Hey there! This week, Lyric’s got some puppy wisdom about waiting patiently, we’re breaking down house parts (soffits, anyone?), and tackling big real estate myths—like needing 20% down (spoiler: you don’t). Plus: the scoop on assumable mortgages, spring events, and where to stash your stuff before a big move. Oh—and did you know how many ice cream shops we’ve got in Lancaster? Let’s dig in

Community Corner

Lancaster Things To Do This Week

• Spring Fling at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm – petting zoo, spring hayrides, fresh donuts
  

• Mini Golf & Ice Cream Trail – stop at Village Greens, Scoops, or Pine View Dairy
  

• Garden Talks at Longwood – not Lancaster proper, but worth the trip for plant lovers
  

• Live Music at Zoetropolis – grab wine, food, and tunes in a cozy downtown setting
  

Lancaster East Side Market (Sunday) – fresh produce, artisans, and food trucks

Small Business Spotlight

How many ice cream and water ice shops exist in Lancaster, PA? 

I asked and began a search.  While an exact count of ice cream and water ice shops in Lancaster, PA, was not obtained I got a pretty good idea.  This area boasts a delightful array of spots to satisfy our sweet tooth. Here are some notable mentions:

Ice Cream Shops:

• Fox Meadows Creamery: With locations in Ephrata and Leola, this farm-to-table creamery offers handcrafted ice cream made on-site with milk from their family's dairy farm. ​Turkey Hill Experience+4Discover Lancaster+4Lancaster PA+4
  
  

• Lapp Valley Farm Creamery & Cafe: Located in Gordonville, they serve homemade ice cream using milk from their own Jersey cows, ensuring a fresh and creamy experience. ​Lapp Valley Farm Creamer & Cafe
  

• Likely Splits (New Holland): A local favorite, Known for delicious hand-dipped cones and a variety of classic flavors, Likely Splits brings a small-town charm with each scoop. http://www.lickitysplit.info/
  

• Lancaster Sweet Shoppe: Situated in downtown Lancaster, this shop offers a variety of ice cream flavors in a charming setting. ​Yelp
  

Water Ice Stores:

• Rita's Italian Ice: A popular chain with a location on Columbia Ave in Lancaster, offering a variety of Italian ice flavors. ​ritasice.com
  
  

• SON'S Ice Cream & Italian Ice: A family-owned business with locations in Quarryville and East Petersburg, serving premium ice cream and Italian ice desserts. ​Yelp+2SON'S+2Tripadvisor+2
  
  

While these are just a few examples, Lancaster County is home to numerous other ice cream parlors and water ice shops, each offering unique flavors and experiences. Exploring the local scene can lead to delightful discoveries for any dessert enthusiast.​

“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.”

Lyric’s Life Lesson

🐾 🐶 Lyric’s Life Lesson

“Okay listen… I know the crate feels like the end of the world. Trust me, I was in there for 10 whole minutes this week and I thought I'd been forgotten forever. But guess what? The kids came home, I got snuggles, and everything was okay.”

Sometimes we all feel stuck—waiting for something to change. Like when you're saving up for a house, hoping your kid finally learns to tie their shoes, or just waiting on that next big break. Take it from me: the wait isn’t forever. Breathe. Nap if you can. The door always opens eventually. 🐾

Nice To Know

App-y Homeowner Tools

Got a fixer-upper or just tackling small projects? These apps can help you estimate repair or renovation costs so you’re not flying blind:

• HomeZada – Track home improvement projects, get rough cost estimates, and stay organized.

• Thumbtack – Browse local pros with ballpark pricing and reviews. Great for everything from drywall to decks.

• Angi (formerly Angie’s List) – See what others paid for similar jobs in your area.

• Houzz – Great for visual inspiration and includes cost guides by project type.

• CraftJack Project Calculator – Quick repair estimates by room or job type.

Whether you’re prepping a house for sale or planning your dream kitchen, these apps give you a head start before calling in the pros.

Real Estate Things To Know

🏠 Know Your House: Fascia, Soffit, Cladding & Trim

Understanding your home’s exterior helps you catch issues early—and sound smart at inspections.

• Fascia: The horizontal board along the roof edge, where gutters are usually attached. Think of it as the "face" of your roofline.
  

• Soffit: The underside of the roof overhang—usually ventilated to keep your attic breathing.
  

• Cladding: The material covering your home’s exterior (like vinyl, brick, or Hardie board). It protects your house from the weather.
  

• Trim: The finishing details around windows, doors, and corners. It pulls everything together—and helps keep out moisture.

Just a few terms, but knowing them helps when you’re buying, selling, or just keeping up with maintenance.

🏡 Money Talk: Mortgage

🏡Mortgage Calculator
I have a calculator on my website you can check back on at any time.  It can help.  The first one is super simple and the second one is more detailed.  https://wayfaringlancaster.com/lancaster-real-estate/

💰 You Don’t Need 20% Down
Don’t let this myth keep you renting! FHA, VA, and PHFA-backed programs in PA let you buy with as little as 0-3.5% down. Let's explore your options!

📉 Mortgage Rates: Small Dip = Big Opportunity
Bond market shifts have temporarily nudged rates down. If you’re ready to buy, this is a great time to run numbers and get pre-approved before they climb back up.

🔁 Assumable Mortgages = Hidden Savings
Buying a home with an existing low-rate mortgage? If it’s assumable, you might keep that lower rate—huge savings! Let’s check if that’s an option for you.

Packing Solved!

Getting your house ready to sell? Did you know you don’t have to think of one big day and call it done!  Exhausting to all, and impossible to many!  Mover’s like Great Nation Moving makes the process feel manageable. First, they can help you pack up clutter and extra furniture—perfect for creating clean, open staging photos. Need storage? They’ve got you covered.

Once your home is under contract, they’ll return to pack up the rest and handle your move like pros. The ability to break the process into stages is a total game-changer—especially if you’re juggling kids, pets, and everyday life.

🔗 greatnationmoving.com

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.