Jeannie Kontis, Lancaster PA Real Estate & Lancaster County Homes for Sale

This evening was an event I look forward to every year, the Lancaster County Association of Realtors (LCAR) Annual Banquet. I arrived late, unfortunately, so missed the cocktail reception and missed out on mingling with the local associates that I don't get to see very often.

There is nothing worse than walking into a CROWDED room, where everyone is already seated and intently listening to a speaker. Well there is something worse -- finding out that your assigned table seat is in the front of the room. Darn it! How do I sneak up there without tripping in front of everyone and causing a scene?

Lo and behold, a quick scan of the room results in my finding my partner in the Bob Wells Realty Group, Joan Bomba, also standing at the back of the room in the same predicament i was in. What can I say, we Wells Team gals like to make an entrance! We thought about just standing in the back until all the speeches were over, but we realized we were standing next to a "streetlight" lighting fixture, and thought that just didn't seem "quite right". That's an entirely different type of profession! So, we got our girl-power moxie up and made our way to the front of the room without tripping ~ a sure sign that it would end up being a good night after all!

Just moments later, while sitting at my table with my Wells Team and other Long and Foster associates, I heard my name called during the door prize give-aways ~ and walked away with a $100 gift certificate to Park City Mall (see, I knew it would end up being a good night!). I can surely put that gift card to good use! All I'll need to do is find a store that is not closing.... hmmm....

Soon afterwards, Tina Randler from Realty 1 came over to my table and introduced herself as a new Active Rain member and reader of my blog. Welcome, Tina! It was great meeting you! I hope everyone here can stop by her blog and encourage her to keep at it! It's not easy getting started, we all know that... but once you do, you're hooked!

While speaking with Tina, guess who else stops by my table? My good friend and yours, Brian Schulman, also came over to say hello. I was starting to think people were after my gift certificate! In all honesty, it was great seeing Brian and catching up with him a bit. I was hoping to have a chance to see Jeff Geoghan and to meet their newest team member, Lauren Krady, as well, but the rest of the evening got away from me. Sorry guys, but we'll have to wait until we finalize that PA bloggers meet-up we've been talking about!

I did have the opportunity to catch up with a number of my favorite past associates from Prudential Homesale Services Group, who I have worked with for years before coming to Long & Foster. I also scanned the room and made a bee-line to say hello to one of my favorite local commercial associates, Rich Wolman, who is now with ReMax Associates of Lancaster. Rich and my husband and I go way back to when Rich represented us in the purchase of one of our businesses in 1991, before I was licensed. It was one of his first big deals, and a big transaction for us as well, and we all still have fond memories of that one. We did not own a fax machine back then, as they were really new and quite expensive. After our closing, Rich came to our home and surprised us with a fax machine. Nice gift! Since then, we've probably gone through more fax machines than we can count, I'm sure.

There were a number new faces that I met, and a number of 'old faces' that I wanted to catch up with but just didn't have the time to. Clearly, I need to get there earlier next year so that I have time to catch up with more people and so that I don't have to worry about finding my table in the front of a crowded room! Or, tripping on the way to that table!

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For more information on Lancaster PA Real Estate, or questions
about buying or selling Real Estate in Lancaster County PA,
please contact
Jeannie Kontis at (717) 330-5137
or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com.

Search for Lancaster Homes for Sale at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com

Jeannie Kontis, RealtorⓇ, is a member of the award-winning Bob Wells Realty Group of Long & Foster Lancaster Real Estate, Inc, and serves buyers and sellers of real estate throughout Lancaster County.
All content Copyright ⓒ 2009 Jeannie Kontis Homes in Lancaster PA - Real Estate in Lancaster County

Do you know of any apartments (studios) for rent in Manhattan?

As some of you might know, my son has landed a job in Manhattan not too long ago. That is a miracle in and of itself, considering the vast layoffs that are happening. For the past few months, he has been commuting from my sister-in-law's house in New Jersey ~ and that's now getting a bit old.

It's time for him to move on!

He's been on his own for the past several years, first renting an apartment here in Lancaster and soon afterwards living in Florida for two years while he attended school. He didn't live in a dorm, but rather had his own 2 bedroom apartment with a roomate.

