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News to Share !

The Jason Burkholder Team has affiliated with Hometown Property Sales Group, LLC! We’re thrilled to partner with Broker Jeff Bowman and his team at this independent real estate firm, where we offer depth of experience and a partnership like none other.

We plan on increasing our local community involvement, while helping sellers and buyers move forward with a commitment to making any market successful! This partnership also allows us to add an affiliation with Hometown Property Management Services, to bring you an even wider range of services.

We’re based in Lancaster and Lititz, we serve clients in Lancaster, Lebanon, Berks, York, and Dauphin counties, and we have relationships with a wide network of professional Realtors that are everywhere we aren’t. Our team is locally focused, with a regional reach and global connections to help you move anywhere you want to be.

Looking to sell or buy real estate? Call us at 717-371-0557!

Your Friends in Real Estate,

Jason Burkholder Team

——————

Jason Burkholder

Kelly Burkholder

Jaci Hoosier

717-371-0557 direct or text

Hometown Property Sales Group, LLC

717-207-8093 office

57 E Main St

Lititz, PA 17543

5 Fall Maintenance Tasks to fit in before Winter

Winter is coming…..

Ok, well, not to be that dramatic but it is fall, so winter will be here soon.  Don’t forget to take care of a few outside chores in the next month before it arrives, so you can stay indoors cozy and warm this winter without preventable problems!

Before we get to the chore list, don’t forget to follow Tom Roe Photography so you can find out where he is selling his fantastic 2024 calendars featuring scenes from Lititz PA!  This pic is in our 2023 calendar in the office, and if you want one for 2024 you can find Tom on Facebook or check out his website for order info!

  • Clean your gutters- clogged gutters can lead to roof damage and even attract pests and rodents. After the leaves have fallen, clear out your gutters (or hire someone to help!), and make sure they are attached securely to your home.
  • Detach your hoses- if you wait too long, water could freeze and result in a cracked faucet or pipes.
  • Mow your lawn one last time- cut your grass ½ an inch lower than usual to prevent pests and keep your grass healthy!
  • Add fuel stabilizer to your mower- after your last mow of the season, add fuel stabilizer to your mower’s gas tank to prevent the gas from breaking down. Otherwise, you can clog up your carburetor and have a mess when it’s time to mow in the spring.
  • Furnace maintenance- have an HVAC professional look over your furnace, and replace the air filters, before it’s time to use it! No heat is no fun, preventative maintenance goes a long way towards keeping you warm!

Need help with any of the above? We can connect you to the right person ! Give us a call or text at (717) 371-0557!

Your Friends in Real Estate,

Jason Burkholder Team

——————

Jason Burkholder

Kelly Burkholder

Jaci Hoosier

717-371-0557 direct or text

Hometown Property Sales Group, LLC

717-207-8093 office

227 N Duke St, Lancaster, PA 17602

 

Aerial view of community park in manheim township pa

Outdoor Spaces in Lancaster County – Manheim Township

Our area has a lot to offer when it comes to outdoor public spaces.   There are lots of parks in Lancaster County, there’s hiking, walking trails, and more. Spending time outside can do wonders, whether it’s for exercise, play, or leisure. Come by yourself or bring friends along!

This is post #2 in a series where we highlight the spaces available throughout the county, let’s talk about what you can find in  Manheim Township!   

Aerial view of community park in manheim township pa

Community Park (209 Petersburg Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601)- 33.5 acres with outdoor pavilions available for rent (one with a kitchen!), softball field, basketball court, two volleyball courts, playgrounds, and four horseshoe pits. 

path going into the woods

Landis Woods (2369 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601)- 70 acres with a focus on preservation! Enjoy the hiking paths and the small museum inside the Boettcher House Environmental Education Center. You can also rent the house for special events!

Jaycee Park (1031 Edgemoor Ct, Lancaster, PA 17601)- small neighborhood park with a stream, grills, picnic tables, talk tubes, slide, shaded picnic areas, and more!

outdoor community pool with kids playing

Overlook Community Campus (301 Golf Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601)- this is a one stop shop! Within 140 acres, this space includes a pool, golf course, mini golf course, library, skating rink, disk golf course, playgrounds, dog park, and restaurants.

