LCAR

Lancaster County Association of REALTORS®

Member Focused • Community Driven

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LCAR provides all of our members with professional tools, networking opportunities, and resources to help you with your real estate career. We want to help you succeed on your journey, whether you are interested in Residential or Commercial real estate in Lancaster County, we have the proper tools and guidance to help you reach your goals.

Helping REALTORS® Succeed


Since 1917, the Lancaster Association of REALTORS® has been working to support the needs of our members. Our goal is to foster knowledgeable, ethical, and competent agents to support the needs of their buyers and sellers. Through leadership and education, we believe that all Realtors can continue to excel in their careers. We value our members’ expertise, diversity, and pursuit of knowledge.

The LCAR Blog


By Jordan Evangelista, HQ Water Solutions October 20, 2025
The excitement of a new home is undeniable. Unpacking, decorating, making it your own – it's a fresh start. But amidst the joy, a crucial question often lingers: what's the real story with the water? Whether you've inherited an existing water treatment system or are starting with a clean slate, understanding your water quality is key to a comfortable and confident transition. Think of it as a comprehensive home inspection, but for the water you and your family interact with every day. Beyond the Tap: Understanding Your Water's Potential It's easy to assume your water is fine. But just like any complex system in your home, water quality can vary significantly. Understanding it allows you to make informed decisions. We often encounter situations where: System Efficiency is Questionable: Older or poorly maintained systems might not be performing as expected, leading to less-than-optimal results. Water Composition Varies: Local water sources can contain unique minerals or contaminants that require specific treatment. System Suitability is Unclear: The existing system might not be perfectly matched to your home's needs or your family's preferences. Proactive Maintenance is Key: Just like regular car maintenance, water systems benefit from routine checks to ensure longevity and peak performance. Investing in knowledge about your water is an investment in your home's overall health and your family's comfort. The Power of Professional Water Analysis: Clarity and Confidence A professional water analysis provides a clear, objective picture of your water's quality and your system's performance. It's about gaining valuable insights, not dwelling on potential problems. A qualified expert will: Conduct Comprehensive Testing: Identify the precise composition of your water, highlighting any areas of concern. Perform a Detailed System Evaluation: Assess the functionality and efficiency of your water treatment system. Provide Informed Recommendations: Offer tailored advice on maintenance, adjustments, or upgrades to optimize your water quality. Empower You with Knowledge: Help you understand your water system and make confident decisions for your home. This proactive approach is about gaining control and ensuring you're providing the best possible environment for your family Building a Foundation for Healthy Living: Empower Your Home with Information Don't leave your water quality to chance. Understand your water and your system to create a healthy and comfortable home. A professional water analysis is a valuable tool for any homeowner, whether you're moving in, renovating, or simply seeking to improve your living environment. Gain the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your water is working for you. -Copyright © Unlocking Your New Home's Water Secrets: Know Before You Settle In. Jordan Evangelista, HQ Water Solutions . 2025. All Rights Reserved. Facts, opinions and information expressed in the Blog represent the work of the author and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed. The Lancaster County Association of Realtors is not liable for any potential errors, omissions or outdated information. If errors are noted within a post, please notify the Association. Posts represent the author's opinion and are not necessarily the opinion of the Association.
By Lisa Naples, Berkshire Hathaway HomeSale Homeservice Realty October 20, 2025
As busy real estate professionals, we juggle multiple memberships, each packed with benefits that can easily slip under our radar. It’s time to take a fresh look at what’s included in your membership—you might discover the perfect tool you need, right at your fingertips! We rely on BrightMLS daily for listing data, searches, client portals, and launching new listings. But did you know your subscription includes powerful tools beyond the basics? Marketing & Listing Tools CubiCasa – Free Floor Plans Quickly generate accurate floor plans using your mobile device. Upload your scan, and within 24 hours , you’ll receive a detailed floor plan at no extra cost. (An enhanced version is available for an additional fee.) For Listing Agents: Enhance your listings with professional floor plans. For Buyer Agents: Create floor plans for buyers when listings don’t include them. Get Started: Download