It's getting pretty crowded at my sister in law's house, and now that he is gainfully employed he is looking for a small studio apartment of his own.

I never realized how hard it would be to find something in NYC!

What he needs/wants:

Studio apartment - small is okay!

$1300 or less (yeah, I know -- but I said small!)

Quick commute to Times Square

No roommates or shared living (he's done that for too long already).

Sub-lease is okay if it is for several months (he does not want to have to start looking again in a month or two).

Midtown - East or West side

Lower Manhattan

Brooklyn (Williamsburg / Greenpoint)

Fun, Trendy neighborhood that a young, professional person would enjoy

If necessary, I will be guarantor for lease.

What I have found is photos of rentals that do not portray the actual apartment for rent! What is up with that?!

So, if anyone knows of any apartments for rent or sub-lease, in a clean and secure building, please let me know!
I'm hoping that my AR buddies can come through with something for me!

Did you Know?

The Manheim Township Police Department has a "Tip Line" for residents to call and report any suspected criminal activity -- 717-569-2816 -- can be called 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It is completely anonymous, as the police department is aware that some people would not want to reveal themselves or might feel reluctant to tell police about any criminal activity that they are aware of.

The Tip Line allows residents to get involved without involving themselves and without fear of the criminals finding out who they are.

This call goes directly to an answering maching, and there is NO Caller ID!
Callers should leave a detailed message about why they are calling, names of the people involved (if known), what is occuring and where.
Dates and times are helpful as well, if known.
Any other information that the caller feels would be helpful should be left on the recorder.

The Tip Line is not to be used by someone needing an immediate response from the police department.
If you are having an emergency, as always you should call 911. Non emergency calls should go to 664-1180.

If you would like to be kept up to date about any traffic emergencies or criminal activity in Manheim Township, sign up for Crime and Traffic Alerts at www.ManheimTownship.org and click on "Alerts".

Don't live in Manheim Township? Find out if your local Police Department has a similar Tip Line.
Help keep your community safe, and report any suspected criminal activity.

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For more information on Lancaster PA Real Estate, or questions
about buying or selling Real Estate in Lancaster County PA,
please contact
Jeannie Kontis at (717) 330-5137
or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com.

Search for Lancaster Homes for Sale at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com

Jeannie Kontis, RealtorⓇ, is a member of the award-winning Bob Wells Realty Group of Long & Foster Lancaster Real Estate, Inc, and serves buyers and sellers of real estate throughout Lancaster County.
All content Copyright ⓒ 2009 Jeannie Kontis Homes in Lancaster PA - Real Estate in Lancaster County

Buyers in the Lancaster County real estate market are in for a treat!

No more looking through a soggy Sunday paper for your Open House searches!

The Lancaster County Association of Realtors (LCAR) just launched a new website:

Details and Features from the LCAR announcement:

On January 1st LCAR launched a new website to search open houses in real time, “24/7”!

~ No more waiting until Sunday morning.
~ Ability to search by price / area / date.
~ Google maps to print directions to the property.
~ Photos, descriptions & virtual tours are included.

The key to this new website is the participation of the Listing Agent, who must indicate on the MLS the date and time of the open house. So Sellers, if you are planning an open house, be sure to tell your agent to indicate the information on the MLS so that your property is included in the new website!

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For more information on Lancaster PA Real Estate, or questions
about buying or selling Real Estate in Lancaster County PA,
please contact
Jeannie Kontis at (717) 330-5137
or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com.

Search for Lancaster Homes for Sale at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com

Jeannie Kontis, RealtorⓇ, is a member of the award-winning Bob Wells Realty Group of Long & Foster Lancaster Real Estate, Inc, and serves buyers and sellers of real estate throughout Lancaster County.
All content Copyright ⓒ 2009 Jeannie Kontis Homes in Lancaster PA - Real Estate in Lancaster County

BREAKING NEWS! President Bush has signed into law new consumer tax credits for energy efficiency home improvements, as well as purchases of plug-in hybrid vehicles. These provisions were included in H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which the president signed on October 3, 2008. The homeowner tax credits are largely the same - but not identical - to those that expired at the end of 2007, and begin again on January 1, 2009.

