September 2019

Have you been thinking about buying a property in a rural area? Whether you are looking for a home in a rural area or just a piece of land, there are some special considerations you will want to think about that are different from buying a home in other areas. 

Probably the most important thing you will want to think about is the intended use of the property. What do you want to use the property for? Are you wanting to have any kind of animals such as horses or chickens? Do you intend to use the property for any kind of commercial activity? Make sure you know what is allowed and not allowed. Even though you own the property, it is likely there will be zoning restrictions that limit what you can do with the property. If the property isn’t zoned the way

Welcome Home! This three bedroom, two bath home is perched on a hilltop with beautiful sunset views. Meticulously maintained by its current owner, you will be able to move right in without significant updating required.

Double doors lead you into the home and allow lots of light inside to brighten the home. Inside the front doors, you will find an office. Continue into the home to the living room with large windows overlooking a fenced yard with a panoramic view you will enjoy year after year. The living room opens to the kitchen and dining area for ease of entertaining and family time. The kitchen has been updated with granite countertops and a breakfast bar. A covered patio is accessible from the living room and dining area.

Three large bedrooms

The Smithville Wingfest and Chili Cook-A-Roo is back for its second year with lots more fun and wonderful food to enjoy. Taking place on Saturday, September 28 from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Main Street in Smithville, tickets are just $15.

There will be three contests as part of the event – Wings Cookoff, Chili Cookoff and a Homebrewing contest. Live music will take place a the gazebo throughout the day. There will also be activities for the kids including a waterslide, bounce house and more. Music will be performed by Briana Adams, The Watts Brothers Band and Bucksnort Boogie Boys.

When: Saturday, September 28th 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Where: Main Street, Smithville

For more information, visit here.  

The Janis Penick Team

RE/MAX Bastrop

As September continues, pumpkin everything will start showing up in stores. From pumpkins to candy, and pumpkin spice lattes to muffins, the bright orange globe will infiltrate every store and restaurant you visit. Whether you are a fan of Starbucks signature fall beverage and start counting down for it at the start of summer or just indulge on the first cool day of the year, there is no question that pumpkin and pumpkin spice are everywhere now. If you want to add pumpkin to your life (and home) beyond your morning cup of java, here are some ways to add pumpkin to your Bastrop home in small, tasteful ways.

No matter if you love all things pumpkin or not, you can’t deny that seeing a bright pumpkin on a porch truly signifies the coming of fall. Add one

This is a gorgeous ranch property with multiple homes, storage buildings, a lake and stocked ponds sitting on 293+ acres. With so much space, your dreams are the only limits.

Located just outside of Smithville, 'The Parker Ranch - Los Robledos' offers a stately entrance with a beautiful lakefront setting for you to enjoy. The primary residence was custom designed and includes three bedrooms and three full baths with quality finishes throughout. You will enjoy spacious rooms with library paneling, built-ins, tray ceilings, a fireplace and nice kitchen. The master bedroom includes a spacious private bath. A second residence serves as a guest quarters and includes three bedrooms and one bath with exposed beams.

Additional storage and utility buildings

The 16th annual Down Home Ranch Gala will take place Saturday evening with a Down Home County Fair. The event will take place at the Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center beginning at 5:00.

The event will begin with happy hour including drinks and appetizers for everyone to enjoy. While you munch and sip, participate in classic fair games and make sure you bid on items in the silent auction. The Blake Torrey Band will entertain guests throughout the event.

After happy hour and the silent auction, dinner will be served by Urban Cowboy Southern Fusion with a menu you don’t want to miss. Make sure to stick around after dinner for the live auction plus more live music and dancing. Individual tickets, couple’s tickets and tables are available to purchase

If you have decided to list your Bastrop home during the fall season, there are many things you will want to do to make sure you home is ready for its open house. Fall can be a really cozy time of year and little touches that make those coming to the open house feel at home will make a big difference. Appealing to a variety of senses is a great way to way to catch the attention and make your home memorable to those that attend the open house.

• Serve a warm beverage such as apple cider. If it is cool outside, a hot drink will be a welcome treat as buyers come inside.
• Turn on soft music in the background. Instrumental music makes the best choice. It shouldn’t be something distracting but just something that plays quietly while buyers wander through

This two story Bastrop home is being offered at a new price and includes three bedrooms, two full baths, one half bath, 2,398 square feet, three living areas and a two-car garage for you to make yourself at home. Enter the home through the front porch or through the two-car garage.

Inside the front door, you will find the living room and dining area, which offers a great space for large and smaller gatherings. The main level also includes a family room with a fireplace and ceiling fan and overlooks the backyard. Behind the family room, you will find the kitchen with island, stainless appliances, tile backsplash, abundant cabinets and a nice breakfast area. A sliding door from the breakfast area opens to the back patio. The laundry room and a half bath

Saturday, September 14 is full of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the beauty of Bastrop in many different ways. Here are some fun activities to enjoy.

Billig Ranch is usually closed to the public but on Saturday you can visit the 667-acre ranch for several different activities between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Enjoy a birding hike, feral hog management walk and a prairie walk.

The 2019 USCA Aluminum Nationals will take place in Bastrop Saturday and Sunday. The races will start under the bridge at FM 969 and finish at Downtown Bastrop’s Fisherman’s Park. The course will travel 14 miles down the Colorado River. Different groups compete on Saturday and Sunday and there will be a youth option as well.

Saturday afternoon, enjoy the End of Summer

Homes like many things come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. There is definitely not a one size fits all approach to buying a home and you should not listen to everything you hear but instead rely on research, an experienced agent and good logic to make the best choice for you. There are quite a few commonly believed myths out there that keep people confused about real estate. Here are some things you may have heard and what you need to know.

You Must Have 20% for a Downpayment to Buy a House

This is an extremely common misconception and keeps many buyers renting longer than is necessary. While some mortgages do require a 20% downpayment and there are many reasons why this can be a good thing, there are a lot of mortgage options that don’t