Community Corner

Hey Y’All (I’m from the south originally, not Lancaster)! I learned that If you say "Hey Y'All," in Pennsylvania Dutch, you'd likely hear something like: "Hallo, Leit!"
– which just means "Hello, people!" or "Hey, folks!" More casual would be:
 "Ei, Leit!" or "Na, wie geht’s, Leit?"
– kind of like "Hey y’all, how’s it going?"

Well, I’ll get back on topic:

Hey Y’All, Looking for things to do in Lancaster County this week? Here's a mix of events and activities you might enjoy:

Lancaster City Restaurant Week (March 31–April 6): Explore the city's vibrant dining scene with special menus and deals at various restaurants. ​Visit Lancaster City

Lancaster County's Best Kept Secrets Tour (April 3–19): Embark on a shopping adventure featuring 44 off-the-beaten-path businesses. ​Venture Lititz

The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits (April 3–August 2): Catch this engaging show at Bird-in-Hand Stage. ​Bird-in-Hand

Ryan & Friends: Lifetime of Laughter (April 5–October 18): Enjoy a family-friendly comedy show at Bird-in-Hand Stage. ​

National Toy Train Museum: Reopening in April, this museum offers interactive displays of toy trains dating from the early 1800s to today. ​Wikipedia

Outdoor Activities:

Northwest Lancaster County River Trail: A 14-mile trail along the Susquehanna River, perfect for hiking and biking. ​Wikipedia

Conewago Recreation Trail: A 5-mile trail through scenic farmland, ideal for walking, jogging, and cycling. ​Wikipedia

Dining Experiences:

Lancaster boasts a burgeoning food scene with diverse culinary options. Consider visiting Plough, The Exchange, Luca, or the Lancaster Central Market for a taste of local flavors. ​Food & Wine

"Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil."

Mommy says it’s cute to dress me up. Yesterday, she took me to soccer practice in this ridiculous outfit. All the soccer girls were like “Awwww!” But I was like, seriously? A giant bow on my head?? I looked like a squeaky toy!

I tried to roll in the dirt to get the clean off, but the bow? Ugh—I couldn’t reach it! 😤

People always say, “Some folks treat their dogs like kids.” Pfft. My mom spoils the actual kids too, okay? The difference is—they can take the bows out of their hair! Lucky.

I gotta figure this out... 🐶🎀 #doglife #helpme #bowstruggles

Dog-Friendly Outings

I was talking with Ed Urban from Urban Property Services about places to take the family pet now that it’s finally nice out. I’ve done some blogs on this before, but it’s worth exploring again. I like taking my new dog out and about (my older dog prefers the peace and quiet at home). It’s especially fun to dress her up—cue my family groaning—and hear people say things like, “some people treat their dogs like they’re kids.” Well... my kids are spoiled too! FYI! 😄

So here are some ideas, Ed:

Dog-Friendly Outdoor Restaurants in Lancaster:

• Mad Chef Craft Brewing (East Petersburg) – Great food, cold beer, and a dog-friendly patio.
  
  

• Spring House Brewing (Lancaster City) – “Dalton’s Doggie Deck” is made for pups and their people.
  
  

• The Fridge (near Clipper Stadium) – Craft beer, gourmet pizza, and room for your furry friend.
  
  

• Rachel’s Café & Creperie – Crepes + outdoor pavilion = win-win.
  
  

• Prince Street Cafe – Right in the city, perfect for coffee or lunch with your pup at your feet.
  
  

Parks and Trails to Explore:

• Beau’s Dream Dog Park at Buchanan Park – Off-leash areas, water features, and a tennis ball launcher. What more could a dog want?
  
  

• Overlook Dog Park – Fenced and well-kept, just note it’s membership-only.
  
  

• Northwest Lancaster County River Trail – 14 miles of gorgeous riverside trail. Leashes required.
  
  

• Lancaster County Central Park – Lots of shady trails to explore with your pup.
  
  

• Landis Woods Park – Peaceful and scenic for a slower-paced stroll.
  
  

If you’re like me and want to take your pup out for some fun (and maybe a few compliments), these are great places to start. Enjoy the sunshine! 🐾

Small Business Spotlight

Urban Property Services:  We provide professional independent exterior wall cladding inspection, moisture testing, and consulting services for residential and commercial real estate, helping stakeholders to navigate the challenges of water intrusion and related damage. Providing peace of mind, and informed decision making to owners, investors, purchasers, real estate agents, contractors, property management companies, homeowner associations, inspection management companies, and insurance companies. We primarily serve the south central and southeastern PA regions, and further on a case-by-case basis. Nationally certified by the Exterior Design Institute since 1998, inspector # PA-041 - Level I EIFS & Moisture Analyst, Level II Building Envelope & Advanced Stone Certified.

