Date Archives: January 2022

Our real estate agents know Liberty Hill is a great place to consider buying a home. It is full of Texas-sized amenities and sights that will delight you – the sort of things that would make anyone sit up and take notice.

One of these is the Liberty Hill International Sculpture Park. Found just steps away from some of the most desirable Liberty Hill homes for sale, it is one of the most striking and unusual examples of public art anywhere in the United States.

Let's take a closer look:

• What Is the Liberty Hill International Sculpture Park?
  The park is an award-winning public art installation that formerly resided on the grounds of Liberty Hill Middle School. It was the only International Sculpture Park in the world on school grounds. It is also one of the best-known Texas sculpture parks outside of the United States. The sculpture garden originated with a 1976 International Sculpture Symposium that was held in the town. Currently, there are 27 sculptures created by various artists from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, and the United States. In 1977, it was honored with a Texas Art Award. Its remarkable statues run the gamut from abstract to naturalistic sculptures. A variety of mythological motifs from North America and throughout the world are represented. Figurative sculptures incorporate ideas from Native North American cultures or pay homage to local plants and wildlife.
  
  
• How Do You Get There?
  The park is currently located adjacent to the Louine Noble Elementary School. Another convenient way to access it is by going through the Lions Foundation Park at 355 Loop 332. Both parks are free and open to the public.
  
  
• Who Is in Charge of the Liberty Hill International Sculpture Park?
  The Liberty Hill Development Foundation has been in charge of maintenance and safety for the park since 1991. It also collaborates with the City of Liberty Hill and the Liberty Hill Integrated School District (ISD), which has a long history related to the park. Texans and visitors from anywhere in the world are encouraged to donate for the upkeep of the park grounds and sculptures. You can donate funds directly to the park through the Liberty Hill Development Foundation, a local community nonprofit. Liberty Hill International Sculpture Park does not judge or accept donations of art from any artists, either affiliated or independent. However, the Liberty Hill Development foundation occasionally sponsors the Liberty Hill Symposium, which has been known to include art exhibitions.
  
  
• What Else Can You See There?
  Liberty Hill International Sculpture Park is well known as a venue for various public events. It has been used for live music, theatrical performances, historical re-enactment, and the Hot Air Balloon Festival, which was conceived and operated exclusively by volunteers from Liberty Hill Development Foundation.

Ready to learn more about life in Central Texas? Contact us to find out more about all things Liberty Hill.

The area surrounding Round Rock homes for sale has a fascinating history. Our real estate agents share information about local historical markers that tell the story of Round Rock's background.

• The Round Rock - Chisholm Trail St. & Round Rock Ave., Round Rock, TX 78681 
  Have you ever wondered how Round Rock got its name? Yes, there really is a "round rock" that played a significant role in the city's development. The Round Rock, located in the middle of Brushy Creek, served as a low-water crossing guide for wagons and horses used by the early settlers of the area. In 1854, the name of the settlement was changed from Brushy Creek to Round Rock in acknowledgment of its fame. 
  
  
• William M. Owen House Complex - 8 Chisholm Trl., Round Rock, 78681
  Located in the heart of Old Town, the William M. Owen House Complex is composed of two historic buildings and a recent addition. Built around 1870, the space was home to the family of local physician Dr. William Mitch Owen. In addition to bearing a Texas Historical Marker, Owen House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The complex includes the Oatts Building, a mercantile store, the city's first permanent post office, and Reception Hall, a stone building constructed in 2021 to host receptions and other special events.
  
  
• Washington Anderson House - 900 Heritage Center Cir., Round Rock, TX 78664
  While the namesake of Washington Anderson House was born in Virginia, he's regarded as a hero in the Lone Star State. Some accounts claim Anderson was more instrumental than Sam Houston in the victorious Battle of San Jacinto. Anderson also served during the Battle of Bushy Creek in 1839 and was one of the earliest settlers of Round Rock, where he was active in business and civic affairs. After living in a succession of log cabins with his wife and daughter, Anderson built a large stone house known as El Milagro, which translates to "The Miracle." This is the structure that remains today with its historical medallion.
  
  
• Kenney Fort - U.S. 79, Round Rock, TX 78665
  While Round Rock is a thriving contemporary city now, its origins were vastly different. As the furthest outpost on the Colorado River frontier during the mid-19th century, the area was rife with alligators, buffalo, and bears. In the spring of 1838, Dr. Thomas Kenney and Joseph Barnhart spearheaded the project of building the first permanent settlement in Round Rock, which became known as Kenney Fort. Four log cabins were enclosed in an eight-foot log stockade, providing protection from the dangers of the frontier for up to 15 people.
  
  
• Round Rock Cemetery - Round Rock, TX 78681
  With more than 2,000 graves on the grounds, Round Rock Cemetery offers fascinating insights about famous and everyday residents of the area. The oldest legible tombstone dates back to 1851, marking the burial site of 11-year-old Angeline Scott. Perhaps the most well-known person buried in Round Rock Cemetery is Sam Bass, a notorious 19th-century train robber who died in 1878 after a gun battle with the Texas Rangers.

Will you be a part of Round Rock's future? If you're buying or selling a home, contact us at RE/MAX Capital City to get started. 

It's not always easy to find fun outdoor activities during the winter months. But here in Central Texas, where temperatures are often in the 70s even in the middle of January, camping is always an option!

Our real estate agents are delighted to share their favorite winter camping spots in Central Texas. Each one of these awesome campgrounds is open year-round and located within an hour of Austin. 

