Ok friends, let’s shine the light on a couple myths floating around out there regarding the real estate market right now. There’s no denying that it’s a different market, and sometimes conflicting signals. But that’s kinda the case every year, and misconceptions floating around about this market, coupled with people filling airtime trying to “predict” what’s going to happen next aren’t making things any easier.
So what, exactly, are those misconceptions, and why are they incorrect? Let’s discuss some of the common myths in today’s housing market that are hurting both buyers and sellers, including:
So, what does it all mean for you? Exactly what we have been saying. Now is a good a time to buy, or sell, as any. People move because they want to, or need to, and despite headlines to the contrary, yes you can buy. We are helping people do it all the time. We can help you too. Let’s talk about it.
Looking to sell or buy anywhere in Central Pa? Call 717-371-0557!
Your Friends in Real Estate,
Jason Burkholder Real Estate Team
Jason Burkholder
Kelly Burkholder
Adam High
Jaci Hoosier
———————-
Jason Burkholder
AB066232
717-371-0557 direct or text
Associate Broker
Realtor, e-Pro, RENE, AHWD
Certified Marketing Specialist
C2EX Endorsed, Certified Ally
Jason Burkholder Real Estate Team
Welcome Home Real Estate
717-298-8040 office
57 E Main St
Lititz, Pa 17543
www.JasonsHomes.com
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
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!
Photo from Justin Mosebach
Lancaster Online
Been There Done That With Kids
Warwick Regional Rec
Warwick Regional Rec
H Rodriguez
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
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
You’re getting quotes for a new patio and wondering- is it worth it? Will I enjoy it? Will this add value when it comes time to sell?
Short answer: if it will bring you joy, then it’s worth it. You own the house. Do what makes you happy!
Long answer: if you want to consider resale value, consider the following numbers-
For all of these projects, on a joy scale of 1-10, homeowners gave each of them a 9 or higher. In ground pools and landscape lighting were both at 10!
Whether you want to remodel for aesthetics, functionality, or just because it makes you happy, do it!
Need a contractor recommendation? Give us a call at (717) 371-0557 and we’ll be happy to connect you with a local professional!
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
The real estate market is local. There is no national real estate market, just like there is no national weather forecast. Well. There is a “national” weather forecast, it’s just that 99% of it simply doesn’t affect you here in Lancaster County. Wherever you are, always get the local numbers and make decisions based on that. Lucky for you, we have those local numbers!
Did you know that 50% of homes sold for under $300,000 in January? Despite the headlines, buying is within reach.
Again, not everything you hear is true. It’s not all cash buyers out there. The majority of sales are still done with a mortgage. Not sure what your financing options are? We partner with a variety of local lenders, who have every program imaginable, for any buyer’s situation. We’ll connect you with the one that’s right for you! Give us a call or text us at (717) 371-0557 !
Getting more local, here are some numbers for Warwick, and the median sales price for all the school districts in Lancaster County for January. The median sales price is a point where the exact middle is. The median is where you find half the sales under that price, and half the sales over it.
Median Sales Prices for Lancaster County School Districts in January 2023:
Solanco: $284,500
Pequea Valley: $442,500
Penn Manor: $250,000
Columbia: $210,000
School District of Lancaster: $222,500
East Lancaster: $265,000
Conestoga Valley: $267,500
Lampeter Strasburg: $380,000
Cocalico: $322,450
Elizabethtown: $297,000
Manheim Central: $330,500
Ephrata: $227,500
Donegal: $238,000
Manheim Township: $390,000
Not sure where to start when it comes to buying or selling? Want to discuss these numbers and how they affect you? We can help! 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! Don’t let the market dictate your life.
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
You’ve likely heard all of these terms before and have wondered if they can be used interchangeably. Realtor.com breaks it down this way:
Real estate agent- “someone who has a professional real estate license to help people buy, sell, or rent all sorts of housing and real estate.”
“To get that license, states generally have education requirements, which include pre licensing training.” These requirements vary from state to state. To earn their license, agents must pass a written exam.
Real Estate Broker- “A real estate broker is someone who has taken education beyond the agent level as required by state laws and passed a broker’s license exam.”