Municipal Park (304 Clay Rd, Lititz, PA 17543)- plenty of room for sports! This park has four soccer fields, two softball fields, and a batting cage. Also located here is the police building, ambulance association, and of course, the Township’s Municipal Building. 

Skyline Park (245 Eden Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601)- home to Skyline Pool (also open to people outside of the Township!), a walkway/bikeway, lighted football field, basketball court, and volleyball court.

Reidenbaugh Park (1001 Buckwalter Rd Lititz, PA 17543)- part of Reidenbaugh Elementary School, this space is focused on sports! Four tennis courts, one volleyball court, one basketball court, two softball fields, playground, paved walking trail, and more! 

outdoor pavilion next to green grass

Photo credit: Brian Skuzinski

Stoner Park (1280 Winchester Dr, Lancaster, PA 17601)- complete with a walkway/bikeway path wrapping around the outside of the park, this space has eight exercise stations, soccer fields, volleyball court, basketball court, and a playground. 

Perelman Park (1996 Landis Valley Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601)- bring your kayaks and canoes to enjoy the Conestoga River! Or take a walk along the nature trail and visit the butterfly garden in the summer months. 

10 Tips for a Smooth Move

  1. Tubs over boxes- they’re durable, have lids, and double as permanent storage once you’re settled in. Start collecting them once you know a move is coming! Shoe boxes are also great to store smaller items inside the bins.
  2. Essentials bin- designate a tub or tote bag as the one you’ll use once you’ve made it to the new place. Put in hand soap, trash bags, paper towels, cleaning supplies, change of clothes, toiletries, phone chargers, disposable silverware, and paper plates. 
  3. Order takeout- on the topic of food, now’s the time to embrace takeout. Use it as an opportunity to try out the new local restaurants!
  4. Labels- put a strip of masking tape on each box with the appropriate label, such as kitchen, bathroom, etc. Bonus points if you list the items inside!
  5. Towels over paper- instead of buying packing paper or bubble wrap, use your towels to wrap the fragile items.
  6. Closet to go- this one you may have seen on the internet: with your clothes still hanging in your current closet, just put a trash bag over them, leaving the hangers exposed, and you can easily hang them back up at the new place!
  7. Purge BEFORE you move- dedicate a weekend to going through your items to see what to donate, sell, or throw away. No point in moving items you don’t need, use, or want!
  8. Get a head start on furniture- it can take weeks, if not months, to get furniture shipped. Try to pick out your furniture sooner rather than later!
  9. Consider a new credit card- speaking of ordering furniture, there’s a good chance you’ll be dropping some money during the move. Similar to a wedding, this is a great time to consider a new credit card with some awesome welcome rewards for spending x amount in the first few months of opening it. 
  10. Keep sandwich bags on hand- you’ll be taking apart and reassembling furniture. Make sure you’re keeping everything sealed and clearly labeled!

 

Looking for help finding your new place? We can help ! Reach us at (717) 371-0557

 

Your Friends in Real Estate, Jason Burkholder Real Estate Team

——————

Jason Burkholder

Kelly Burkholder

Adam High

Jaci Hoosier

717-371-0557 direct or text

Welcome Home Real Estate

717-298-8040 office

57 E Main St, Lititz, PA 17543

 

 

Lancaster County & Beyond- Market Update June 2023

The numbers are in- closed sales are up in Lancaster County and for Pennsylvania as a whole!  We’re still moving forward with a lot of buyers buying, and sellers selling, despite a lower inventory that has been making headlines for the last few years.   If you’re thinking of selling or buying, it is as good a time as any.  Call us, let’s talk about the headlines and numbers, what they do and don’t mean for you.  Lots of “affordable homes” are selling, as you can see based on median sales prices, and lots of folks are successfully closing with mortgages, so you aren’t losing to “cash buyers” all the time.  That myth is pretty pervasive, so we continue to try and dispel that with facts.

Let’s talk about those June numbers now!  You probably noticed, it’s almost the end of July, so why are we talking about June?  Well, closed sales are what they call a lagging indicator, it takes a few weeks after the end of the month for us to say the closings are all recorded, and the data is accurate, so, we are always a little behind.