• Cedar Breaks Park - 2100 Cedar Breaks Rd, Georgetown, TX 78633
  A picturesque park overlooking Georgetown Lake, Cedar Breaks Park offers more than 60 campsites. Each site has electric and water hookups, making them perfect for RVs as well as tent camping. Located just minutes from many Georgetown homes for sale, the campsites at Cedar Breaks Park are perched atop a series of bluffs overlooking the lake and offer a truly spectacular view. 
  
  
• McKinney Falls State Park - 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744
  Austin's McKinney Falls State Park is a favorite local camping spot, and a great getaway when you need a break from city life. You can choose among more than 80 campsites here, including developed RV sites and rustic hike-in tent sites. The park encompasses 641 acres, and its centerpiece is McKinney Falls, where the waters of Onion Creek plunge over a rugged limestone ledge. 
  
  
• Sandy Creek Park - 9500 Lime Creek Rd, Leander, TX 78641
  Lake Travis, a manmade reservoir spanning nearly 19,000 acres, is one of the great resources for outdoor recreation in Central Texas. Sandy Creek Park, nestled on the lakeshore not far from these Leander homes for sale is a perfect place to camp on Lake Travis during any season. With primitive campsites that are available on a strictly first-come, first-served basis, this park is best suited to tent camping, and makes an ideal base camp for fishing and boating trips. 
  
  
• Jim Hogg Park - 500 Jim Hogg Rd, Georgetown, TX 78633
  Similar to Cedar Breaks Park, Jim Hogg Park is a beautiful green space on the shore of Georgetown Lake. Offering 142 sites with water and electric hookups, the campground in Jim Hogg Park is perfect for RVs, but tent camping is also welcome. Five reservable group camping shelters for large groups are available as well. This park also has a popular boat launch and fishing access site and is known for excellent bass fishing on Georgetown Lake. 
  
  
• Pedernales Falls State Park - 2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636
  Located 30 miles west of Austin in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Pedernales Falls State Park is a popular destination for swimming, hiking, and horseback riding. It's a beautiful place where the Pedernales River tumbles and surges over a series of limestone slabs, surrounded by spectacular rolling hills. The park includes a developed campground with 69 tent and RV sites with electric hookups, as well as a handful of primitive hike-in tent sites. 
  
  
• Pace Bend Park - 2805 Pace Bend Rd N, Spicewood, TX 78669
  Pace Bend Park includes more than 9 miles of shoreline along Lake Travis and is known for its dramatic cliff-top views of the lake. Primitive and developed campsites are available, making this a great option whether you prefer to camp in a tent with minimal amenities, or in an RV with all the comforts of home. The park also includes fishing access, hiking trails, a boat ramp, and a beach. 

Contact us today to learn more about life in Central Texas. It's a great place for outdoor adventures all year, and our real estate agents can't wait to help you find your dream home in Austin and the Texas Hill Country. 

Moving into a new home can bring up mixed emotions. Surely you'll be excited to settle into a new space and start decorating. But you might also feel a little overwhelmed by all of the responsibilities, from packing to assembling furniture. The more prepared you are, the less overwhelming moving will feel. Our real estate agents have watched a lot of clients move, and they have some excellent tips to share below. 

• Make a Budget First
  Moving can be expensive, but there are plenty of ways to keep costs down. You can pack yourself instead of hiring movers. You can reuse boxes rather than buying them. The best way to make sure you don't overspend, though, is to set a moving budget from the get-go. This way, you can make choices that fit into your budget every step of the way.
  
  
• Get Rid of Extras Before Moving
  The longer you've lived in your current home, the more "extras" you've probably accumulated. Rather than spend time and money taking all these extras to your new home, get rid of them before your move. Donate items that are in good shape to local charitable organizations, or sell them. Recycle or discard items that are broken or too worn out.
  
  
• Create a Checklist
  Moving can feel like tackling an endless number of tiny tasks, from buying packing tape to calling utility companies. This tends to feel a lot less overwhelming if you create a checklist and check off tasks as you complete them. You'll be less worried that you might forget something, and you'll get a sense of satisfaction each time you check something off.
  
  
• Label, Label, Label
  As you pack, label each box not only with its contents but also with the name of the room it belongs in. This will allow those who help you unpack to put boxes directly in the rooms where they belong. Your unpacking process will then progress a lot faster, and you won't waste as much time carrying things from room to room.
  
  
• Pack a "First Night Box"
  The first night in your new home, you don't want to have to dig through 10 boxes to find the various necessities you need. So, pack a first-night box with just these essentials. Include basic toiletries, towels, a change of clothes, basic dinnerware and silverware, and your important paperwork.
  
  
• Ask for Help Early
  Whether you hire a moving company or ask your friends for help, make these plans early. You'll have an easier time getting friends to help you if you ask for help before they have other big plans. Moving companies often book a few weeks out, so the sooner you book them, the more flexible they can be with scheduling.
  
  
• Clean After Moving Out
  Wait to clean your current home until you've moved everything out. It's so much easier to clean thoroughly without furniture and boxes in the way. If you're short on time, consider hiring a cleaning company to tackle this task for you. 
  
  
• Pack a Little at a Time
  Start packing a few weeks or even a month before moving day. Pack the items you rarely use first. Holiday decorations and out-of-season clothing are good examples. Work your way up to packing things you use more often.

As you look at various Georgetown homes for sale, don't let the idea of moving overwhelm you. Yes, moving can be a big job, but it's a job you can easily manage with the tips above. Contact us if you're looking for a real estate agent to help you through the home buying process.