on the second level, which could also be used as a fifth bedroom. 

Other features that set this home apart from the competition: gorgeous cherry finished oak floors - a $40,000 custom upgrade -complement the cherry kitchen cabinetry, and continue throughout the house.  Period characteristics such as wainscoting, chair rail and crown molding throughout blend with the most modern of conveniences, including wiring for Surround Sound and Internet throughout.  Custom wood interior shutters (over $20,000) add to the classic interior.   Rounded drywall corners are on all vertical wall corners and the arches.

 Lovingly built by Charter Homes, among its' many fine features are a sunken grand family room with an elegant fireplace and 10' tray ceiling, master bedroom suite with gas fireplace, and a gourmet kitchen that includes a new $5,000. stainless steel double oven and a sunny English garden room.   With a three car garage, 3-1/2 baths and 4,055 square feet, this lovely home is now offered at $549,900.

Veranda is a beautiful community in East Hempfield Township, close to shopping centers, the Lancaster Health Campus and Women and Babies Hospital - yet in a historic setting overlooking a pond and picturesque barns and farmhouses.  Family and cultural events are held throughout the year.  Miles of walking trails and sidewalks meander through this well-planned community.

Directions:  Rte 30 to Harrisburg Ave W approx 1.5 mi, L at Veranda, L on Banner Dr, L on Grassy Way, R on Carroll La, R on Drake La.