Mary Jo Schaffer Bandera Texas Real Estate

Main Street Bandera was unusually busy this morning, not sure if it was due to visitors staying overnite after the wrestling matches at the Longhorn Saloon, or visitors passing through on their way to Lost Maples State Park, or Hill Country Natural Area or cowboys coming to town to stay for the American Cowboy Celebration this Saturday.

There were cowboys on horseback strolling the main thoroughfare in search of something (drink, maybe) and wannabe cowboys watching them. We ran into Jeanne Parker, owner of Bandera Carriage, hanging out on Main Street with her buddy Boots. Jeanne operates a horse and carriage business in town, just the thing for special occasions -like a date with your sweetie. Today she was offering photo ops with her miniature pony Boots. For $10 your little cowboy or cowgirl can pose atop Boots- maybe she'll even stroll you a few feet or so for the thrill of your young life. I happened to snap my pic of Boots just as a wee one was examining her girth.

Unfortunately, he wanted no part of sitting on Boots- I missed the tearful shot as he ran off. I'm sure tho, that Jeanne had many takers today and didn't miss this little guy. Come this Saturday the town will be filled with real and pretend cowboys- bring your hat and best girl or guy for one fun day!

The earliest settlers of Bandera came from Poland, in search of a better place to live. The beautiful Medina River afforded them shelter and a budding business in cypress tree shingles. Many of the ancestors of the first residents are still living in Bandera, few have returned to visit and rekindle with those they left behind in the home country.

What started as an exchange of flags with the relatives in Poland, has evolved into week long visits to Poland and Bandera by decendants of the first settlers and local government officials and businessmen.

Last year, Bandera residents toured the native land, this year they came to Bandera and were treated to a week long celebration of all things Bandera. Thursday was the grand finale with a banquet at the Flying L Ranch, with entertainment provided by the Bandera High School chorus and local minstrel Dusty Britches.

Our Polish visitors treated us with a video of their town, then and now, with personal greetings from their Archbishop and Mayor. Judge Richard Evans presented each Polish visitor with a Distinquished Service Award from Bandera County, and a Betsy Ross US Flag for them to take to their town.

Though many of our visitors did not speak English, you could sense the love and enthusiasm they had for Bandera and the USA. Lots of hugs and smiles both ways, great for Bandera, great for Poland and our new friends from Eastern Europe. Plans are already underway for our trip to Poland next year.

The Cowboy Capital Rodeo Association's Rodeo will be held this Memorial Day Weekend, May 23, 24, and 25th at Mansfield Park, Bandera Texas. This year's event promises to be bigger and better than rodeos past.

The slate of events and entertainers is full, including calf roping, team roping, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing and steer wrestling. For the young riders there will be mutton bustin', calf scrambles, and stickhorse races. Entertainment will be by Amanda Payne of the One Arm Bandit & Company. For the budding chefs in the audience, there is a "Get your Cook-On" cook-off that begins on May 23 and winds up on Sunday the 25th.

Mansfield Park won't be the only hopping place in town, oh no, the local watering holes will have entertainment of their own- the 11th St. Bar will have Jeff Griffith and David Ball on Saturday, doors open 7PM $20 at the door. On Sunday, Jake Hooker and the Outsiders will light up the stage, $15 at the door. For more info, see www.11thstreetcowboybar.com.

If these guys don't interest you, Main Street Stage and The Longhorn will have their own entertainment lined up as well. For more info go to www.banderarodeo.com for times and dates of specific events.

This is one of the biggest and best events in the entire County of Bandera. The hotels and B&B's will be full, so call Aunt Ruth or Uncle Joe and see if they can put you up for the weekend, 'cause you can't miss this one!

The recent warm weather has brought more than just tourist visitors to Bandera County. Foot traffic and calls have increased just as much as the temperature.

The Statistics for the time period February 27, 2008 to March 27, 2008 are as follows:

RESIDENTIAL HOMES SOLD ; 13

ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL HOME LISTINGS; 219

PENDING RESIDENTIAL HOME SALES; 13

AVERAGE DAYS ON THE MARKET; 117

MEDIAN SALES PRICE; $212,500

To break this down further ACTIVE MLS LISTINGS:

HOMES PRICED UNDER $150,000: 66

$150,001 - $250,000: 69

$250,001 - $1M: 84

The highest priced active listing in Bandera County at this time is $950,000 for a 3 bedroom, 3 bath home on Medina Lake.

These figures are properties listed and sold through San Antonio Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service and does not include residential properties sold without benefit of a Realtor or through an agent that was not a member of the San Antonio Board of Realtors.

Go to http://www.sweetheartrealty.com/ to search all of the properties available for Bandera County.

In the New York Times Great Homes and Destination section of April 18, 2008, Robert Strauss describes the sleepy town of Bandera as "A Not-Too-Wild-West Cowboy Town". He goes on to describe how part time residents and full time real estate agents came to make Bandera their home.

Being that this article is about Real Estate, he goes on to describe what average prices are on residential and ranch property. Homes range from $105,000 for a cottage in town, to $10,000 an acre for ranches. He doesn't describe individual listings, but talks mostly about why the residents moved here and what they did before they moved here and how they feel about Bandera.

It wouldn't be an article about Bandera if you failed to mention the 11th Street Bar, or the Longhorn Saloon and the drinking and partying that goes on each weekend. The Chamber of Commerce makes sure we have plenty of special events to draw the tourists to our city.

Hats off to Mr. Strauss for his article about the Cowboy Capital of Texas and it's lure. We as residents, are thankful for the stream of visitors and potential new residents. Their tax dollars help keep our residents safe and our coffers full. Keep coming, whether for the scenery or the nite life