April 2019

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

Step into this amazing home with abundant views in every direction! The beautiful, custom stone/stucco home features three bedrooms, two full baths and one half bath sitting on 1.553 acres with panoramic views for miles. An attached three-car garage and large driveway provides parking space for you and your guests.

Step inside through double entry doors to a private study with vaulted ceilings, ceiling fan and built-ins. The dining room is accessible through arched doorways, has great natural lighting, beautiful floors and a chandelier. A great floor plan for entertaining is provided through an easy flow from the dining room, living room, kitchen and breakfast area. The well-appointed kitchen includes granite countertops, an island with prep sink,

Spend your Saturday shopping in Smithville. Start early Saturday morning with the Smithville Community-Wide Garage Sale. Participants will be found at more than 60 locations all around Smithville. Maps will be available on Friday, April 5, 2019 at www.smithvilletx.org Review the map and plan your route for the morning sales. This event is scheduled from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

After you shop the garage sales all over town, head to the Maker’s and Merchant’s Faire at EH Mercantile (right next to Subway). This event will take place from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and include handcrafted gifts from local artisans and crafters for you to purchase. Admission to this event is free.

There is plenty of time for you to attend both of these events. Make a full day of it

If you are planning to do some remodeling of your Bastrop home, you know there will be cost to go along with the remodel. Many homeowners falsely assume that the repairs and updates they make to their home improve the value of their home by the cost of the update. That is rarely true though some items come closer than others. Many updates will make your home more appealing and may make a buyer prefer your home over another but they don’t give you a dollar for dollar return. Before you decide on updates though, it is a good idea to research the return you can expect on your investment. There are different ways you can do this but none are scientific. Information is available online that has taken many years of updates into account and I am also a great