For Everyone

9 Jan 0

How to Stop Junk Mail

Hey friends, how many of you love getting junk mail? Would you like to find a way to get out of getting junk mail?

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A post shared by Jason Burkholder (@jasonburkholderrealtor)

It’s really actually easier than you think. The three credit reporting companies out there that keep track of everything you do, TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, have lists that they sell on a regular basis to financial companies, credit cards, auto loan refinancers, insurance companies, you name it. Watch this video for an easy way to opt out and protect your privacy!

A huge majority of these solicitations you find in your mailbox come from the fact that the credit reporting companies sell you on a list. If you want to get off that list, you can go to this page on FTC.gov and fill out the information requested. Your junk mail is going to trickle down to next to nothing, not nothing, because, you know, of course it’s 2024, you’re going to get tons of junk mail, no matter what, you’re not going to stop robocalls or all spam emails, but you can stop the credit reporting companies from selling you on lists of people that just want to spam your mailbox with mail that you don’t want, you don’t need, and things you’re just going to throw away anyway. So, you want to get rid of the junk mail? Go to www.OptOutPrescreen.com or find the link on FTC.gov

After you’re done, feel free to go to the individual credit reporting companies, TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, and see if they have additional opt out methods on their website. You might have to create an account, but go in there and turn off their ability to sell you. Just because they’re collecting your information doesn’t mean you have to allow them to profit off of it. I hope that helps, and if you ever have any questions that I can answer for you, feel free to give me a call.

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

JasonsHomes.com

For Everyone

29 Dec 0

Holiday Decor Organization

As the holidays come to a close and you begin to “de-decorate,” here are a few ways to keep your decorations organized. Plan it out, be intentional, and your future self will thank you!

1. Tubs & labels- purchase clear tubs or heavy duty tubs like these to store everything. Having items “tucked away” keeps your storage area looking its best! Labels can be printed or handwritten onto masking/painter’s tape- just make sure you have the label on the side AND top of bin! Take it one step further and use an app like Sortly, which assigns you QR codes for each bin. Scan the code and you’ll be shown photos of that bin’s contents! (source)

2. Use cardboard for string lights– avoid tangles by wrapping string lights around cardboard! It’s the perfect way to use up empty gift boxes!

3. Hang wreaths- if you’re already using a closet to store decorations, you can use the existing rod to hang wreaths, or buy another rod to have a double decker closet ! That way your wreaths won’t get flattened in storage.

4. Accessibility- what decorations or materials are you reaching for first? Pack those away last so they’re easy to pull out next season!

5. Door organizer- maximize your storage space and have an over the door organizer for wrapping supplies! Stay organized and keep the supplies within arm’s reach for all gifting occasions!

6. Reuse tissue paper- save used tissue paper to wrap around fragile ornaments

7. Purchase a tree bag- keep your artificial tree clean & looking its best

8. Declutter- with all your decorations already out, now’s the time to decide what to keep, throw away, or donate!

Ready to be in a new home for next holiday season? We can help! 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

57 E Main St

Lititz, PA 17543

JasonsHomes.com

For Everyone

29 Nov 0

10 Simple Home Upgrades, on a Budget

You don’t have to knock out a wall or rip apart your kitchen to upgrade your living space. Small changes can make all the difference !

