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Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time to get out and explore with your four-legged companions! Whether you’re in MD or PA, there are plenty of dog-friendly places where you and your pup can relax and enjoy the beautiful weather. From breweries to restaurants, wineries to pubs, here’s a list of our favorite local spots that welcome dogs, as long as the decks are open! MARYLAND 1623 Brewing Company (Eldersburg, MD) Your pup is welcome to join you for a craft brew at the dog-friendly 1623 Brewing Company in Eldersburg, MD. This family-owned brewery crafts high quality beer, hosts food trucks throughout the week and live music outside during the summer months. Full Moon Pub & Grill (Reisterstown, MD) Pet-friendly eatery in Reisterstown, MD that welcomes leashed dogs at their 12 outdoor tables. The lunch and dinner menus feature items such as wings, pub pretzels, taco salad, blackened tuna sandwiches and so much more! Reter’s Crab House & Grille (Reisterstown, MD) Beach-themed strip-mall joint (with a few dog-friendly tables!) features a fish-heavy American menu with a raw bar & tropical drinks. E.W. Beck’s Pub (Sykesville, MD) A locally owned restaurant and bar with a dozen dog-friendly tables, with food ranging from burgers and sandwiches to steak and seafood. The French Twist Cafe (Sykesville, MD) Lovely cafe offering sweet & savory French crêpes & gourmet coffee. Outdoor seating welcomes dogs! Flood Zone Marketplace & Brewery (Union Bridge, MD) Enjoy a variety of craft beers, hard seltzers, wines and cocktails, as well as pizza, wings and more. Leashed dogs are welcome in outdoor spaces, including the patio and beer garden. This pet-friendly eatery offers two pass through windows onto the patio so you can order from outside. Birdie’s Cafe (Westminster, MD) Cool, quirky outpost with a dog-friendly patio to enjoy coffee drinks & simple cafe bites along with local art. First Watch (Westminster, MD) A dog-friendly restaurant that serves award-winning breakfast, brunch, and lunch favorites that are all freshly prepared to order. The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille (Westminster, MD) Sports-bar chain with a casual menu of burgers, ribs & a variety of brews, plus plenty of TVs. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor dining area and must be kept on a leash. The Pub & Grill at Island Green (Westminster, MD) Island Green is a family fun center with mini golf, a driving range, live music and cornhole. The Pub & Grill features wings, hotdogs, sandwiches, burgers, tacos and subs. Leashed dogs are allowed on the patio from Sunday to Friday only. No pets are permitted on Saturday, with the exception of service animals. Pub Dog Brewing Company (Westminster, MD) Local brewing company that started in Westminster, MD in 2006 that has expanded to a tap room allowing you to try many of their brews while enjoying their full food menu! Leashed dogs are always welcome in their beer garden. Old Westminster Winery (Westminster, MD) A winery where dogs are welcome to join you at a table on the outdoor patio, picnic tables, or at the fire pits – the perfect way to spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying wine and artisanal, brick oven pizzas. O’Lordans Irish Pub & Restaurant (Westminster, MD) Offers traditional Irish fare, an eclectic menu, and a variety of lagers, ales, and Irish whiskey. Dogs are welcome on the ground floor patio only. Vanessa’s Corner Pub (Westminster, MD) A dog-friendly pub that has something for everyone, from their incredible selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, subs, pizza, pasta, and many other Corner favorites! PENNSYLVANIA The Gettysburger Company (Gettysburg, PA) Jumbo burgers & other homestyle classics are served with draft beer at this old-school restaurant. Bring your pup to join you at one of their pet-friendly outdoor tables and order an item off their dog menu. O’Rorke’s Family Eatery (Gettysburg, PA) Serving a delicious mix of Irish and American pub grub in a cozy and inviting setting, grab a seat on the dog-friendly patio outside and grab a bite to eat! Appalachian Brewing Company (Gettysburg, PA) Enjoy some housemade beers, craft sodas, burgers & other casual bites at this open, airy brewery. Dogs may join you at one of the pet-friendly outdoor tables when the weather is nice! Mason Dixon Distillery (Gettysburg, PA) A relaxed venue with a laid-back vibe, offering craft cocktails and global comfort food. Leashed dogs are welcome in the courtyard, which has bar service! Bay City Seafood Restaurant (Hanover, PA) Casual