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

With its old-fashioned small-town charm, low-maintenance lifestyle and convenient location, Home Towne Square is the perfect place to call home.

Landmark Homes’ 55-plus community just west of downtown Ephrata is an ideal home base for an easy daytrip to New York, Philadelphia or Baltimore, or many of the attractions closer to home in Lancaster County. And since the homeowners’ association fee covers mowing and snow removal, it’s easy for residents to simply lock and go. But there are also plenty of reasons to stick close to home at Home Towne Square.

 The community evokes the charm of classic neighborhood living from days gone by with its colorful palette of Arts and Crafts-style homes, welcoming front porches and picket fences. A network of walking paths and a community gazebo add to the picturesque streetscape. For all its old-fashioned appeal, Home Towne Square also has a host of modern amenities, including the private community clubhouse, or Towne Hall, offering fitness equipment, a library, kitchen, and plenty of space for all the social activities of the neighborhood, from parties to group meetings. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool.

 Then there are the homes themselves — a total of 11 one- and two-story floor plans — all with first-floor owner’s suites. Landmark recently introduced its newest model, The Langston, at Home Towne Square. The one-story home features an open kitchen, dining room and sitting area layout, with a family room at the front of the home and a spacious owner’s retreat tucked in the back. For those interested in quick move-in options, there are currently two finished homes and a third under construction at Home Towne Square.

The Thorndale, at 324 Home Towne Blvd., a recent entry on the Parade of Homes, features a spacious open floor plan with lofty 10-foot ceilings and a see-through gas fireplace in a shared wall between the great room and the hearth room. On the hearth room side, the wall adds a cozy touch with floor-to-ceiling stone and a built-in bookshelf. On the great room side, the fireplace has a stone surround to the mantel with shiplap above. In the open-concept floor plan, the kitchen overlooks the hearth room and a dining area with access to a patio. It features HanStone quartz countertops, tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances. The first-floor owner’s suite boasts a tray ceiling in both the bedroom and bathroom. The bath includes a double-bowl vanity, tile shower, expansive closet and two linen closets.

The second floor has two more bedrooms, a full bath and a spacious loft area that offers additional options for living space. At 2,696 square feet, the home is priced at $409,700.

The second home, The Wright, at 524 Constitution Ave., is a charming 1.5-story with a spacious front porch accented by decorative posts. Stylish details throughout the home include 9-foot ceilings on the first floor and hardwood flooring throughout most of the main living area.

The Wright features an open kitchen with slate appliances, HanStone quartz countertops, a tile backsplash and a large pantry. A cozy gas fireplace warms the living room and sliding glass doors in the dining area provide access to the patio. The owner’s suite boasts elegant ceiling trim detail, an expansive closet, and private bathroom with double bowl vanity and tile shower. A finished bonus room on the second floor can serve as a third bedroom or other flexible living space. At 2,437 square feet, the home is priced at $364,800.

The third home, currently under construction, is a one-story Plymouth at 306 Declaration Ave.

The home will feature a spacious living room that will include a gas fireplace with brick surround and shiplap above the mantel, as well as a sunny dining area with sliding glass doors leading to a backyard patio. The Plymouth also will include 10-foot ceilings, hardwood flooring in the main living areas, and an owner’s suite with expansive closet and private bath. At 2,077 square feet, The Plymouth is priced at $416,600.

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.