We Live Here. We Give Here. | Round Top Real Estate August 2026

August 2026 | A Letter from the Owners

August marks the close of another summer and the beginning of a new school year. Friday night lights are just around the corner, teachers are preparing their classrooms, families are settling back into routines, and our small towns begin another season filled with traditions that bring us together.

For us, this time of year is a reminder that community isn't built by a single event or a single person. It's built by neighbors who show up.

This July, we were honored to celebrate nine years of stewardship at Round Top Real Estate, proudly carrying forward the legacy that Charlotte and Grover Hillbolt established in 1988. Although much has changed over the years, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to the people and communities we are privileged to serve.

We don't simply work here, we live here. Our children attend these schools. We gather at the same football games, shop the same local businesses, volunteer alongside our neighbors, and celebrate both life's milestones and its challenges together.

That is why giving back has always been part of who we are.

Whether it's sponsoring the Tejas Health Care Back-to-School Festival to help local students begin the year with confidence, supporting the Burton Panthers as another exciting season approaches, encouraging innovation through the Round Top-Carmine Solar Car Project, or standing beside the Royer family as our community rallies around JB during a difficult season, each opportunity reflects what makes these communities so extraordinary.

One of our favorite sayings is that small towns don't just know your name, they know your heart. Seeing neighbors, businesses, volunteers, and complete strangers come together in support of one family was a beautiful reminder that, in moments that matter most, this community always shows up.

As we begin another season, we encourage each of you to shop local, support our schools and teachers, cheer on our students, and continue investing in the people and places that make this area such an incredible place to call home.

Thank you for trusting Round Top Real Estate to be part of your story. Every client we serve allows us to continue giving back to the communities that have given so much to us.

Here's to a wonderful school year, another exciting season ahead, and many more opportunities to live well, serve others, and strengthen the places we proudly call home.

With gratitude,

Frank Hillbolt,
Lilla Blackburn-Sivek, and
Lisa Mayer

Nine Years of Stewardship. A Legacy Since 1988.

Round Top Real Estate has been a cornerstone of this community for nearly four decades. Founded by Charlotte and Grover Hillbolt in 1988, the company was built on the belief that a real estate brokerage should be an active, supportive neighbor.

This month, our current ownership team celebrates nine years of carrying that vision forward. While our region has grown and evolved, our commitment to preserving hometown values remains steadfast. We are honored to continue the legacy of service, stewardship, and community investment that the Hillbolts began 38 years ago.

Investing in the Communities We Call Home

At Round Top Real Estate, we believe that being a good neighbor means showing up. Here are just a few of the ways we are investing in the communities we call home this season.

???? Supporting Students

Tejas Health Care Back-to-School Festival
We are proud sponsors of the Tejas Health Care Back-to-School Festival. Held in La Grange, this incredible free event helps local students start the school year prepared and confident by providing backpacks, school supplies, food, and fun.

⚡ Encouraging Future Innovators

Round Top-Carmine Solar Car Project
If you ever wonder what amazing things our kids are capable of, look no further than the Round Top-Carmine High School Solar Car Team! We are thrilled to sponsor these brilliant students who designed, built, and raced their own solar-powered vehicle, taking home 2nd place in the Cruiser Division at the national Solar Car Challenge! We believe in supporting educational opportunities that prepare the next generation of engineers, innovators, and leaders. Learn more about the RTC Solar team here.

???? Celebrating Small-Town Traditions

Burton Panthers Booster Club
There is nothing quite like Friday night lights in Texas. We are proud supporters of the Burton Panthers and the Burton community. Here is to another season of cheering from the stands, celebrating traditions, supporting local student-athletes, and making memories together. Have a fantastic year, Panthers!

❤️ Standing Beside Our Neighbors

JB Royer Benefit
On July 25th, the community gathered at the Round Top Rifle Hall for a benefit fundraiser for JB Royer. The incredible turnout was a beautiful reminder of the love and support that defines our area. We continue to send our prayers for healing and comfort to JB and his family.

"Small towns aren't defined by their size—
they're defined by how they show up for each other."