“When you buy from a small business you’re not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home. You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy his team jersey, a mom put food on the table, a dad pay a mortgage or a student pay for college.”

Cookie Snack Mix

Ingredients

• 4 cups Cookie Crisp cereal from 11.25 oz. box

• 2 cups mini Oreos about 6 1-oz. packages

• 1 bag Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme Drops candy 8 oz.

• 2 boxes Cookie Dough Bites 4 oz each

Instructions 

1. Add all of the ingredients in a large bowl.

2. Gently mix with a large spoon or clean hands.

Real Estate Tips

Unlock The Door To Home Ownership:

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to go from renting to owning—just the financial side of things:

1. Check Your Credit Score

• Aim for 620+ for most conventional loans, but 580+ works for FHA

• Higher score = better rate = lower monthly payment

• Pull your free credit report and fix any errors

2. Save for a Down Payment

• FHA: 3.5%

• Conventional: 3–5% (or more to avoid mortgage insurance)

• VA/USDA: 0% if you qualify

• Also save for closing costs (2–5% of purchase price)

3. Lower Your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)

• Lenders like to see DTI below 43%

• That means your monthly debt (loans, credit cards, etc.) stays under 43% of your gross monthly income

• Pay down debt to qualify for more

4. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

• A lender checks your credit, income, assets, and debts

• You’ll get a pre-approval letter showing how much you can borrow

• Use that number to start house shopping smartly

5. Don’t Open New Debt Before Closing

• Don’t get a new credit card or car loan

• Lenders will re-check credit before closing and can pull your approval

6. Keep Track of Paperwork

• You'll need:

  • 2 years tax returns

  • Recent pay stubs

  • Bank statements

  • Proof of any gift money

7. Talk to a Lender Early

• Even if you’re not quite ready, a lender can help create a plan

• Some even offer credit coaching or low-income programs

Myth Buster: “You need 20% down to buy a house.”

False. You do not need 20% down.

Here’s the real deal:

• FHA Loans: Just 3.5% down

• Conventional Loans: As low as 3% down

• VA and USDA Loans: 0% down if you qualify

• Many first-time buyer programs offer down payment assistance

That 20% myth comes from avoiding private mortgage insurance (PMI), but even with PMI, you can still buy smart and refinance later if needed. Don’t let that old number stop you—plenty of people buy with way less and build equity as they go.

EMAIL ME to get started: [email protected] or visit www.sandraburkholder.com

Looking to buy or sell in Lancaster, PA? The Market Trends data for February 2025 is in! With only 1.19 Months Supply of Inventory, sellers have the advantage in this competitive market. The Sold to List Price percentage is at 101.4%, showing that homes are selling above asking price. Median days on market is just 5 days, and the Median Sold Price is $344,100.

Inspiration

Sandra Burkholder

EXP Realty – Licensed Real Estate Agent since 2000

Serving Lancaster, Chester, Berks and York County PA

With a passion for connecting people to their dream homes and investment opportunities, I bring a professional yet approachable touch to every real estate transaction. Specializing in high-value residential properties and commercial real estate, I combine a sharp eye for detail with a deep understanding of buildings, honed through my experience conducting insurance inspections for commercial and high-value homes. This expertise allows me to provide unique insights to clients, ensuring they make confident and informed decisions.

My career is built on a foundation of trust, expertise, and a commitment to creating community. As a Lancaster County local with a background in urban living from my time in Philadelphia, I offer a unique perspective on rural, suburban, and city lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking your dream luxury home, exploring investment opportunities, or making your first real estate purchase, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

When I’m not working with clients, I’m a busy mom to 8 amazing kids (most are adults now): 2 biological, 2 stepchildren, 2 through domestic adoption, and 2 through international adoption. I also love baking cakes, experimenting with international recipes, and spending time with my 2 cats and 2 dogs. My new Shichonpoo, Lyric, is often seen by my side, adding a bit of charm to my day-to-day adventures. I’m also passionate about weight training, relaxing with jazz and blues music, and indulging in red wine and very dark chocolate.

Let’s work together to achieve your real estate goals with expertise, care, and a personal touch!

www.sandraburkholder.com www.wayfaringlanaster.com [email protected] [email protected]

Not intended to solicit any properties already listed for sale with another real estate agent. If your home is already for sale, then please disregard this message.