Sept. 3, 2025
Hey friends!
I don’t know about you, but I feel like we just blinked and somehow landed in August. The summer is flying by faster than my golf ball off the tee (and yes, it usually veers left).
The past few weeks have been a mix of work, sunshine, and squeezing in those little summer moments that make you stop and think, “Yep… this is what it’s all about.” I’ve been busy helping clients move into new homes, meeting with future sellers, and—of course—soaking up some patio time whenever I can.
In this edition, I’ve pulled together some things I think you’ll really enjoy (and hopefully find useful):
🐾 Service Pet Laws in Pennsylvania – What you need to know as a homeowner or buyer.
🥒 What’s Growing in Your Garden – A few favorite recipes for using up that bumper crop of tomatoes, zucchini, and more.
🏡 Late-Summer Home Tips – Easy ways to get your home ready before fall sneaks up on us.
🎒 Back-to-School Hacks – A few ideas to keep the chaos under control.
📅 Local August Events – Fun things to do before the leaves start turning.
🏘 Hot Inventory & Buyer Wish List – A peek at some fantastic homes we have on the market right now, plus the types of properties our clients are searching for.
So grab an iced tea (or something stronger, no judgment), kick back, and enjoy this month’s updates. And as always, if you or someone you know is thinking about making a move, I’m just a call, text, or porch chat away.
Here’s to making the most of the rest of summer,.png)
TAMMY
FEATURED HOME
1653 Chapel Ridge Lane, Mars, PA
Floor Plan
Schedule your private showing here.
Features:
- Private 2.16-acre estate
- Grand two-story foyer
- Custom sunroom
- Richly paneled den
- Chef’s kitchen
- Two-story great room
- Expansive owner’s suite
- Custom wine cellar
- Home gym
- Walk-out lower level access to the backyard
- 7-car garage capacity
- Outdoor fireplace
- Fresh interior paint and new carpet
- Mars Area School District
🐾 Service Pet Laws in Pennsylvania – What You Need to Know
A dog walked into a bar…joking..not joking ... .If you’ve ever hosted a showing or open house and a buyer arrives with an animal, it’s important to know the difference between a service animal and an emotional support animal — because the rules are very different.
A service animal, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, is typically a dog (and in rare cases, a miniature horse) that has been individually trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability. These tasks might include guiding someone who is blind, alerting a person who is deaf, detecting seizures, reminding someone to take medication, or helping with mobility. Service animals are not pets under the law — they are working partners — and they are legally allowed in almost all public places, including homes during showings and open houses, regardless of a seller’s “no pets” policy.
Emotional support animals (ESAs), on the other hand, provide comfort and emotional stability simply through their presence. They do not require specialized training. While ESAs can be incredibly valuable to their owners, they are not covered by the ADA for public access. Their protections mainly fall under the Fair Housing Act, which allows them in rental housing or HOA-governed communities with proper documentation from a healthcare provider, but that doesn’t automatically extend to showings or open houses unless the seller agrees..png)
For sellers, the law allows you to ask just two questions when someone enters with a service animal: (1) Is the animal required because of a disability? and (2) What work or task has it been trained to perform? You cannot require paperwork, and you cannot refuse entry based solely on the presence of a service animal. However, the animal must be under control and housebroken during the visit.
For buyers, if you have a service animal, it’s best to let your agent know ahead of time so they can notify the seller. If you have an emotional support animal, be aware that sellers are not required to allow them at showings — you may need to arrange for care during the appointment unless permission is given.
Bottom line: service animals have broad legal access rights, while emotional support animals have more limited rights that mainly apply to housing accommodations. Understanding the difference can help everyone avoid misunderstandings and keep the process smooth for all parties involved.
🥒 What’s Growing in Your Garden?
If you’re wondering what’s growing in our garden right now, the answer is zucchini… and a lot of it. We’ve made zucchini boats, zucchini fritters, zucchini wraps — and now we’re knee-deep in zucchini bread. At this point, we’re thinking about starting a zucchini cookbook or maybe a roadside stand.
And speaking of zucchini bread — forget every recipe you’ve ever tried, because we’ve got the best one, passed down from a dear family friend. It’s moist, perfectly spiced, and just sweet enough to make you go back for a second slice (and maybe a third).
MiMi’s Famous Zucchini Bread
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Ingredients:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup Crisco oil
- 3 eggs
- 3 cups grated zucchini
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 3 cups flour
Directions:.png)
- Combine the first four ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Add the remaining ingredients (except flour) and stir until blended.
- Add flour a little at a time, mixing until just combined.