American-seafood cafe with a dog-friendly patio that’s a down-home option for buckets of beer & crab legs. Crabbs Tropical Treat (Hanover, PA) Nothing like going back in time and eating at a great place like this. This is a dog-friendly, drive in style restaurant serving ice cream to fat boys to pizza burger subs. Vortex Brewing Company (New Freedom, PA) Pet-friendly brewery and scratch kitchen with a wide selection of craft brews, cocktails, wine, and food. Adams County Winery (Orrtanna, PA) Dog-friendly winery where your pup can join you at an outdoor table. The bistro is open seasonally from May through October and serves wood-fired pizzas with the estate’s wines! Stewartstown Smokehouse & Beer Barn (Stewartstown, PA) Casual eatery that serves up a variety of delicious, meats, such as smoked beef brisket or baby back ribs. Bring your pup while you enjoy your meal at one of the pet-friendly outdoor tables. Stony Run Brew House (York, PA) Casual brewpub serving handcrafted beer and pub-style food! Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating! These locations not only offer great food and drinks, but they also provide a welcoming environment for our furry friends. With the decks open, it’s the perfect time to soak up the sun, enjoy delicious local flavors, and make some unforgettable memories with your dog by your side. So grab your leash, and explore these dog-friendly spots!

First impressions matter. Enhance your front yard so people will stop and stare after the first glance. The good thing is, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune! If you’re thinking of selling this year, I would be happy to help you decide which of these projects would net the best value based on my experience. Even if you’re not planning to sell any time soon, updating and maintaining your home regularly shows you take pride in owning it. Clean the exterior. Over time, dirt, grime and cobwebs can collect your home’s exterior. A thorough pressure washing can remove this buildup and restore its fresh look, potentially increasing your home’s value. Also, don’t forget to wash the windows (inside and out!) and clean the gutters, downspouts and all doors, including garage doors. Freshen up with paint. Paint is a sure-fine way to boost the curb appeal of your home and make it the envy of your neighborhood. Update your home with a coat or two of the same color or choose a new shade. Also paint the door, trim and shutters in a shade that complements the rest of your home. Remember to prep the surface area before you start painting to help the paint last longer! If you’re planning to sell soon, avoid unusual colors. Homes painted unusual shades may be appraised lower if they don’t fit in with comparable homes on the market. If you’re not sure where to start, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are happy to share our palette of suggested paint colors and give you more perspective on what changes may need to be made to your home before selling it. Consider vinyl siding. Installing vinyl siding protects your home while providing a low-maintenance, durable exterior. Available in various colors, premium vinyl options often include insulation, enhancing energy efficiency. Regular cleaning with a power washer will keep it looking new. However, monitor for signs of moisture or damage that may require repairs or replacement. Repair or replace the roof. If your roof is in good shape, hire a professional to clean and remove moss and dirt that have built up. If your roof is due for a replacement, it may be best to do so before you list it. Although the cost of a new asphalt shingle roof can be pricey, you may have a return on investment if done before listing. If you aren’t planning to sell your home soon, maintaining it may help you avoid expensive repairs in the future. Pay attention to the details. These details include door hardware and handles, light fixtures and house numbers. Polish the hardware or replace it with a style that complements the home, such as oiled bronze for traditional styles and brushed nickel for contemporary styles. Purchase new numbers with the same finish as your hardware or purchase an address plaque to affix to your home or place in your yard. Update the style of your exterior lighting. If you’re replacing lights, look for ones that have the same mounting system as your current ones. Add more lighting to increase the safety of your entryway by adding an overhead fixture or wall sconces. Enhance your landscape. A well-maintained landscape and lawn add to the home’s appeal, creating colorful dimensions and attractive lines. Mow the lawn regularly, mulch and