“Similar to real estate agent exams, each state sets its own broker education and exam requirements.” A certain amount of experience is necessary to take the broker’s exam. In Pennsylvania, that’s a minimum of 3 years, a specific number of closed transactions and an additional requirement of 240 hours of education.
On top of that, there are 3 different types of brokers. Principal/designated broker, managing broker, and associate broker.
Realtor- This one’s pretty straightforward. “In the real estate industry, in order to become a Realtor—a licensed agent with the ability to use that widely respected title—an agent needs to be a member of the National Association of Realtors®. As a member, a person subscribes to the standards of the association and its code of ethics.”
Beyond those titles, a Realtor® can also earn designations and certifications through the National Association of Realtors (NAR). These are the acronyms listed after a Realtor’s name, such as CMS, CCIM, etc.
NAR provides “provide a wide range of programs and services that help members increase their skills, proficiency, and knowledge…Real estate designations and certifications through NAR are specialized credentials for REALTORS®.”
What’s the difference between a designation and certification? A Realtor pays annual dues for a designation, where as a certification only requires an application fee.
Here are a few examples of designations an agent can earn:
And some examples of certifications:
You can read more about the designations and certifications by going to NAR’s article here.
Fun fact, Jason earned his Associates Broker’s license in 2007, and has these designations/certifications:
e-Pro, Real Estate Negotiation Expert, At Home With Diversity, Certified Marketing Specialist, is a LGBTQA Real Estate Alliance Certified Ally and is C2EX Endorsed by the National Association of Realtors.
Looking to buy or sell in Central PA? 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
Take some pressure off yourself- hidden kitchen storage is coming back! You can hide that mismatched dishware behind closed cabinet doors, rather than displaying it on open shelving.
According to fixr.com, 53% of designers say that hidden storage in the kitchen will be a 2023 trend.
Make the most of your kitchen cabinets by considering the following:
For next to your oven…
Blind corner space- add cabinet pullouts or half moon lazy susan!
For next to your fridge- a pull-out pantry! Great for spices, cans, bottles, foil, Ziploc bags, and more!
A solution for the second-most disorganized cabinet (Tupperware takes first place)- sliding rack for pots and pans!
For the lids, use Command Hooks on the inside of your cabinet door. Thekitchn.com suggests “You’ll just need two Command Hooks per lid, and you’ll want to work out your positioning before you start sticking things on. Once you have a general idea where things should go so that the cabinet can still close, affix a hook at 8:00 and 4:00 (pretending your lid is a clock face) and slide your lid in.”
No tools required- drawer organizers!
Your appliances deserve a built-in garage:
For more ideas, check out this article or browse Pinterest- the options are endless.
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
We all want a tidy home with no clutter, but most of us don’t have the hours to dedicate to deep clean-outs. The solution: finding moments in your daily life for a few minutes of organization.
Waiting for water to boil- go through your kitchen utensils and decide what to keep, donate, or throw away. You can also wipe down your microwave, counters, or clear out any old leftovers in the fridge.
Grabbing a Tupperware container with no lid- time to admit defeat and throw it away. Same goes for any lids without a match!
Brushing your teeth- clear out your medicine chest and vanity of expired medications and cosmetics.
Breaking down an Amazon box- keep it as a donation box! Give Back Box allows you to donate and ship your unwanted clothing and household goods to charity, for FREE!
Putting away laundry- throw out any lone socks or other item of clothing that’s past its prime.
Letting your conditioner sit- sort through body washes, shampoos, conditioner, old razors, bath poofs, and anything else that’s taking up real estate in your shower.
Watching TV- go through junk mail, magazines, and circulars
Putting clean sheets on the bed- if you’re avoiding another set of sheets, ask yourself why. Are they scratchy? Ugly? Decide whether to donate or throw away! Keep in mind that animal shelters will happily accept bedding and towels!
On hold with customer service- go through your junk drawer!
Hanging up your coat- are there any that could be donated? Thrown away? Sold?
Rome wasn’t built in a day and your house won’t be clutter free tomorrow, but chipping away bit by bit is manageable and adds up!
Source: houselogic.com
Looking to buy or sell in Central PA? 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
