Is it a full moon or something?

Grrrrrr......

I'm having network problems today.  Printer problems.  Cell phone problems.  Settlement problems.

WHAT ELSE CAN GO WRONG!!

I need to print out an extension for a settlement -- and my printer is not working right.  We had a power outage some time overnight, and all the clocks in the house are blinking, so I can barely know what time it is.

The settlement I was suppose to be having today is not happening.  Yet.  Hence, the need for the extension.

I synced my Treo to my laptop via bluetooth, and it locked up on me.  Twice.

I have a feeling it all has to do with the power outage.  I didn't even know there was a storm last night.

I've been spending a lot of time this week in an area where I have no cell reception, and today is my day to catch up on everything - and the world is not cooperating!

Grrrrr......

Okay, enough ranting today.  Time to get a grip and get on with it.  I just needed to let off some steam!

60 Greenwood Ave - REDUCED! Adorable Brick Semi on 1/2 acre in Lancaster Township

REDUCED!! 

60 Greenwood Ave - Now priced at $135,980.

Lovely all brick semi-detached home with 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bath, and HUGE 1/2 acre property.

Quick commute to Willow Street and Lancaster City.

Don't delay - this opportunity won't last long.

Visit www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com for more information, or contact Jeannie Kontis directly at 717-330-5137 or email KontisHomes@aol.com.

Thanks, but I already gave at the office!

Today was a busy day all around with regards to real estate in Lancaster County, but we can never be too busy to forget about the  importance of community service.  This marked the day that our Long & Foster Lancaster office took part in it's community service day by organizing a blood drive.  I must admit, that I haven't donated blood in several years, but can certainly understand how important it is to do so.  I didn't realize, though, what a fine-tuned machine these Red Cross of the Susquehanna Valley volunteers run!

After checking in, reviewing the documents regarding who can and can't donate (be careful if you are on certain prescription drugs and review your medical history carefully) and answering some highly personal questions, I waited around until it was my turn.  I admit, it took a bit longer than I had expected, and I was worried that I would be late for an appointment.  Luckily for me, my clients were understanding after my partner Rick Brown explained to them that I was *a bit tied* up and would be meeting them in the reception lobby as soon as possible.

After being called for my turn, I tried to NOT be nervous about it.  I was, I have to admit, but it was really only slightly uncomfortable and not painful at all.  Apparently, I have slow moving blood, but I did finally fulfill my share of the donation.  I even tried taking a little power nap while I was laying on the very comfy cots they had set up.  When all was said and done, I was escorted to the yummy snack table to rest, gather myself, and enjoy some delicious cookies and refreshments.

Bandaged up, I headed upstairs to meet my clients and go on with the day.  I do admit, a few hours later I started to feel a bit lightheaded, but nothing that I couldn't handle and that a smokehouse burger from Ruby Tuesday's didn't fix (Yes, I convinced my hubby to have dinner out tonight).

Yes, we all give a little bit of ourselves to everyone we meet throughout the day.  Everyone seems to pull us in all different directions, whether it is family, clients, our children and sometimes even strangers.  Sometimes it exhausts us.  Other times it leaves us feeling exhilirated.  Today I can truly say that "i gave at the office", and I hope it does someone a world of good.  Please consider donating blood and giving the precious gift of life.

For more information about the Red Cross, contact the Susquehanna Valley Chapter at (717) 299-5561 or (717) 234-3101.

Click here for more information about donating blood - the gift of life or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE to find out about a Red Cross blood drive near you.

From the Red Cross website:

Most people expect blood to be available, but barely a fraction of those who can give do. Yet sooner or later, most Americans will face a time when blood will be needed. And that time is all too often unexpected. Join with the American Red Cross to build a healthy blood supply and save lives

• Lancaster County Blood Drive
• Capital Region Blood Drives
• Mifflin & Juniata Counties Blood Drives

Not sure why you need to donate blood?  Here are the Top Ten Reasons why YOU should, according to the Red Cross:

	You will get free juice and cookies.
	You will weigh less — one pint less when you leave than when you came in.
	It's easy and convenient — it only takes about an hour and you can make the donation at a donor center, or at one of the many Red Cross mobile blood drives.
	It's something you can spare — most people have blood to spare... yet, there is still not enough to go around.
	Nobody can ask you to do any heavy lifting as long as you have the bandage on. You can wear it for as long as you like. It's your badge of honor.
	You will walk a little taller afterwards — you will feel good about yourself.
	You will be helping to ensure that blood is there when you or someone close to you may need it. Most people don't think they'll ever need blood, but many do.
	It's something you can do on equal footing with the rich and famous — blood is something money can't buy. Only something one person can give to another.
	You will be someone's hero — you may give a newborn, a child, a mother or a father, a brother, or a sister another chance at life. In fact, you may help save up to three lives with just one donation.
	It's the right thing to do.