the CubiCasa app today. RentSpree – Rental Management Simplified An award-winning rental software that streamlines the entire rental process. Included Features: Online rental applications & screening (applicant pays a fee) Rental Client Manager Rental Listing Page & Agent Profile Page Optional Upgrades (Monthly Fee): Rent estimator & rent collection Stay Informed RISMedia Subscription – Access real estate industry news, upcoming events, and reports directly from your BrightMLS homepage . Monthly Marketing Kit – Found under the "News" tab , this includes: Infographics for social media Central PA Monthly Market Report Education & Training Customer Success Coach Get personalized training and technical support. Lancaster County’s assigned coach: Jena Burley | 610-205-3317 Schedule an appointment at BrightMLS.com/officehours LCAR Streaming Training (via BrightMLS Collaboration) On-Demand Webinars Access ongoing training at your own pace, covering everything from beginner to advanced topics: Getting Started: Let us take you on a tour of your Workspace! Prospecting in Public Records New Feature: Nestfully App BrightMLS now includes access to the Nestfully App, a free tool to share listings and communicate directly with buyers. Pros: Convenient for buyer communication and listing sharing. Cons: Does not include listing documents or agent remarks—so if that’s essential, stick with the MLS-Touch App. Maximize Your Membership If you’re looking to sharpen your skills, enhance your client services, or manage rental properties more efficiently, take some time to explore everything included in your BrightMLS subscription. You might be surprised at the valuable tools already at your disposal!  Copyright © It's Included: Bright MLS - More Than Just Listings. Lisa Naples, Berkshire Hathaway HomeSale Homeservice Realty . 2025. All Rights Reserved. Facts, opinions and information expressed in the Blog represent the work of the author and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed. The Lancaster County Association of Realtors is not liable for any potential errors, omissions or outdated information. If errors are noted within a post, please notify the Association. Posts represent the author's opinion and are not necessarily the opinion of the Association.
By Wendy Jo Hess, Puffer Morris Real Estate August 11, 2025
Chances are you have had at some point in your career, a client who was interested in buying a property to use as a Short-Term Rental (STR). In recent years the popularity of these types of properties has grown due to a culmination of factors. Landlords realized profit margins are often greater than a standard yearly rental. Or they can help offshoot the cost of a vacation home, with income and tax status, but still leave availability for the owner to use. Travelers have taken a shine to them over hotels, due to the ability to stay with larger groups, affordability, and more comforts like real kitchens and gathering spaces. A problem arose when municipalities realized a significant amount of housing stock was being taken over by such rentals, thereby limiting standard rental housing, which obviously drives up prices. Residents began being priced out of areas due to lack of supply. In response, local governments began cracking down with ordinances and zoning laws. You may have even read about lawsuits in large cities such as New York and Los Angeles. (In NYC new STR regulations went into effect and now the number of legal STRs has gone from 10,800 to just over 800 licensed units at the beginning of December 2023.) A detailed list of each of Lancaster County’s municipalities’ STR rules and regulations would be fairly cumbersome and could easily become outdated. It’s best to either have your client look into the areas they are interested in and do their own research or help guide them along. I would also make the recommendation when buying an existing STR, to caution your client that nothing is written in stone and zoning rules can change. Even people’s travel preferences can change. My clients bought the second longest existing air bnb property in Lancaster City, and were running it as the same, when the city decided to change its STR boundaries. The odd thing was they were still allowed to do short-term over 30-day rentals, so the new law didn’t even seem to address the housing shortage in the first place! They were happily surprised by the demand for over 30-day (it often ends up being a few months rental) housing, many travel nurses and businesspeople booked stays. If your client does their budget on proposed short-term income and then has trouble paying the mortgage when the rules change, no one wins. -Copyright © Short-Term Rental Guidelines, Wendy Jo Hess, Puffer Morris Real Estate. 2025. All Rights Reserved. Facts, opinions and information expressed in the Blog represent the work of the author and are believed to be accurate, but are not guaranteed. The Lancaster County Association of Realtors is not liable for any potential errors, omissions or outdated information. If errors are noted within a post, please notify the Association. Posts represent the author's opinion and are not necessarily the opinion of the Association.
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