About Lancaster's Lancaster City

IMAX Under the Sea 3D
February 13 - June 1
Whitaker Center - Select Medical IMAX Theater
Harrisburg, PA
Through the visual majesty of IMAX, audiences will be transported to the crystal blue domains of diverse underwater dwellers. Under the Sea 3D, the latest underwater IMAX® adventure narrated by Jim Carrey, transports moviegoers to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth.
Admission: Tickets are $9.50 for Adults; $7.50 for Children (3-12); and $8.75 for Students with ID and Seniors (55+)
Address: 222 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Website: http://www.whitakercenter.org

The Spitfire Grill
March 12 - March 29
Fulton Theatre
Playwrights Valcq and Alley's characters navigate a landscape of long-held secrets and disappointment with realism and depth, punctuated by more than a dozen memorable, country-infused songs. Plan to stop by the the Spitfire Grill for a visit-and leave with an even greater appreciation for your little piece of heaven on earth.
Admission: Please see website for details.
Address: 12 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17608
Website: http://www.thefulton.org

On Golden Pond
March 17 - May 30
Freedom Chapel Dinner Theatre
The love story of Ethel and Norman, returning to Golden Pond for the 48th year. They are visited by their divorced daughter and her fiancee, who go off to Europe and leave his teenage son with them for the summer. The boy becomes the grandchild they have longed for. Follow their lives through this summer at the Golden Pond.
Admission: Dinner & Show: $49; Show only: $27
Address: PO BOX 63, 15 North Bridge Street, Christiana, PA 17509
Website: http://www.freedomchapeldinnertheatre.com

Eliot Fisk in concert
March 20
PA Academy of Music
One of the world's most famous guitarists in concert at the Pennsylvania Academy of Music at 8:00 p.m. Also, free master class at 3:30 p.m. open to the public. Call to reserve a seat.
Time: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Admission: Adults: $25, Students: $15, Children 3 and under: free
Address: 42 N. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17601
Website: http://www.pamusacad.org

Live Music in the Cafe
March 20
Ten Thousand Villages Home Decor, Café and Oriental Rugs
Celtic music with Anam Cara, Celtic harp and violin duo, in the Café at Ten Thousand Villages, 240 North Reading Road (Rt 272) in Ephrata. Free. Call (717) 721-8400.
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Admission: Free
Address: 240 North Reading Road, Route 272 North, E

21st Annual Quilt & Consignment Auction
March 21
West Earl Fire Company
This years auction includes: quilts, lawn and garden, crafts, baked goods, tools, automotive supplies, produce, flowers, and more! Don't miss the fresh pulled pork sandwiches and fresh cut French fries!
Admission: Free.
Address: 14 School Lane Avenue, Brownstown, PA 17508
Website: http://www.westearlfire.org

Bart Township Building Materials Mud Sale
March 21
Bart Township Fire Company
Want to catch a glimpse of some local color and enjoy sampling traditional Lancaster County farm fare? This mud sale features wood and aluminum siding, windows, doors, paneling, bath tubs, wash bowls, lumber and food.
Time: 8:30 AM
Admission: Free
Address: 11 Furnace Road, Quarryville, PA 17503

One of my favorite local housing advocacy groups, the Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (www.LHOP.org), received funding today to extend interest-free loans of up to $5,000 or 8% of purchase price to first-time homebuyers in Lancaster City. Now LHOP has been in this business for quite some time, and they have done a great job of promoting it's programs. The trouble has been that public funding for the homebuyer assistance has been insufficient to meet demand. The program requires that applicant attend a 10-hour class series on homebuyer preparedness and meet certain financial qualifications. The funding influx approved today (the actual money won't be available for another month) was the result of a County Commissioners decision to allow the Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority to release HUD funds to LHOP - something good coming out of Duke Street! It's only $50,000, warns LHOP staffer Courtner Byers, so it may go fast...if you're interested in buying a Lancaster City home now's the time to get started. With the $8,000 tax credit included, things are looking great for Lancaster City first-timers in 2009.

If you are interested in more information about the Lancaster City first-time homebuyer's program feel free to contact me. There's a schedule of upcoming Lancaster PA homeowner education classes and LHOP eligibility requirements published on LHOP's website. Here's their contact info - tell them Jeff Geoghan from YourLancasterHome.com referred you! Ask for Courtney Byers...

Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership
44 North Christian Street, Suite 300
Lancaster, PA 17602

Phone; 717-291-9945
Fax: 717-291-9850
E-mail: info@lhop.org

I've been blogging about many different homebuyer incentives in this space, for example the Lancaster General Hospital "Home In The City" program, and I've got something coming up that will knock your socks off! Check back for that article on a cool County-level program to increase homeownership opportunity and financial independence....

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Listen to this article as a podcast at:

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!

Listen to this article as an audio podcast.

Lancaster City PA - Homes For Sale Update

Here is the Lancaster City PA market review for last week, ending March 14. The current inventory activity of Lancaster City PA homes for sale according to MLS:

• Sold: 8 properties sold for an average price of $73,487, these homes were on the market an average of 81 days.
• New: 17 houses were listed last week.
• Pending: 9 houses went under agreement last week.
• Expired and Extended: 2 listings expired last week and 4 listings extended their contracts with their listing agent.
• Active: 273 homes are active with an average days on market of 99.

Listen to this article as a podcast at:

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!

First Time Homebuyers purchasing in Lancaster City can now look in to qualifying for up to $5,000 down payment assistance through the LHOP program. These funds were initially set up for purchases outside of the city, but a portion of the funds are now available for home purchases in Lancaster City. This is a great boost for many first time buyers! Contact LHOP for information - as there may be income and other requirements necessary to qualify.

From the Lancaster Newspaper:

"Buying a first city home just got a little easier for low- to moderate-income residents.

First-time homebuyers in the city will now have access to a pool of $350,000 in assistance for down payment and closing costs through the Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership.

Previously the aid, which comes in the form of a $5,000 interest-free loan for those who complete an LHOP housing class, was available only to Lancaster County residents who purchase county homes outside the city.

But a new arrangement between the county and city makes it possible for the entities to share the federal housing funds that bankroll the LHOP loans."

You can read the rest of the article and information on this First Time Buyer's Assistance Program here.

You can reach me directly at 717-330-5137.

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For more information on Homes for Sale in Lancaster, or questions and/or concerns about buying or selling a home 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 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

The Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP) has extended limited funds to assist Lancaster City first time home buyers. To qualify for assistance, home buyers must meet eligibility requirements and attend a course on homeownership.

Click here to read the full article: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/235219

Click here to go to the LHOP website for additional details: http://www.lancasterhousing.org/