The following article was featured in Lancaster Newspaper's Lancaster Distinctive Properties:

With autumn in full swing and the holidays approaching, winter can’t be far away. That makes this the perfect time to consider the maintenance-free lifestyle at Home Towne Square, a Landmark Homes 55-plus community in Ephrata.

A homeowner’s association fee takes care of worries like snow removal and mowing, leaving residents with more time to “lock and go” as they please. With Home Towne Square’s convenient location, it’s easy to take a daytrip to New York, Philadelphia or Baltimore, or many of the attractions closer to home in Lancaster County.

Of course Home Towne Square residents also have more time to enjoy their own community, which includes a network of walking paths and a charming streetscape complete with gazebo. There’s also a private clubhouse, or Towne Hall, featuring fitness equipment, a library, kitchen and plenty of space for all the social activities of the neighborhood, from parties to group meetings.

Home Towne Square evokes old-fashioned charm with its colorful Arts and Crafts homes, inviting front porches and picket fences. Landmark offers 13 one- and two-story floor plans, ranging in size from about 1,800 square feet to just over 3,200 square feet. All homes feature first-floor owner’s suites.

You can custom build your home or make a move to Home Towne Square sooner by choosing a move-in-ready home or a home already under construction in the community. Two options are currently available.

The recently completed Norfolk, at 406 Declaration Ave., offers one-and-a-half-story living and a two-car garage. The Norfolk’s open kitchen is well appointed with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops with tile backsplash, and cabinetry with crown molding. The breakfast area opens to a living room with gas fireplace and sliding glass doors that lead to a screened-in porch. The owner’s suite boasts an elegant tray ceiling, an expansive closet, and a private bathroom with double-bowl vanity and tile shower. The main floor also includes a formal dining room, an additional bedroom and bath, and a mudroom complete with built-in lockers, a closet for additional storage, and convenient access to the laundry room. The first floor has 10-foot ceilings, hardwood flooring, and Craftsman-style wide baseboards, door and window trim. A bonus room on the second floor offers options as a bedroom or flex room. At 2,647 square feet, the Norfolk is priced at $449,800.

The Wright, currently under construction at 524 Constitution Ave., is a one-and-a-half-story home with a two-car garage and flexible living space. The open kitchen features slate appliances, HanStone quartz countertops with tile backsplash, a large pantry, and cabinetry with crown molding. A cozy gas fireplace warms the living room, and sliding glass doors in the dining room lead to a backyard patio. The first floor also has two bedrooms, including an owner’s suite with elegant ceiling trim detail, private bath with double-bowl vanity and tile shower, and an expansive closet. The Wright also has flex space on the first floor that can be used as a study or living room. A mudroom entry off the garage includes built-in lockers. The home has 9-foot ceilings and hardwood flooring throughout most of the first floor. A finished bonus room on the second floor can serve as a third bedroom or flexible living space. The second floor also includes unfinished storage. At 2,437 square feet, the Wright is priced at $374,800.

Regular open house hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, contact community sales manager christineg@ownalandmark.com at 717-344-8748.

Home Towne Square is located in the Ephrata School District. Homes include gas heat and public water and sewer. In addition to snow removal and mowing, the homeowner’s association fee also covers landscaping, garbage removal, recycling, and use of the clubhouse and outdoor pool.

Directions from Lancaster: Take Route 222 North to the Brownstown/Rothsville exit, then follow Route 272 North for 4 miles. Turn right onto the Route 322 West ramp and follow Route 322 for 1.6 miles. Turn right on Hackman Road, then left into the community.