weed the garden beds and prune any overgrown shrubs. Also, clear away any overgrown vines or invasive weeds that have crept into your landscape. In addition to mowing the lawn, add seed or sod to any bare spots you see. Add color to your landscape with a few potted plants and flowers. If you have window boxes, be sure to maintain them throughout the growing season. Build a fence. A fence not only increases privacy for homeowners, it may add value to your property as long as it fits with the style of the home and neighborhood. If you already have a fence, keep it well maintained, and replace any broken gates, latches or planks. Stay on top of maintenance. Performing regular maintenance not only helps prevent costly damage, it can also augment the value of your home. Studies show deferred maintenance may decrease your home’s value by as much as 10 percent.* Tasks such replacing missing mortar between bricks, resealing cracked asphalt and touching up faded or cracked paint may seem insignificant; however, these small imperfections may stand out to potential buyers and leave a negative impression, especially in competitive markets. Taking these steps will not only elevate your home’s curb appeal but also enhance its overall value. If you have questions or need guidance on where to start, don’t hesitate to reach out! * Source: HouseLogic.com

Fall is right around the corner, meaning cooler temperatures, leaves turning colors, restaurants & coffee shops debuting pumpkin-spice flavors. In the home, it’s all about transitioning from the hot summer months to a warm and cozy living space. What better time than now to start prepping your home for the cooler weather to come? We’ve gathered some important home maintenance tasks to get you and your home ready for the next season. Reverse your ceiling fan Here is something you may not know – warm air rises up to the ceiling fan while cool air stays close to the ground. If you reverse the way your ceiling fan runs, then the warmer air will be pushed down while the cool air is forced up.. Science! Clean your gutters As beautiful as Autumn may seem, having clogged gutters due to leaves, branches or debris may not be as beautiful. If rain gutters are blocked they can overflow, causing unwanted flooding and damage to your home. So, grab your ladder and clean those gutters out! Clean your fireplace and chimney If it’s been a few years since your last chimney cleaning, now’s a good time to schedule one. Fireplaces and chimneys should be cleaned annually and inspected about every 50 burns. Creosote and soot buildup in the chimney flue is dangerous and can cause an uncontrollable chimney fire. Before you fire up your fireplace this season, make sure it’s clean and ready to go! Check your smoke detectors With furnaces turned on, windows closed and portable heaters humming, Fall is a great time to test your smoke and CO detectors. Check the batteries and their expiration dates – smoke detectors are good typically for 10 years and CO detectors for about 6 years. Once you’ve replaced the batteries, press the test button to ensure they are working properly! And remember, the law changed in Maryland in 2018 – all smoke detectors must be 10-year sealed battery units 🙂 check with your local fire department to see if they can help you with the cost of upgrading your home’s smoke detectors! Check windows and doors for leaks Because the weather will get colder, it is important to check the seals on your windows and doors. Your home could lose a lot of heat if there are leaks, causing your gas and heating bills to spike! Store / Protect your outdoor furniture Unfortunately, the season for backyard parties is coming to an end. To ensure next year’s parties are well-prepared for and that your furniture stays intact, you will want to make sure you store the furniture away or properly cover them. Clean or change the filters Heater and furnace filters trap dust that would otherwise be deposited throughout your home. Clogged filters make it harder to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Try using a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to thoroughly clean the filters. A simple monthly cleaning is all it takes to keep your filters breathing free and clear! Test your winter equipment Fall is at our doorstep and winter isn’t too far behind. It’s a smart move to be prepared for whatever mother nature decides to throw at us this season. Avoid the hassle and check all your winter equipment now before realizing they don’t work. This is also a good time to stock up on things such as propane and firewood. A little bit of preparation can go a long way.