Taxpayers who claimed some but not all of the $500 federal income tax credit for energy efficiency home improvements that was in effect in tax years 2006 and 2007 may utilize the unused portion in 2009, the IRS has informed the Alliance to Save Energy. Please consult your tax advisor for details.

What is a tax credit?

You don't receive an income tax credit when you buy the product, like an instant rebate. You claim the credit on your federal income tax form at the end of the year. The credit then increases the tax refund you receive or decreases the amount you have to pay.

What is the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?

In general, a tax credit is more valuable than a similar tax deduction. A tax credit reduces the tax you pay, dollar-for-dollar. Tax deductions - such as those for home mortgages and charitable giving - lower your taxable income. If you are in the highest 35-percent tax bracket, the income tax you pay is reduced by 35 percent of the value of a tax deduction. But a tax credit reduces your federal income tax by 100 percent of the amount of the credit.

Taxpayers who claimed some but not all of the $500 federal income tax credit for energy efficiency home improvements that was in effect in tax years 2006 and 2007 may utilize the unused portion in 2009, the IRS has informed the Alliance to Save Energy. Please consult your tax advisor for details.

You can get a one-time income tax credit of up to $500 in total for installing efficient new windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in your home.

Who gets it?

Individuals who install specific energy-efficient home improvements.

What energy-efficient home improvements are eligible?

The overall $500 cap can be reached in several ways with the purchase and installation of energy-efficient products:

• Exterior windows: 10 percent of the total cost, up to $200. Includes skylights and storm windows.
  Insulation, exterior doors, or roofs: 10 percent of the cost of the product (but not the installation), up to $500. Includes seals to limit air infiltration, such as caulk, weather stripping, and foam sealants, as well as storm doors.
• Central air conditioner, heat pump, water heater, or bio gas (e.g. corn) stove: up to $300 towards the full purchase price, including installation costs. Starting in 2009, geothermal heat pumps are instead eligible for a separate tax credit for 30 percent of the cost up to a maximum credit of $2,000-see Section 5 below.
• Furnace or boiler: up to $150 towards the full purchase price, and/or $50 for an efficient air-circulating fan in a furnace, including installation cost.

In addition, to be eligible for the federal tax credits:

• Windows, doors, and insulation must meet the requirements for your region of the 2001 or 2004 International Energy Conservation Code, a model energy code for buildings. All ENERGY STAR windows qualify.
• Roofs must be metal with pigmented coatings or asphalt with cooling granules that meet ENERGY STAR requirements.
• Heating and cooling equipment must meet stringent efficiency requirements - not even all ENERGY STAR products will qualify.

Also, windows, doors, insulation, and roofs must be expected to last at least five years (a two-year warranty is sufficient to demonstrate this). Manufacturers can certify (in packaging or on the company's web site) which of their products qualify for the tax credit. All the improvements must be installed in or on the taxpayer's principal residence in the United States. Condo and co-op improvements are apportioned to the owners. The credit cannot be taken against the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).

When are they available?

The home improvement tax credits apply for improvements "placed in service" from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2009. They are not available in 2008, but mostly were available in 2006 and 2007. The IRS defines "placed in service" as when the products or materials are ready and available for use - this would generally refer to the installation, not the purchase.

What do I need to do to get the tax credit?

You will need to file IRS Form 5695 with your taxes. In addition, you will need to keep at least receipts proving that you purchased the improvements and a copy of the manufacturer's certification (or the ENERGY STAR label for windows).

Ask your accountant or tax advisor for further guidance.

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For more information on Lancaster PA Real Estate, or questions
about buying or selling Real Estate in Lancaster County PA,
please contact
Jeannie Kontis at (717) 330-5137
or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com.

Search for Lancaster Homes for Sale at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com

Jeannie Kontis, RealtorⓇ, is a member of the award-winning Bob Wells Realty Group of Long & Foster Lancaster Real Estate, Inc, and serves buyers and sellers of real estate throughout Lancaster County.
All content Copyright ⓒ 2009 Jeannie Kontis Homes in Lancaster PA - Real Estate in Lancaster County