Anyway, back to the point!   Closings are up a little, which means the number of homes hitting the market are continuing to increase a little.  Expect more of the same this year in general, opportunity is there if you’re interested in making a move.

You’ll see a bit of a lag next month, as seasonal vacations slow down things, but don’t look at that as an indicator, think of it like highway traffic when you’re headed to the beach.  It slows you down, but soon enough you pass it and get where you’re going!  June and July are big vacation months in South Central Pa and the mid Atlantic, so you’ll see it reflected in the numbers next month.

Let’s start with Pennsylvania in general: Compared to May, closed sales are up 12% overall, with a total of 12,383 for the state  (according to PAR)

In Lancaster County, closed sales are up 25%, and as always, our area outperforms many parts of the state.  Here’s a look:

 

In June, almost 70% of homes were bought with financing. You don’t need to pay all cash to get a home in this market. We’re connected with experienced lenders, with every program imaginable. Call or text us at (717) 371-0557 and we’ll get you on the right path!

Median Sales Prices and Number of Units Sold for Lancaster County School Districts in June 2023:

Solanco (15): $375,00

Pequea Valley (3): $343,519

Penn Manor (40): $328,450

Columbia (13): $215,000

School District of Lancaster (85): $235,900

Eastern Lancaster (21): $285,000

Conestoga Valley (16): $320,500

Lampeter Strasburg (17): $355,000

Warwick (26): $372,500

Cocalico (22): $319,900

Elizabethtown (26): $318,500

Manheim Central (23): $280,000

Ephrata (48): $352,00

Donegal (21): $280,000

Manheim Township (65): $425,000

Hempfield (62): $355,000

 

Zooming out of Lancaster County, here’s what the surrounding counties look like:

 

Need help buying or selling in any of these counties? We’re happy to help! Give us a call or text at (717) 371-0557

Your Friends in Real Estate, Jason Burkholder Real Estate Team

——————

Jason Burkholder

Kelly Burkholder

Adam High

Jaci Hoosier

717-371-0557 direct or text

Welcome Home Real Estate

717-298-8040 office

57 E Main St, Lititz, PA 17543

Outdoor Spaces in Lancaster County- Lititz, PA

Lancaster County has a lot to offer when it comes to outdoor public spaces- parks, hiking, walking trails, and more. Spending time outside can do wonders, whether it’s for exercise, play, or leisure. Come by yourself or bring friends along!

This is post 1 in a series where we highlight the spaces available throughout the county!

Starting with the town nearest and dearest to us, Lititz!

  • Lititz Springs Park (256 N Broad St, Lititz, PA 17543)- located in Downtown Lititz across from Tomato Pie Cafe and next to the Train Station Welcome Center, this park has a playground, paved walking trail, spring with ducks, pavilions, and band shell. Come every Thursday from 4PM-dusk from mid-May to October for the Lititz Farmers Market! The park hosts a variety events year round- read more here. While this is a private park owned by the Lititz Moravian Congregation, it is open for public use and does not receive public funding. You can support the park at their website.

Photo from Justin Mosebach

  • Mary Oehme Gardens (145 E Main St, Lititz, PA 17543)- also located in Downtown Lititz, this space is behind the Lititz Museum. Beautifully landscaped with a water garden and diverse mixture of colors, textures, and plants. Also available to rent! Learn more here.

Lancaster Online

  • Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail (WERT)- a system that connects Lititz Borough, Warwick Twp, Ephrata Twp, Akron Borough, and Ephrata Borough. See the map here! Mild grade, 7.5 miles through villages, farmland, and forested areas. 8 access points with parking and 6 restroom stops! Great for running, biking, and walking.
  • Tree House Lititz (300 W Orange St, Lititz, PA 17543)- a destination for all ages and abilities to play, grow, and explore together! This park has a soft ground surface, Liberty Wheelchair Swing, pavilion, and gaga pit. It was built and funded by the community and we are proud to be a sponsor each year! Learn more here.