- Pour into 6 small loaf pans or 1 large pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
This recipe never fails — it’s the perfect way to use up that zucchini mountain. We jazz it up with chocolate chips, blueberries or even pecans and walnuts..and have tried healthier versions with coconut oil, applesauce and monk fruit.
Now it’s your turn — what’s overflowing in your garden this year, and what’s your favorite way to use it? Send us your recipes! You might just see them featured in next month’s newsletter.
🏡 Late-Summer Home Tips
As much as we hate to say it, summer is on the downhill slide. Before the leaves start turning and pumpkin spice takes over the world, this is a great time to give your home a little TLC.
Around our house, we like to knock out a few simple projects now so we’re not scrambling when the cooler weather hits.
Freshen up your AC filters – Your air conditioner has been working hard all summer. Swapping out filters now helps it run more efficiently and keeps the air cleaner inside.
Clean out the gutters – Even before the fall leaves drop, you’d be surprised at how much summer debris (and the occasional stray golf ball) ends up in there.
Seal driveway cracks – A quick seal job before winter prevents water from seeping in and causing bigger issues when it freezes.
Touch up outdoor spaces – We love giving our deck and patio a good wash and replacing any tired cushions or rugs. It makes those last summer BBQs feel even better.
Check your weatherstripping – A quick pass around your windows and doors can save you a lot in heating costs once fall rolls in.
A little time now means you can relax and enjoy those last warm evenings without a to-do list hanging over your head — and trust us, that’s our favorite way to spend late summer.
🎒 Back-to-School Hacks
While my own “kids” are now three grown men in their twenties (and the only thing I’m packing these days is my golf bag), I still remember those back-to-school mornings like they were yesterday — the scramble to find shoes, the forgotten lunchbox, and the “we’re going to miss the bus!” panic..png)
For those of you still in the trenches, a “launch pad” near the door for backpacks, lunchboxes, and shoes can work wonders — it’s like lost-and-found prevention. Another lifesaver is creating a “snack station” in the pantry or fridge, stocked with grab-and-go items the kids can pack themselves. And my personal favorite — my sister-in-law Jill, painted the back of the kitchen door (the one they head out of each morning) with chalkboard paint. It’s their family’s command central, with the week’s schedule, reminders, and even the occasional encouraging note. Everyone sees it on their way out, so there are fewer “I didn’t know!” moments.
A Sunday night reset, where the family lays out clothes for the week, preps snacks, and checks the calendar, can also keep Monday mornings from feeling like a race. And if summer bedtimes have crept later and later, easing back into an earlier schedule a week ahead can help everyone adjust.
If you want even more inspiration, Real Simple’s Back-to-School Organization Tips have some clever ideas, and Good Housekeeping’s Lunchbox Hacks will help you pack lunches your kids might actually eat.
So while I may be officially out of the back-to-school game, I’m still cheering you on from the sidelines — coffee in hand.
Our Listings
- 266 S Rebecca Street
- 268 S Rebecca Street
- 168 Constitution Ave
- 255 N Isabella St
- 235 N Isabella St
- 213 N Isabella St
- 176 Constitution Ave
- 8010 Route 62, Tidioute, PA 16351
Buyer Wishlist!
We have clients looking for the following real estate. Do you know of any opportunities that match their needs? CONTACT US!
New!
- Home with acreage in Knoch or Freeport Schools up to $750,000 - no developments
- Log home in Knoch or Freeport, 3+ bedrooms, up to $560,000
- Farmette with 5+/- acres, in Knoch Schools up to $550,000
- 2+ Bedroom home with good bones and mechanicals in Knoch $250,000-$275,000
North Allegheny school district buyers: Looking for something in the six $650-$700,000 market prefer a solid build custom home can be 20-30years old as opposed to new construction product.
Investors: Seeking single or multi-unit properties up to $100,000 in northern Allegheny and southern Butler Counties.
Mars/Knoch Families: Looking for modern homes (around 3,000 sq ft) up to $750,000. Must have ample garage space and a desirable location.
356 Corridor Dreamers: Families seeking a modern home with acreage near Freeport or Knoch Schools. Price range around $750,000.
First-Time Home Buyers: Looking for starter homes from 135,000 $250,000 in Butler county, up to $275,000 in northern Allegheny and Southern Butler counties.
Butler/Knoch Buyers: Looking for move-in ready homes (up to $300,000) with good mechanicals.
Affordable Family Homes: 3+ bedrooms, 2+ baths in Knoch Schools. Price range: $200,000-$300,000.
Musician's Retreat: Seeking a quiet property (around $300,000) with space for music practice and a touch of acreage.
What we’ve been up to!