Add some plants- a snake plant, peace lily, or fern can liven up your bathroom! Hang it from a ceiling hook, install a shelf, or have it on the vanity. Read here for plants that thrive in a bathroom. Consider shopping at the thrift store for a planter!
Swap out hardware- simply changing out handles on cabinets & drawers can modernize your kitchen or bathroom space. You can do the same for all your doorknobs!
Add a mirror- this is where we recommend searching a second hand site, such as Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp. You can find unique mirrors, of all sizes, for a low cost. They look great in a bedroom or living room! Hanging or propped up, mirrors make can make rooms appear bigger and brighter.
Lighting- there are a few directions you can take this tip:
- Add new lighting- purchase a floor or table lamp
- Swap out light bulbs- consider changing the temperature of your current light bulbs. Does the bathroom feel too cool? Does the kitchen look orange? Light temperature (color) is measured on the Kelvin scale, with lower numbers (such as 3000K) being warmer, and higher numbers being cooler (5000K)
- Spruce up light fixtures- you can change out a lamp shade, repaint the base, or change a fixture altogether! For example, your dining room light can be a statement piece.
Texturize- adding texture can make a space more visually interesting. This can be as intense as you choose- find a TV stand with fluting, or just add a chunky blanket to the couch! You can look for pillows, couch covers, or even accent chairs to mix up the texture. Thrift stores are a great place to start! The best part is you can easily change out blankets and pillows for the seasons to keep a living room or bedroom feeling fresh.
Home organization- for in and out of plain view, cohesive organization systems not only look cleaner, but make you feel better as well. This could look like clear drawer organizers, a canister set for your counter, or adding bins to your pantry. Dollar Tree and Five Below have affordable bins!
Wallpaper- peel and stick wallpaper can be used on a statement wall or for bookshelves & drawers!
Outdoor planters- add flower boxes below your windows, a hanging basket stake along your walkway, or just a planter on your front porch!
Rugs- the price varies, but again, try checking out local thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, and discount stores, such as Ollie’s
Curtains- not only are they practical for privacy, but they can help tie a room together! Consider sheerness, length, and color, depending on the room.

And of course, the ultimate home upgrade, buying a new place to start all over again is something we can always help you with!

Ready to make a move? We can help! 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

57 E Main St

Lititz, PA 17543

Ideas pulled from this article!

JasonsHomes.com

For Everyone

6 Nov 0

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

JasonsHomes.com

For Everyone

23 Oct 0

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

JasonsHomes.com

For Everyone

19 Oct 0

Fear, less

Photo by 愚木混株 cdd20 on Unsplash

“Scary times don’t call for fearless leaders. We don’t need a gladiator jumping into an arena with the hungry tiger. Instead, times of fear and uncertainty call for leaders to become fear(less) — aware of and consciously able to sort through what is truly scary and deserves careful consideration and what is causing undue stress and anxiety without being a real threat.”

That quote came out of a quick article I read, here in this link . For the sake of this discussion, replace the word “leaders” with people. After all, leaders are just people, individual persons. You are also a person.

What does this have to do with real estate? Well, if I’m being philosophical, real estate is about people’s lives. A person can’t live their life in a constant state of fear, and really, there is no hungry tiger to defeat in this story, it’s real estate. What’s there to defeat? What is there even to fear?

If you care about real estate, the enemy is misinformation, uncertainty and the fear it drives.

It makes you question everything, and end up doing nothing. It’s not enough for me to say “be fear(less)” if you’re jumping into this real estate market. You have to actually be able to fear less things. Your ability to be “aware of and consciously able to sort through what is truly scary and deserves careful consideration and what is causing undue stress and anxiety without being a real threat” is important when you’re thinking about making a purchase or sale that will change your life and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

See, if you’ve been on the internet, or listen to the radio, or watch tv, you find pretty quickly we live in a world full of threats, real and imaginary. Fear. BE AFRAID. But mostly, the fear is imaginary. Clickbait. Lots of somebody’s hot take bullshit out there masquerading as news so you click and share. Sorry for the language, but it’s true.

Not only are we bombarded by headlines full of fear, but most of them are full of misinformation, missing pieces, things that are flat out incorrect analysis and bullshit. Take these statements for example:

The market is going to crash!
Investors are buying all the affordable homes with cash
Higher interest rates mean people can’t buy.
Multiple offers are gone!
Foreclosures are coming!

Fear, sensationalism and wrong information in each bullet point. Why do I say that? Because we don’t write headlines, we sell real estate. We actually are working in the market every day, with buyers buying and sellers selling, not writing clickbait for ad revenue. Here’s the answer to each of those bullet points.

