About

OUR STORY

In 1973, Bill Bartlett made what he'd later call the second best decision of his life: leaving a promising career in life insurance with Farm Bureau in Brownwood, Texas to open his own real estate office in Belton. His first best decision, he'd always say, was marrying Ruth.

That leap of faith became Bill Bartlett Real Estate, built on a straightforward belief: work with integrity, invest in your community, and do right by the people who trust you. It's a philosophy that has shaped every decision this company has made in the fifty-plus years since.

In 1982, we moved our office from Belton to Salado. A decade later, in 1992, we joined CENTURY 21, becoming the brokerage known today as CENTURY 21 Bill Bartlett. What hasn't changed through any of it is the standard we hold ourselves to, or the pride we take in being part of Salado.

Today, the brokerage Bill Bartlett founded is a three-generation family business with six full-service agents covering the full breadth of Central Texas real estate — residential, luxury, farm and ranch, land, and commercial properties throughout Salado and Bell County, including Belton, Temple, and Holland. We're a small, close-knit office, and that's intentional. Every agent here shares the same commitment to professionalism, continuing education, and genuine client care that this company was built on. When you work with one of us, you're working with someone who is fully invested in your outcome, not just your transaction.

Our reputation in this community wasn't handed to us. It was built one client, one relationship, and one honest deal at a time, over more than five decades. We're grateful for it, and we don't take it for granted.

Whether you're buying your first home, selling a family property, searching for the right piece of land, or exploring a commercial opportunity in Central Texas, we'd be honored to help.

OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Residential
• Luxury Homes & Estates
• Farm & Ranch Properties
• Lots & Small Acreage
• Commercial Properties
• New Construction (Custom Homes & Spec Homes) - Buyer & Builder Representation
• First Time Home Buyers
• Downsizing
• Exchanges & Reverse Exchanges
• Military Relocation
• Investment Property

OUR AGENTS

Melanie Kirchmeier

Broker/Owner  |  37 Years of Experience

A Salado native and daughter of founder Bill Bartlett, Melanie has been at the heart of this company for nearly four decades — and it shows in everything she does. After earning her Business Administration degree from Southwestern University and spending several years in banking, she followed in her father's footsteps and earned her real estate license in 1989, never looking back. Melanie holds the “Certified Residential Specialist” (CRS), Accredited Buyer Representative” (ABR) and “Graduate, REALTOR® Institute” (GRI) designations, was named Realtor of the Year in 2014, and has served in nearly every leadership role at the Temple-Belton Board of Realtors. A devoted grandmother, tireless community volunteer, and seasoned negotiator, Melanie specializes in residential, luxury, investment, and commercial properties. She brings wisdom and drive to everything she does, ensuring the highest standard of care not only for her clients, but all who buy and sell with C21BB.

Sue Ellen Slagel

Broker Associate  |  27 Years of Experience

Sue Ellen Slagel is Bill Bartlett's daughter, a Baylor University graduate with a degree in Accounting, and a former CPA who brings an extraordinary level of financial precision and care to every deal she handles. She returned to Salado in 1998 and has been an active agent ever since, earning her Broker's license in 2000 along with designations including the “Certified Residential Specialist” (CRS), Accredited Buyer Representative” (ABR), and “Seniors Real Estate Specialist” (SRES). Sue Ellen's philosophy is simple: real estate isn't just a transaction — it's the beginning of a lifelong friendship. That philosophy shines through in the warmth she brings to the real estate experience. When she's not helping buyers and sellers, she's baking, crafting, and being "Curly" to her grandchildren, which she'll tell you is the best job she's ever had.

Paul Schoenrock

Accredited Land Consultant  |  20 Years of Experience

Paul grew up farming and ranching near Holland, Texas, and has spent his entire life understanding the land, making him one of the most knowledgeable and sought-after land specialists in Bell County. He earned his real estate license in 2006 after years of buying and selling agricultural properties himself and holds the prestigious “Accredited Land Consultant” (ALC) designation through the REALTORS® Land Institute. Paul's expertise spans lots and land, farm and ranch, new construction, and commercial transactions, and he has a strong track record working with builders, developers, surveyors, and local governments through every stage of the development process. Off the clock, you'll find him enjoying time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, as well as small-town Texas life.

Savannah Hennig

Broker Associate  |  12 Years of Experience

Savannah is the third generation of the Bartlett family in real estate, and she brought every bit of her Summa Cum Laude accounting degree and five years in corporate finance to the table when she joined the team in 2014. A Salado High School Salutatorian and Abilene Christian University graduate with a perfect 4.0, she channels that same sharp mind into guiding clients through everything from first-time home purchases to luxury sales. Savannah holds the “Military Relocation Professional” (MRP) designation, is a current trustee on the Salado ISD School Board, and has consistently earned CENTURY 21's top Quality Service and production awards. At home, she and her husband Garrison are raising two kids, cheering on the Aggies, and staying deeply rooted in their church community.

