April 2019

If you are thinking about buying a new Bastrop home, is it possible to be the wrong age to become a homeowner? While in most cases, age doesn’t matter when you are buying a home as long as you have the cash to pay for it or can qualify for a mortgage, there are some circumstances where you should consider your age before becoming a homeowner depending on the current phase of your life.

If you are so young that you haven’t established a career that will support you, you may want to delay making a long term commitment like purchasing a home. While you can always sell your home if you want or need to, it isn’t instantaneous when you decide to sell. If you hate your job and want to quit or lose a job or even relocate for a better one, it can take time to

Welcome to your dream home with three bedrooms, three full baths and almost 3,000 square feet. The home sits on a 0.76 acre lot in The Village at ColoVista.  The front entry is completed with beautiful stained glass windows and tile flooring is found throughout the home. The spacious kitchen provides a large butler’s pantry, double ovens, lots of cabinets for storage, a gas cooktop and additional prep sink, which opens to a large family room with fireplace. Dining space is provided in the breakfast area and a formal dining room.

The home offers two spacious master suites with large closets and private entrances to the deck. A third bedroom with a full bathroom is also part of the home. The laundry room includes a sink and storage cabinets. A study is

Bastrop and Smithville will host two fun events this weekend that you are sure to enjoy. The Smithville Jamboree will take place through Saturday, April 27 with live music nightly. Other events you don’t want to miss include a beard contest on Friday night for the fellas and the Crowning of the Queen on Thursday night. The pet show with lots of fun categories to win will take place Friday afternoon. A livestock auction and the parade will take place on Saturday. Saturday afternoon will also include washer, horseshoe and cornhole tournaments. There will be a carnival each day of the festival with armbands available for purchase as well. There is something for everyone throughout the festival so make sure you read more about it so you can be there at the

If you are in the process of saving money to buy your first Bastrop home, you may feel like you will never have enough money for your downpayment. Depending on how much you are trying to save, it may take years to get enough but there are some things you can do to help expedite the process. Here are tips that will help you get into the mindset of saving money:

Cut Your Current Living Expenses as Much as You Can

Where are you currently living? Evaluate your current situation to determine if there are any areas that you have room to cut. Could you move in with a family member rent free or for a much lower amount than you are currently paying? Could you find a roommate to share your expenses with? Even if you answered no to the first two questions, I

Welcome to your own private getaway that you will never want to leave. This unique property is tucked in the woods on 20 acres and includes two bedrooms, two full baths and 2,239 square feet of living space. The UT-trained architect artfully designed windows into the home allowing natural light in from as many directions as possible and providing tranquil views from every room and angle.

The open floor plan includes a living room and kitchen with vaulted ceilings to add an even more open fill. The kitchen includes a pantry, cabinets and open storage shelves so you have room for everything plus a breakfast bar and eating area for dining. The living room features built-ins and opens to the large back deck. Both bedrooms include full bathrooms, walk-in

On Saturday, April 20th, pack in all the Easter fun you can with three great event options around town. Start your day with the annual St. Paul’s Ladies Altar Society Bake Sale. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. in front of Smithville’s First National Bank on Main Street. The event will end when all the baked goods are sold, which is expected to be before noon. After you purchase all the baked goods you need, head over to Smithville’s First United Methodist Church for their Easter Egg-stravaganza. The event will take place from 11:00 a.m-2:00 p.m. with the egg hunt taking place at 1:30 p.m. There will be hot dogs and sausage wraps, booths, games and face painting too.

In the afternoon, head to The Sugar Shack for a visit with the Easter Bunny. Tickets

If you have decided you are ready to buy a new Bastrop home but you already own a home, it can require some planning to execute the two transactions simultaneously. Should you start with buying a new home or selling your old one first and how do you bring them together? The first question to ask yourself is if you can afford to own two homes. If you can, some people buy a new home then move into it before trying to sell their old home to make things easier. For many people, that isn’t an option they can afford so they need to handle it differently.

Start by talking with a mortgage lender to understand where you stand financially. Are you in a position to qualify for a second mortgage? Even if you don’t want to own two homes long term, could you

This move in ready home is ready and waiting for its new owner. The home is located in Hunter’s Crossing and has three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and 1,371 square feet plus a 2-car garage. This would be a perfect starter home, option for a buyer wanting to downsize or an investment property. The home includes fresh paint and new carpet.

The living space includes a spacious living room with ceiling fan that opens to the dining area and kitchen. The dining area opens to the covered patio where you will find a ceiling fan. The kitchen is fully equipped with black appliances including a refrigerator plus a pantry and breakfast bar.

The master suite includes a private bath with a separate bathtub and shower and a walk-in closet. A spacious utility room

There will be two fun Easter events in Bastrop on Saturday, April 13th. Start with the Easter Extravaganza at Calvary Baptist Church in Bastrop from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. There will be three different Easter Egg Hunts with more than 6,000 eggs, inflatables, crafts and lunch.

In the afternoon, head to The Sugar Shack for a visit with the Easter Bunny. Tickets are $10.00 and include a visit with the Easter Bunny, two sugar cookies to decorate and punch. Pick from time slots at 1:00 or 2:00 and don't forget your camera. You may purchase tickets online or at the Sugar Shack. If you are busy on the 13th, the Easter Bunny will be back at the Sugar Shack on Saturday, April 20th as well. The Sugar Shack is Bastrop’s premier choice for sweet treats of all kinds

If you are in the process of buying your first Bastrop home or a new home, you will likely have to make more decisions than you can begin to imagine. How many stories, bedrooms and baths, small lot or large lot, new or old and that’s just the beginning. Some items are just a matter of preference but there are other things that you will want to really think about before you select a home that has any of these features. There are many reasons you might choose to avoid something like its resale value, safety or just the look of it. What are some of the features you should avoid?

• Wallpaper – While some wallpaper has seen a resurgence in recent years, most buyers still don’t want it. The wallpaper that is currently popular is highly individualized and it