It's graduation time!

Whew! What a busy week I just put behind me!

Besides dealing with Lancaster Real Estate related stuff, such as showings, inspections and indecisive buyers and sellers; and personal stuff such as out of town guests - I had not one, but TWO graduations in my family! 

All week long, the opening lyrics to Sunrise, Sunset have been running through my mind.  Okay, this wasn't a wedding of sorts, but it's a milestone that seemed to come before its time.  Is this the little boy I carried?... Is this the little boy at play?... I don't remember growing older... When did they?  When did they get to be so tall?  Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?  Sunrise.. Sunset.  Swiftly go the days...

Youngest son just graduation last Wednesday from Manheim Township high school.  He has attended Manheim Township schools since kindergarten, and it was so wonderful to watch his childhood friends graduate right alongside him.  I heard names announced that I recognized, yet had I bumped into these young adults on the street (or the mall) I never would have known it was them.  I just can't believe how the years have flown by.

What words of wisdom can I give them?  What can I say to ease their way?

Before we had time to finish our graduation celebration, we had to hop on a plane and make our way to Orlando Florida, where oldest son was graduating from FullSail University with his bachelors degree in Film Production.  Whew!  Was it hot down there!  I heard there was a full-fledged heatwave going on back home in Lancaster as well.  I was hoping for some time to have a little R & R by the pool while in Florida, and I was determined to come back with some sort of a tan, but that didn't happen.  We were so busy CELEBRATING! and cleaning and shopping for some of oldest son's essentials, that we didn't have any time to "enjoy" the hot Florida weather.

It was great seeing him, since we've all been apart since Christmas.  Unfortunately, he isn't coming home just yet as he's comitted to finishing up some projects.  Hopefully, they'll turn out to be paying projects at some point!  I am really looking forward to having him home soon, although it doesn't appear it will be before the end of July.

Younger son is enjoying some R & R at the Delaware Shore this week with his fellow graduate friends, Oldest son is still in the Florida sun, and Pops and Mom are back at the daily grind.  We are empty nesters, except for our two pups.  Isn't something wrong with this scenario??  I need a vacation from all of this celebrating!  Either way, I am super proud of these kids and I couldn't have asked for a happier week.  And, I'm sure I'll be singing Sunrise, Sunset for a few days to come.

Lancaster, PA - SNEAK PREVIEW - Manheim Township Home for Sale

Here is a great opportunity for someone looking for a Manheim Township home on a private lot with a GREAT backyard and GREAT potential!  

Tim "The Toolman" Taylor, from the show "Home Improvement", would LOVE this home!  Rachel Ray, chef extraordinaire, would LOVE this home!  There is definitely "something for everyone" available with this home, which offers so much for every homebuyer's needs.

The possibilities are endless with this property.  Features in this multi split-level Manheim Township home include:

• gorgeous hardwood floors throughout
• HUGE kitchen with sunny breakfast area, kitchen island, loads of built-ins, loads of cabinets, ceramic tile floor as well as tile countertops and backsplash.  I could go on and on about the kitchen!
• 3 bedrooms on the upper level
• 4th bedroom -- possible in-law quarters -- on the lower level
• family room with wood burning fireplace on the lower level
• loads of storage bonus rooms on the lower level
• walk-up attic stairs (no hard to reach pull down stairs!)
• detached OVERSIZED garage that every car buff will love!
• workspace, built-in workbenches and storage cabinets in the garage
• separate finished 2nd floor family room/office/den in the detached garage; with separate entrance, ideal for apartment/in-law or in-home business or office
• 2 full baths in the home; 1 half bath in the detached garage (yes, you can work on your car and not have to go back inside at all!)
• fantastic oversized covered deck with arbor
• fenced vegetable garden area
• Price = $287,000. Value!
  