The market is going to crash! No, it isn’t, 2023 is on track to mirror prior years in many ways when it comes to closed sales, people are still buying.
Investors are buying all the affordable homes with cash. No, cash sales were only 26% of recent sales, and investors were less than 20% of sales in PA, some areas lower than 10%. Sure, there are cash buyers. But not all of them.
Higher interest rates mean people can’t buy! No, not true, people are buying all the time, like I said, we are pretty similar to last year. Interest rates have absolutely affected affordability and made payments higher, but it has not stopped the prices from rising.
Multiple offers are gone! No, there are fewer, but they are still there.
Foreclosures are coming! No, they aren’t, distressed homes are still less than 1% of home sales nationwide.

That’s the best part of working with us. You don’t have to figure out what’s true, and what’s not, in the headlines. There isn’t anything to be afraid of. You’re either wanting to buy a property or you aren’t. You’re either wanting to sell a property or you aren’t. If you are thinking about jumping into this, selling or buying, we can help you.

We know how to look at it all critically, and we’ll help you make sense of it. We have sellers selling each week with multiple offers over list price. We also have buyers winning multiple offer situations, buyers getting contracts signed with the ability to do home inspections, buyers getting contracts signed with offers that include seller help with closing costs, and buyer’s buying homes for list price or less.

We are not confused, we are not afraid and we’re ready to help you too. Call us at 717-371-0557, let’s talk! – Jason

Your Friends in Real Estate,

Jason Burkholder Real Estate Team

Jason Burkholder

Kelly Burkholder

Adam High

Jaci Hoosier

Welcome Home Real Estate

717-298-8040 office

57 E Main St

Lititz, Pa 17543

Jason Burkholder

For Everyone, Home Buyer Advice, Home Seller Advice

31 Jul 0

Real Estate Market Myths in 2023

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:

Owners with low mortgage rates will never sell. Many buyers that purchased a home a few years ago locked in record low interest rates on their mortgages. And with interest rates significantly higher today, there’s a belief that those homeowners will never give up their low interest rates and sell. But the truth is, there are a ton of life circumstances that could force a person to list and sell their home — like a new job, growing family, or change in their financial situation — no matter what kind of interest rate they have on their mortgage. Mortgage rates don’t play a role in what people want, they play a role in what people can afford.
“High Interest Rates” are keeping people from buying. No, they aren’t. In Lancaster County, closed sales are up 25%, check out our last Market Update to see those stats.
As rates go up, home prices will go down, so I should wait. Many buyers believe that as interest rates rise, home prices will fall — and, as such, they’ve been waiting to make a move until prices are more affordable. But the relationship between interest rates and home prices is impacted by a variety of factors, including demand and available inventory, and the “prices will fall as rates rise” belief just hasn’t been true in this market. The demand is still outpacing the supply, and even so, lots of people are successfully buying homes! Don’t expect this to change anytime soon, prices aren’t coming down.
The market is about to crash, just like in 2008. The prices and fierce competition in today’s market are reminding some people of the conditions before 2008. But today’s market lacks the fundamental issues that caused the 2008 crash, including bad lending practices (they were legislated out), and the majority of homeowners had little to no equity in their home back then. The recent rise in prices was driven by completely different factors — including generational trends, more than a decade of under building housing, and demand outpacing inventory — making a similar crash highly unlikely. How can I be sure? Well, how about this next point.
Mortgage defaults are at the lowest rate in 23 years. All time, historically low. According to Core Logic, default rates (people not paying their mortgages) was only 1.1% of mortgages. People have jobs, they are sitting on tremendous equity, they didn’t take risky loans to buy, and there simply isn’t going to be a “wave” of foreclosures.
Home owners have lots of equity. ATTOM Data recently put out a report that says 49% of US homeowners are “equity rich”. This means, again, it’s a great time for them to sell, and most people selling now are able to use that equity to easily move up, or move down, or simply cash out and use the money elsewhere. Prices are stable, and rising, at a much more sustainable pace this year versus prior years.

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

Jason Burkholder

For Everyone, Home Buyer Advice, Home Seller Advice, Local Real Estate Market Data

25 Jul 0

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

JasonsHomes.com

For Everyone, Local Real Estate Market Data

17 Jun 0

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

JasonsHomes.com

For Everyone, Lancaster County PA Life

16 Jun 0

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.