All Blog Entries by Janis Penick

Bastrop offers so much to do everyday and is full of fun events too. As more things open back up, we have seen an increase in events recently so there are quite a few opportunities for you to have fun this weekend.

Be a part of the audience and the jury in A Blood Feud Comes to Bastrop: The Killing of Arthur Burford. Bastrop Opera House will feature this performance on Friday, April 23-Sunday, April 25.

Bastrop’s Big Sit will host this month’s birdwatching event on Saturday, April 24 March 27 from 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Visit Fisherman’s Park with your binoculars to enjoy this event. This event will include bird photography lessons  

The annual Sherwood Forest Faire will take place on weekends through May 23. Each day offers more than 150 live

If you have been looking for a new home in the current real estate market, you may be ready to give up searching and put off buying a new home but you don’t have to do that. While there is no way to guarantee you will find your dream home tomorrow, there are many things you can do to make sure you are well prepared while you are waiting for your new home.

1. Make sure you are preapproved by a lender for your home purchase. Multiple offers are happening on almost all homes for sale and sellers are comparing offers quickly and eliminating them for lots of reasons. Not being preapproved will hurt your chances against those who are.

2. If you can pay cash for a home, have the documentation to show that you have proof of funds. If there are other cash

Bastrop offers so much to do everyday and is full of fun events too. As more things open back up, we have seen an increase in events recently so there are quite a few opportunities for you to have fun this weekend.

Boots & Bling Ladies Night will take place on Saturday, April 17 from 4:00-7:00 at Kragh’s Jewelry in Bastrop. This event is a fundraiser for the Bastrop Children’s Advocacy Center. Tickets to the event provide you a goody bag, appetizer, drinks plus $25 off any purchase you make.

The first Dance at Mere’s on the Colorado of the year will take place on Saturday, April 17th from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. There will be live music, washers, vendors, a BBQ cook-off and kids zone. Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased online.

The annual

Call almost any real estate agent in the country and they will tell you the market is hot. For many agents, they have never seen a market so tight with properties not just receiving multiple offers but astonishing numbers of offers and in record time. Buyers are throwing themselves at sellers with cash deals, quick closes and no inspections and still being rejected time and time again.

With all of the demand for listings from buyers, do sellers still need an agent to sell their home or can they just list the home as a for sale by owner and save the commission? Here are three reasons why you need an agent more now than ever if you are thinking about selling your home.

1. Home values have climbed significantly in many locations over the last year.

As the temperatures warm up, so do the activities around town. Pick up lunch or dinner at the fish fry, enjoy a little shopping at the Maker’s & Merchant’s Faire or spend a day at the annual Sherwood Forest Faire.

The Mini Masonic Lodge will host a fish fry on Saturday, April 10th from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The fish fry will be carry out only and include catfish, french fries, beans, cole slaw and hushpuppies.

The Maker’s & Merchant’s Faire will take place on Saturday, April 10th at EH Mercantile from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. This event will feature handcrafted gifts made by local artisans and crafters available for purchase. At this event, expect to find handmade jewelry, pottery, candles, home décor, art and many other items.

The annual Sherwood

One of the most popular areas of the home to remodel is the kitchen. Whether you are looking for a more modern look with high end appliances, an open concept for easy entertaining or it’s just time for your kitchen to get a fresh feel, there are many reasons homeowners choose to update their kitchens. Unless you are extremely handy, you will most likely choose to hire a contractor and you will need to think through that decision to carefully to select the best person for you. Below are 5 things to consider before hiring a contractor to remodel your kitchen.

1. Choose a General Contractor

A general contractor manages the entire project, such as design, acquiring building permits, hiring subcontractors, ensuring everything is completed in a timely

Bastrop is always a fun place to live but this weekend, there is so much to do, it will be hard to fit it all in. With warmer temperatures, there are lots of opportunities for outside entertainment and recreation.

Start your Saturday off with the Smithville Community-Wide Garage Sale. More than 60 households throughout town usually participate in the community event so this is a great time to pick up things you need.

The annual Sherwood Forest Faire begins Saturday, April 3rd and will take place on weekends through May 23. Each day offers more than 150 live performances and over 170 artisans along with a wide variety of food and beverage options.

The Wild and Scenic Film Festival will take place on Saturday, April 3 at the Billig Ranch Preserve

If you are thinking about buying real estate, there are many different types of properties to choose from. Many different factors will help you determine the kind of property that is best for you. Start by thinking about your lifestyle along with your interests, budget and where you plan to live along with your wants and needs.

You may be considering a property that is attached to others. There are different kinds of properties that fall into this category but the most common types are condominiums and townhouses or townhomes. If you are exploring your options in attached dwellings, you may wonder what the difference is. Here are the things you need to know when it comes time to pick between a condo and a townhouse.

While many people think they know

Spring is here and that means there is more happening around town as the weather improves and everyone is ready to get outside. This weekend, you have several activities to pick from for your enjoyment.

Calvary Baptist Church will host an Easter Extravaganza on Saturday, March 27 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The event includes a huge Easter Egg Hunt plus crafts, inflatables and a hot dog lunch.

Bastrop’s Big Sit will host another birdwatching event on Saturday, March 27 from 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Visit Fisherman’s Park with your binoculars to enjoy this event. This event will include Bird Art in the Park, which is a free art activity for kids and youth to enjoy.

Deliver Us from Mama will be performed this weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at

When homeowners start thinking about updates, one of the most popular changes is outdoor living space. With the pandemic, the popularity of outdoor living spaces is even more since many people aren’t comfortable having others inside their home. If you are thinking about elevating your outdoor living space, here are some options.

1) One of the biggest trends that has been going strong for a while and shows no sign of slowing is the outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens provide the perfect space for entertaining and keeps the heat from cooking outside during the warm months. Many homebuyers are attracted to this outdoor space and it can increase interest in your home. 

2) Another popular trend is true outdoor living spaces that include comfortable seating