As summer winds down and the back-to-school season approaches, it’s the perfect time to rethink and refresh your living spaces. Did you know the average person spends about 3,680 hours—equivalent to 153 days—searching for misplaced items? (Source: The Daily Mail). Instead of waiting for a move or a major life change to prompt you to declutter, seize this time with a simple five-bin approach to make your space more organized and efficient. The 5-Bin Approach – Decluttering the home can be overwhelming. However, applying the 5-bin approach to organizing and discarding items may help you feel less anxious and more in control of the process. Bin 1: Items that need to be put away. Place items that belong somewhere else in the home in this bin. Eventually, you’ll put them away; the intention is to put them somewhere while you’re clearing the room. Bin 2: Items to be fixed. Place items that you plan to fix or that need to be washed or cleaned in this bin, such as toys, dirty clothes or scuffed shoes Bin 3: Items to donate. Items in this bin are in good condition, but you no longer need or use them. They can be given to friends or family, sold online or donated to a local charity. Bin 4: Items to be recycled. This is where you’ll place items made of paper, plastic or glass that you don’t want to keep. Add all empty drink bottles, food containers, and magazines or newspapers. Bin 5: Items to discard. Place expendable items in this bin that you can’t recycle or donate. What about sentimental items? – Many of us have items we can’t bear to part with because there’s a memory or other sentimental feeling attached. Here are a few tips for handling sentimental items that may start to create clutter. Decide if it’s worth keeping. If you use or enjoy the item, hang onto it. However, you may not need to retain every piece of artwork your children created. It can be helpful to ask a relative or friend when deciding which to keep. Choose a few items that remind you of a loved one. If you’ve inherited many heirlooms, see if other members of your family would like some, too. Donate the rest. Keep in mind; you can get rid of an item without getting rid of the memory. Take a photo of the item to place in a journal or scrapbook and write why it means so much to you. Organization tips for each room of the house – Kitchen – The kitchen is the hub of the home, and it tends to collect the most clutter from other parts of the house. Start clearing one area of the kitchen at a time, beginning with storage spaces, including the pantry, cupboards, and drawers. In the pantry: throw away stale or expired items and donate canned goods that you know will go uneaten but are still edible. In the cupboards: remove chipped dishware, as well as utensils, pots, pans and bakeware that are damaged beyond repair. Keep the kitchen clutter-free: put the items where they belong and leave a small bin to collect items that don’t belong there. Living Room – Too much clutter makes it difficult to relax. The mantra for this room is, “A place for everything; everything in its place”. Create easily accessible, permanent storage space for items you use most often, such as the remote control. Fold throws and place in a decorative basket within reach of the sofa. Sort through your electronics to determine what works and if you still use it. Store your frequently used electronics where you tend to use them. Recycle back issues of magazines or newspapers you’ve already read. Donate books you don’t want to keep and categorize the others in your library. Bathroom – Create more space in your cabinets, linen closet and on the counter. Clean out the medicine cabinet and discard outdated medications, skincare and makeup. Organize the drawers and shelves so the items you use the most are readily available. Bedrooms – In the bedroom, clutter seems to center around storage areas, such as closets, drawers and nightstands. Clear out dressers, wardrobes and closets by removing non-seasonal clothing you haven’t worn in more than six months and items that no longer fit. Sell or donate pieces that are still in good condition. Organize your drawers by function: undergarments, activewear, t-shirts, etc Separate anything that should go to the cleaner or a tailor. Depending on your bedroom, purchase a hanging storage unit or floor shelf for shoes. Remove everything from the nightstand and place items that belong elsewhere in Bin #1. Mudroom/Foyer – This is where we tend to drop things when we get home. Clear items off of the entry tables and decide what to put away, recycle or toss. Place keys in a pretty bowl or on hooks so you don’t have to waste time searching for them. Remove coats, shoes and boots that are out of season, don’t fit or need to be repaired. By following these tips and utilizing the five-bin approach, you’ll create a more organized, efficient, and stress-free living environment. Embrace the end-of-summer energy to tackle clutter and enjoy the benefits of a refreshed home.

Thinking of selling your home in the new year? Sell with confidence by addressing these 5 essential steps! – Establish Your Moving Timeline: Consider your unique reasons for moving, whether it’s a new job or expanding your living space for a growing family. Determine the ideal timeline that suits your needs. – Assess Repairs or Changes: Consult with an experienced real estate agent to identify impactful changes that enhance your home’s value with minimal effort on your part. Streamlining this process is crucial amid the demands of moving. – Establish a Listing Price: Rely on a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) from your real estate agent, analyzing recently sold properties in your area to determine a competitive and strategic listing price for your own property. – Declutter and Clean: Prioritize decluttering your home before listing, not only for a smoother move but also to present your property in its best light to potential buyers. – Implement a Strong Marketing Plan: Ensure your real estate agent outlines a comprehensive marketing strategy tailored to your property. Understand how and to whom they will market your home for optimal visibility. Our team, Elisabeth Yeager Homes and Farms Group, would love to work with you to sell your home in either Maryland or south central Pennsylvania. Feel free to call or text me at any time!