Back-to-School Teacher Gift Guide

As our incredible teachers head back to the classroom, show your appreciation by shopping local! Here are a few of our favorite spots across our five-county service area to pick up the perfect back-to-school gift:

Fayette County (La Grange & Round Top)

• The Busy B (La Grange):
  Perfect for unique candles, stationery, and delightful boutique gifts. Find them on Instagram.
• Cottonseed Trading Company (Round Top): 
  Ideal for farmhouse antiques, home furnishings, and inspiration for everyday living. Find them on Instagram.
• Richard Schmidt Jewelry (Round Top): Jewelry with soul, handcrafted in Texas. Find them on Instagram.
• Latte Cafe (La Grange): Superior service, personalized attention. Find them on Instagram.
• Julie B's (La Grange): Fashion boutique with style. Find them on Instagram.
• Rhinestone Angel (Flatonia): Style, gifts, and home decor. Find them on Instagram.
• Townsend Provisions (Round Top):
  A great spot for curated gifts and local finds. Find them on Instagram.

Washington County (Brenham)

• Tres Chic Boutique: A simple mission: to bring joy, style, and sparkle to your everyday life through thoughtfully curated fashion you'll love. Find them on Instagram.
• Hermann Furniture & Emporium: 
  Located in historic downtown Brenham, Hermann Furniture is the oldest furniture store in Texas. Owned and operated by the Hermann family since 1876. Find them on Instagram.
• Grapevine on Main (Chappell Hill): Eat. Drink. Gather. Wine, Cocktails & Beer. Dog-friendly and a Live Music/Event Venue. Find them on Instagram. 
• The Nesting Company (Burton): Just a little florist in Burton, Texas, established in 2004. Specializing in fresh flower arrangements, plants, crystals, antiques and home decor. Find them on Instagram.
• Downtown Brenham Farmers Market: 
  Grab some local honey, fresh flowers, or homemade treats (First Fridays). Find them on Instagram.

Lee County (Giddings)

• Ashley's Attic:
  A locally owned boutique offering a curated selection of stylish accessories and unique gifts. Find them on Instagram.
• The Grapevine Boutique: Clothing boutique with flair and style. Find them on Instagram.

Colorado County (Columbus)

• Lola & Co. Boutique:
  Trendy accessories and boutique gifts in charming Columbus. Find them on Instagram.
• Frontier Rodeo Coffee (Columbus): Responsibly sourced coffee made from 100% Arabica coffee beans and artisan roasted to perfection. Find them on Instagram.

Austin County (Bellville & Sealy)

• The Twisted Willow (Sealy):
  Beautiful floral arrangements and unique gifts to brighten any teacher's desk. Find them on Facebook.
• Bliss on Main (Sealy): Iconic downtown boutique. Find them on Instagram.
• Buck Fergeson Originals: The definition of classic, unique, ageless fashion with a touch of western flair. Find them on Instagram.
• Southern Trends: Family-owned and operated, the boutique strives to add a little western influence to the current trends. Find them on Instagram.
• The Story Peddler Bookstore: A cozy, inviting bookstore that celebrates readers, coffee, and the power of storytelling. Find them on Instagram.

Emily Shaw

Meet Our Featured Agent: Emily Shaw

There's something special about calling this area home—and no one understands that better than Emily Shaw.

When asked what she loves most about living here, Emily didn't hesitate: "The genuine people, the peaceful pace, and the deep roots that make this community not just home, but a part of who I am." It's that heartfelt connection that shines through in everything she does for her clients.

One of Emily's favorite local traditions is attending the beloved church picnics that celebrate our area's rich Czech heritage. From lively polkas and elegant waltzes to incredible homemade food and generations of family traditions, these gatherings are some of the highlights of her year. Her can't-miss favorites are the picnics at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fayetteville, Moravia Ascension Parish in Schulenburg, and St. Mary's - Praha, TX—events that perfectly capture the spirit of our communities.

When it comes to childhood memories, Emily still smiles thinking about being crowned Little Miss Fayetteville. She spent that summer riding in local parades—and on one especially hot day, she even rode through town sitting in an inflatable swimming pool on a float to stay cool! It's a memory that perfectly reflects the fun, small-town charm that makes this area so unique.

Emily's love for this community runs deep, and she's passionate about helping others discover everything that makes it such an incredible place to call home.

Fayette County

Washington County

Lee County

Austin County

Colorado County

Fayette County

Washington County

Lee County

Austin County

Colorado County