Been There Done That With Kids

  • Dean L Saylor Park (183 Market St, Lititz, PA 17543)- 50 acres with soccer/baseball fields, playground equipment, biking and rollerblade trail, and stone dust trail. Learn more here.
  • New Street Park (130 N Locust St, Lititz, PA 17543)- complete with a basketball court, stream, playground, walking trail, and small pavilion!

Warwick Regional Rec

  • Spruce Street Park (corner of Spruce St & W 2nd Ave, Lititz, PA 17543)- perfect for a range of ages with a baseball field, playground (including toddler pieces), picnic tables, and a summer community playground program!

Warwick Regional Rec

  • Lititz Skate Park (201 Maple St, Lititz, PA 17543)- located behind the Lititz Springs Pool, this skate park is well shaded and has parking available.

H Rodriguez

Lancaster County & Beyond Market Update- May 2023

As we begin to step out of the “spring market,” things are picking up in Lancaster County!

Compared to April, we had more units sold, more new listings, and roughly the same number of pendings. When the June report comes out, we’ll likely see more pendings as these new listings go under contract!

What does this mean? It means there’s opportunity for everyone. Buyers and sellers. The market is active. There’s room for you too.

When it comes to pricing in Lancaster County, here’s where we’re at:

The percentage of homes bought with a mortgage has held steady this year. We’re connected with experienced lenders, with every program imaginable. There could be financing options you’re not aware of! Reach out at (717) 371-0557 and we’ll connect you with the right lender for you.

Median Sales Prices and Number of Units Sold for Lancaster County School Districts in May 2023:

Solanco (12): $390,662

Pequea Valley (9): $405,000

Penn Manor (35): $325,000

Columbia (15): $192,000

School District of Lancaster (73): $234,300

Eastern Lancaster (17): $353,250

Conestoga Valley (15): $350,000

Lampeter Strasburg (10): $381,500

Warwick (24): $386,000

Cocalico (17): $309,900

Elizabethtown (37): $290,000

Manheim Central (23): $319,995

Ephrata (25): $312,000

Donegal (17): $269,900

Manheim Township (40): $445,000

Hempfield (36): $311,250

 

The real estate market is local. Each area can be different. That’s why we include a snapshot for our surrounding counties as well!

 

Need help buying or selling in any of these counties? We’re happy to help! Give us a call or text at (717) 371-0557

Your Friends in Real Estate, Jason Burkholder Real Estate Team

——————

Jason Burkholder

Kelly Burkholder

Adam High

Jaci Hoosier

717-371-0557 direct or text

Welcome Home Real Estate

717-298-8040 office

57 E Main St, Lititz, PA 17543

Should you wait until spring to sell?

As coats are put away for good and flowers are in full bloom, the real estate market begins to shift. Spring market.  Summer Market. We’ve all heard the terms. It’s often a busy time for buyers, sellers, and Realtors. 

But does that mean you should wait until spring if you’re ready to sell now?

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: don’t let the market dictate your life. If you have a deadline, then it’s your time. List when it’s right for you. 

There are, however, some interesting numbers out there, stating that the prime time to sell is May, April, and June (in that order). Sellers received over a 10% increase above market value during those months. 

After an analysis of 51 million single-family home and condo sales from 2011 to 2022, ATTOM found the top 3 months for increased seller premiums:

  • May: 12.8% above market value
  • June: 10.7% above market value
  • April: 10.3% above market value

All that to say, the market is always shifting. There are no guarantees in how the market will behave, but we can still help! No matter the market, no matter the season, we can help you buy or sell. Give us a call or text at (717) 371-0557 !

Your Friends in Real Estate, Jason Burkholder Real Estate Team

——————

Jason Burkholder

Kelly Burkholder

Adam High

Jaci Hoosier

717-371-0557 direct or text

Welcome Home Real Estate

717-298-8040 office

57 E Main St, Lititz, PA 17543

Lancaster County & Beyond Market Update- April 2023

This month we’ve got numbers for all of Central PA, courtesy of Bright MLS! Long story short, similar to what we’ve been saying, there’s still plenty of opportunity for buyers and sellers right here in Central PA.