The possibilities are endless!  There are some cosmetics needed, such as removing some wallpaper, painting some walls and trim, and just some common household deferred maintenance all around.  But, if these were all done the listing price would be much higher

This will be hitting the market for a quick sale for $287,000.  A little bit of elbow grease and cosmetics will give you instant equity.  You cannot find a home with this many features, especially this type of garage and great potential, in this location.

Easy to reach Manheim Township location on a quiet, tree lined street, offers a quick commute to all major roads, shops and amenities.  Routes 30, 283 and 222 are all just a hop, skip and a jump.  You can even walk to Starbucks if you wanted to (the seller does all the time).

Where can you find a KITCHEN like this! 

This lovely Manheim Township home is not yet on the MLS -- call today to arrange your personal showing before it officially hits the market. 

Contact Jeannie Kontis, Realtor, directly at 717-330-5137 or email at KontisHomes@aol.com to arrange your personal showing.  You can also view more Manheim Township Homes for Sale on my website.

Now, as a disclosure, I would like to add that this home is my parents' home.  The decision to downsize has taken them months -- perhaps even years.  They have finally made the decision after my father had a health scarel last year and my mother just recently was diagnosed with neuropathy.  The home is ideal for them, with few stairs, but the property is just too large for them to care for. 

I blogged about what an emotional toll the thought of downsizing has been on not only them - but on me as well - in my post An Emotional Rollercoaster for all...

I'd love for anyone interested in this home to read that post, and realize what a special home this was, and still is.  Now that my parents have made the decision to sell, I truly hope that the new prospective buyers can picture themselves here as well, having their Easter Egg hunts in the yard, waiting for the school bus to stop at the corner, and enjoying many healthy and happy years here while making their own lifetime memories.  If YOU are that person, this home is waiting for you...

Lancaster PA readies itself for major film production

Lancaster County and the Susquehanna Valley will be busting at the seams soon, with some top notch actors and actresses gathering in the area to work on a new feature film.  "Another Harvest Moon" featuring Ernest Borgnine, Doris Roberts, Anne Meara and Cybill Shepard, and a few other noted celebrities.  Many of you might know Doris Roberts as "Marie", everyone's favorite nosey mother from "Everybody Loves Raymond".  And of course, everyone knows academy-award winning Ernest Borgnine.

"Another Harvest Moon" brings Borgnine out of retirement, at 91 years old, and gives him an opportunity to work on a film that deals with senior citizens, the effects of a stroke, and the friendships forged in a nursing home.  I'm sure it will hit home with a number of us who are dealing with aging parents, as well as baby boomers who are facing decisions such as the ones brought to the forefront in this soon to be made film.

Pennsylvania is home to tax credits available to independant filmmakers - an effort that is of course near and dear to my heart for many reasons.  Pennsylvania offers a 25% tax credit to filmmakers who spend 60% of their budget filming in our fine Commonwealth.  Besides the fact that my son is an up and coming young filmmaker, the producers and production company for this particular new film, Aurora Film & Music, are dear friends of mine (some have even been clients) and I'm excited that they have an opportunity to work on such a fine feature.  Aurora is a Lancaster-based independant film company who is embarking on their first major film production with the production of this movie.  I know how hard and dedicated they have been over the past year to bringing this story, originally a screenplay written by Jeremy Thomas Black, to the big screen.  It will be directed by another former Lancastrian, Greg Schwartz. 

You can read the details of the movie in the recent Lancaster Newspapers article and interview of Aurora partner and film producer, Chad Taylor.

Lancaster City is not only home to fine arts such as the galleries on Prince Street, or "Gallery Row"; but is also home to art on the screen.  Besides Aurora Film and Music, Haverstick Films is another local independant film company, who has been hard at work with post production for their feature film, "Home", starring Marcia Gay Harden.  "Home" is a production that my son had the opportunity to intern for, and my husband and his recording studio, Moontree Studios (co-owned with a partner in Aurora) worked on some of the sound editing. 

These are exciting times for not only Pennsylvania, but for Lancaster City arts as a whole.  I hope that this fine cast of actors enjoy their time spent in Lancaster during their shoot, because we certainly have a lot to offer!

----------

If you are in the market to purchase a commercial space in Lancaster PA for an art studio, recording studio, or similar property for your artistic needs, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.  I can be reached at 717-330-5137 or you can reach me through my website at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com

Please watch and vote, and support this young man's dream (Updated!)