Beverly Wallace

Broker Associate  |  10 Years of Experience

Beverly Wallace brings one of the most uniquely diverse professional backgrounds of any agent you'll meet: 16 years as a secondary math teacher, a State Certified General Appraiser (the highest appraiser designation possible), and owner of a successful photography business. After joining CENTURY 21 Bill Bartlett in 2015, that combination of analytical precision and eye for detail has made her exceptionally effective for both buyers and sellers. She specializes in residential and investment properties, and her clients consistently praise her patience, thoroughness, and calm advocacy from start to finish. Beverly and her husband Frank are Salado fixtures, deeply involved at First Baptist Church. They are constantly adding new adventures to their list (all 50 states, 40+ countries, and counting), and fulfilling their love for baseball through their three grandsons Little League games and MLB ballpark visits (crossing almost all of them off their bucket list).

Heath Haverland

Broker Associate  |  9 Years of Experience

Heath Haverland spent a decade as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Killeen Fire Department before channeling that same calm-under-pressure, solutions-first mindset into real estate in 2016. Originally from Taylor, Texas, and a University of Mary Hardin-Baylor graduate and collegiate baseball player, Heath moved his family to Salado in 2020 and quickly became a trusted presence in the community — serving on the Salado Mills HOA board, Salado Youth Baseball & Softball board, and staying deeply involved in local civic life. He specializes in residential homes, lots and land, and new construction, and is known for being highly responsive, straightforward, and genuinely in his clients' corner every step of the way. When he’s not helping clients, Heath enjoys CrossFit, golfing, hunting, fishing, traveling, and cheering on his kids in their sports and activities.

HELPING YOU MAKE SMART MOVES

WHEN IT'S TIME TO SELL 

Selling your property isn’t just any simple transaction. It’s a big decision, filled with hopes, timelines, and sometimes a little uncertainty. That’s where we come in.

Our full-time agents are fully committed to helping you reach your goals. We don’t just list properties. We represent your interests, work hard to deliver top results, and do our best to make the process as simple and enjoyable as possible.

When you list with us, you get more than a sign in the yard. You get full-service representation. 

• SMART PRICING STRATEGY: We use current market data and deep local insight to help you price your home effectively, attracting the most amount of buyers while maximizing your return.
• PROFESSIONAL MARKETING: We invest in marketing across multiple platforms for maximum exposure. We actively market your listing until we’ve secured you the best deal.
• SCHEDULING & SCREENING: Showing management is made easy and secure, with you in the know and in control. We also help ensure potential buyers are serious and financially ready. 
• EXPERT NEGOTIATION: We negotiate contracts with your best interests in mind. Our job is to protect you and your bottom line.
• CONTRACT & CLOSING MANAGEMENT: We handle every detail to ensure your transaction stays on track and stress-free. We track deadlines, make sure all contract terms are met, stay on alert for red flags, and get ahead of any potential problems so the last thing you have to do is worry.
• ONGOING COMMUNICATION: We strongly believe that communication is key. You’ll never be left wondering what’s happening because you’ll be frequently informed and updated.

WHEN IT'S TIME TO BUY

Buying a home or property is a big step, and whether it’s your first or your fifth, it helps to have someone in your corner. Our mission is to open up possibilities you didn’t know existed, guide you through every step, and protect your interests like they’re our own. 

UNLOCK THE BENEFITS OF BUYER REPRESENTATION

Without an agent, you might miss out on critical insights, unknowingly skip protections in the contract, or overpay. But when you hire your own representative, you gain access to the full benefits of an agent-client relationship, as opposed to just having someone open the door and give you the facts. 

• FULL GUIDANCE: One of the many benefits of representation is the expert advice that comes with it. As a client, you benefit from our professional, experienced insight, better informing your decisions throughout the process.
• FULL ACCESS: When you have a question or want to see a property, we’ll be just a text or phone call away. Your home search and transaction is our priority.
• A DEDICATED ADVOCATE: As your agent, our job is to promote your needs and protect your best interests. We look out for red flags, decode the fine print, and offer honest advice.
• THE HARD WORK – DONE FOR YOU: When you hire a full-time, full-service agent like us, all the heavy-lifting is done for you. If you come out of closing feeling like your transaction was easy, we know we did our job well!

OVER 8,000 CLIENTS SERVED

Our Values

• TEAMWORK: Many offices compete amongst themselves, producing a toxic environment to the detriment of the client. Not Here! We work fantastically with our clients, other brokerages, and ourselves. (besides, we have to see each other at Thanksgiving!)
• HONESTY: Our words can always be taken at face value. We strive for openness, so you can always stay informed. Even if the truth is inconvenient or difficult, it is our job to make sure you never worry if you have the full picture.
• PROFESSIONALISM: We are incredibly friendly, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a job to do. You will never need to worry whether we will be on time, how we hold ourselves in negotiations, or if we will ever lose our cool.
• LOYALTY: We will never lose sight of who our client is. Acting in our own self-interest is not only wrong but also an easy way to ruin a business. We will always have your back.
• RESPONSIVENESS: We make responding to not only our clients a priority but everyone else party to your transaction. Unfortunately, many brokerages overlook this important facet of being successful in our industry. We realize the quicker we respond, the quicker you’re in your dream home.
• INTEGRITY: Not only are our words true, but our actions always follow our words. If we say we’ll do something, we do it; if something changes, you’re the first to know. The last thing we want is for you ever to be blindsided.

READ OUR REVIEWS!

VIEW OUR CURRENT LISTINGS