Unlock your dream home in the new year with these 5 essential things to help guide you through the home-buying process! So, you’re ready to move forward with an offer once you find a home you love. – Set a budget you’re comfortable with! Keep in mind that your mortgage payments do not cover additional costs, such as utilities, HOA or condo fees. So, coming up with a budget beforehand of what you’re comfortable spending each month will help determine your price point. – Get pre-approved with a trusted, local lender. Make sure you work with a lender that works beyond the normal 9-5 shift, and will get you a pre-approval on the at night or on the weekend while you’re seeing homes, unlike bigger banks that are closed on the weekends (and so are their staff!) We work with many great lenders and would be happy to refer to you! – Figure out what type of house you’re looking for. Do you want a fixer upper? Do you want a house that is turnkey and move-in ready? These are some important questions to ask yourself, which help determine your price point vs. area you want to be in. – Use a real estate agent that will work for you! Find an agent that makes you the priority. You should always feel as though you 100% have an advocate and expert guide on your side! And of course, we would love to be your agent 🙂 – Think of your future plans. Think about your future plans – and talk to your lender and agent about resale value down the road and about what changes you could make to add value if investment opportunity is important to you. Is this a 5 year home or a forever home? Have questions about the home-buying process or ANYTHING real estate related? Don’t hesitate to reach out!

Do you have to sell your current home in order to purchase your next property? If you need to use the equity in your current home as a down payment for your next, or you can’t hold two mortgages at the same time financially – this is called having a Home Sale Contingency, and there are a lot of people in this position! We have 3 great strategies that will not only help you successfully buy and sell simultaneously, but also protect you during the process in this competitive market. – Put a ‘Home Sale Contingency’ in your offer You can make an offer on a home with a Home Sale Contingency. We highly recommend not making an offer until your current home is on the market, and ideally under contract. That plays two-fold into our next strategy. – Add a ‘Seller Home of Choice Contingency’ when listing your home Step 1: We list your home and we let every interested buyer know that you need at least 30-60 days to find your home of choice. Step 2: This would protect you as the seller and make the buyer aware that you need to find your next home in order for them to purchase your current home. Step 3: If you didn’t go under contract on your next home during those 30-60 days, there are several routes that could be taken. A) you could mutually agree to extend the contract for the sale of your home, or B) you could terminate the contract with little to no consequence as the seller and stay in your current residence. This is a great way in this fast moving market to be able to have some time to find your next house while also giving your buyer comfort that they’ve locked down the house they want in a competitive market. – Enter into a Rent Back agreement A rent back agreement is when a seller remains in the property for an extended period of time, ranging from a few days up to 90 days. How would this work? We would list and sell your house as normal, so that you have the funds to purchase your next home. As part of your buyer contract, we put a rent back agreement in place which allows you to “rent” your home back from the buyer until you settle on your next home. That gives you time as the seller to find your next home, but you also risk not finding your next home within that rent back period. However, you would have a place to stay (at least short term!) and funds from your home sale to ensure you can make a non-contingent offer. Another strategy relating to buying and selling simultaneously that lenders have, specifically, in today’s market – is the ability to recast loans. We have clients that are looking to purchase their next home before selling their current one, who can afford both at the same time. Once they settle on their next home, they quickly sell their current home. This allows them to take the equity from their home sale and apply it to the principal of the loan on their new home. Then the lender does a loan ‘recasting,’ which is almost like a refinance but in a shortened amount of time without all the closing costs of obtaining an entirely new loan. These are some of the most common strategies that we use to help clients purchase their next home contingent on selling their current home, and how recasting your loan may be an option as well if you have the financial ability to be non-contingent. As always, feel free to check out our Facebook page – Elisabeth Yeager Homes & Farms Group or email me at any time with any questions you may have. I’m always happy to answer!