I would love to have your help!

As most of you know (because I talk about my kids quite a bit) my oldest son is in film school and is graduating next week!  He has just completed a commercial for a perfume product (which is not a real product) for submission for a film contest.  The director of the recent hit movie "300" (with those buff Spartan warriors) and a few other hit films is having this contest for his next upcoming film, Watchmen, and has asked for submissions of commercials for certain "pretend" products that will be included in the film.

Long story short, my son entered this contest and has uploaded the commercial he just directed to You Tube, and you can watch it here:
  Nostalgia - The perfume for Women .

I would love it if you would all take a moment to watch it - and if you can, please rate it (5 starts would be great!) 

This is so far the most "mature" piece he's worked on, and it has already provided him with a job offer to co-direct a music video for a young, up and coming country singer, which starts shooting this Saturday.  If he wins this film contest, he could win cash (which helps with those student loans!) and most importantly could help land him a spot on the film (and help launch his young career).

Please watch.... and please let me know what you think!  And please rate it!

Thanks a bunch, in advance~

Jeannie (super-duper proud muse-momma to a super-duper talented up and coming film director).

-------------UPDATED----------

So far, this video is a FINALIST in the contest!  Woo hoo!

Thanks for taking the time to watch and rate it -- but don't stop now!  If you haven't watched and rated the video yet, please do so!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

~Jeannie (momma to an up and coming director/screen-writer/producer creative genius)

Open House - Authentic Tudor with Old World Charm - East Hempfield Township

This authentic tudor with old world charm in popular East Hempfield Township has been recently reduced to $269,500. 

Rich, dark hardwood flooring and trim are special featured found throughout the home. 

You will love the extra large screened in porch and deck, spanning over the woods to the rear.

Open House Sunday, June 8, 1-3pm.

Fore more information visit http://2950KingsLane.JeannieSellsLancaster.com .

Getting settled in my new Long & Foster "digs". (now, where did I pack that coffee mug?)

I've been settling into the Long & Foster office and trying to conduct business while still upacking from my recent Prudential Homesale Services move.  It's funny how it takes just a day or so to pack up almost a decade's worth of office stuff, yet it takes almost a week (and probably more) to unpack.  We're still finding stuff that we really don't need ~ and for some reason were compelled to bring with us.  Yet, there are other things ~ files, forms, marketing material ~ that we need, yet can't find.  Where in the world did we put those Merchandiser advertising rate sheets?

We learned today that our personal little coffee machine was flipping the circuit breakers ~ not good!  We'll have to find somewhere else to put that cute little Senseo that I have become very addicted to.  It's funny, but it's been working fine up to now.  And all of the sudden, today we kept tripping the breakers.  For some reason it is *really* cold in our private office, and a hot cup of java is just what we need to keep us going!

I FINALLY learned (somewhat) how to use the phone system today.  And I've got the copy machine mastered to some degree (okay, not "mastered" but I can make copies).  We had the "official" office tour and orientation, and I couldn't help but feel like I was on a class trip or something, following the guide and paying close attention in case there is a pop quiz later on in the day.

And, in case of rain, I have my new handy dandy Long & Foster bright red umbrella that my partner Bob Wells so generously purchased for all of us.  What a nice surprise!  So, if anyone out there is thinking of cancelling any of our scheduled showings because of rain in the forecast, no need to worry!  I will keep you dry AND find you the home of your dreams!

And, slowly, my previous listings are being transferred over to me at the new broker on the MLS.  This has taken longer than I would have liked, although I don't think the hold up is either at our end or my previous office affiliation, yet is somehow taking more time at the local association level.  They must be busy with all this movin' and shakin' that's been going on!

The best part of the move so far is that my new Lititz listing is getting attention, and I think I've just about wrapped up an offer ~ not bad for my first week at the new "digs"! 

Lititz, PA - Adorable Detached Home in Lititz Boro

I have a great new listing in Lititz Boro for sale that is hitting the MLS within a day or so.  If you are looking for one of those great front porches in Lititz, this is your home!  You'll love the backyard as well, with the stamped concrete patio, landscaping and detached garage.

There are lots of built-ins and plenty of rich, dark woodwork that are highlighted by the many sunny windows.

3 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths.

Asking price is $209,000.

Call Jeannie Kontis with Long & Foster Real Estate today at 717-330-5137 or visit www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com for a preview.