Don’t watch national news for local coverage friends, the numbers won’t tell you the reality here. Home sales (pending and closed) would have been, and would still be, higher if we had more inventory (homes for sale). There is still a lot of buyer demand.  Does that mean a buyer can’t compete?  No, not at all.  The reason the listing inventory isn’t rising is a multifaceted discussion, but the main reason?  Buyers are buying as quickly as they come on the market, and then those are the closings you see.

Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, we can help you navigate this market. We’ve been through the ups and downs of the real estate market and have the experience to help you.   Questions on these things and what they mean?  Just ask, we are here to help !

Let’s dive in!

If you’re a buyer, don’t let the current interest rates scare you away from buying. The interest on rent is still 100% and you can refinance your mortgage when interest rates decrease. Don’t let the market dictate when it’s time to buy, or sell, for that matter. The best time for you to make a move is when it’s right for you!

While homes aren’t sitting on the market long (7 days is the current median), that doesn’t mean buyers don’t have a chance. Work with a Realtor who can help you write competitive offers, while still looking out for your best interests. Yes, that is possible. We can help.

If you look at the column on the right, you’ll see the Home Demand Index (HDI) for each county. HDI “tracks pre-sale activity to measure housing market competitiveness.” Overall, Central PA is at a 93, which is in the “steady” range. You can learn more about the HDI here.

Now, focusing on Lancaster County specifically, here’s a snapshot for April ’23:

Again, if we had more inventory, we’d have more solds and more pendings, but that doesn’t mean you can’t buy.

Mortgages still hold the majority for home financing! This percentage has remained steady the last several months.

Hyper local, this is what Warwick School District looks like:

Median Sales Prices and Number of Units Sold for Lancaster County School Districts in March 2023:

Solanco (13): $355,000

Pequea Valley (2): $410,000

Penn Manor (27): $291,250

Columbia (7): $195,000

School District of Lancaster (55): $215,000

Eastern Lancaster (15): $282,000

Conestoga Valley (13): $307,650

Lampeter Strasburg (17): $355,200

Warwick (20): $335,375

Cocalico (14): $287,500

Elizabethtown (22): $323,750

Manheim Central (20): $323,000

Ephrata (11): $226,000

Donegal (18): $275,250

Manheim Township (36): $384,900

Hempfield (25): $340,000

 

For our surrounding counties:

Need help buying or selling in any of these counties? We’re happy to help! Give us a call or text at (717) 371-0557

Your Friends in Real Estate, Jason Burkholder Real Estate Team

——————

Jason Burkholder

Kelly Burkholder

Adam High

Jaci Hoosier

717-371-0557 direct or text

Welcome Home Real Estate

717-298-8040 office

57 E Main St, Lititz, PA 17543

The History of 225 N Broad St & The Power of the Lititz Historical Foundation

You may have seen a pretty unique Downtown Lititz home from 1869 on my Facebook or Instagram- that was one of our listings (now pending of course!) and I knew we just had to ask the Lititz Historical Foundation to get the background on it!

225 N Broad St image Copyright Dan Williams Photography

The Lititz Historical Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the rich history of Lititz. They also have the Lititz Museum and Johannes Mueller House, which are home to artifacts, exhibits, family heirlooms, and more.

You can support the foundation by becoming a member or purchasing a ticket for a guided tour of the Mueller House or their 2023 Lititz Departed Spirits Tour this October! 

The amazing volunteers there pulled together an extensive report of the history of the home and it’s owners.

Here’s what they found, click the link and take a look at the report :

225 N Broad Street, Lititz, PA

“The property where 225 N. Broad Street is located was originally part of the Nicholas Stroh farm. It included 66 acres of land north of Lititz.”

History, alive and well in Lititz PA, the community where preservation meets progress!

Not sure where to start when it comes to buying or selling?   Want to discuss your property, historic or not, and how we can market it?  Let’s meet and we’ll tell you what works best for you personally, because when it comes down to real estate, the best time to buy or sell is when it works for YOU!

Your Friends in Real Estate, Jason Burkholder Real Estate Team

717-371-0557

——————

Jason Burkholder

Kelly Burkholder

Adam High

Jaci Hoosier

717-371-0557 direct or text

Welcome Home Real Estate

717-298-8040 office

57 E Main St, Lititz, PA 17543