If you think Firethorne’s tennis coach is just an ace on the tennis court, you couldn’t be more wrong. Resident athlete/sports coach Chris Dante didn’t even take up the sport until he was 30, after excelling in baseball, (in 1988 he made it as far as the Olympic Trials), basketball, (City University of New York team captain), and football, as well as boxing and Taekwondo, (he has a black belt)!

“But after one too many broken noses, I turned to something less brutal — tennis,” said Dante, who helped launch Firethorne’s premiere tennis program this spring. With the new Women’s Tennis League and beginner tennis clinics now in full swing, Firethorne continues to demonstrate the Katy/Fulshear community’s commitment to fitness and competitive sports, through its hike and bike trails, swimming and running, regulation lacrosse fields and personal training at the on-site exercise facility.

During the summer, Coach Dante offers two morning clinics for resident children, (9 and 10 a.m.), and one 6 p.m. clinic for adult beginners. He also teaches private lessons. The tennis courts are open to Firethorne residents and their invited guests.

(Pictured above: Firethorne Resident Tennis Coach Chris Dante is on the court during a summer children’s clinic with residents (bottom/center, then clockwise): Boston Blake, Hannah Blake, Julian Martinez (far left with basket of tennis balls), Najee Boyd, Alissa Basaldua, Roel Martinez (hidden), and Jean Basaldua.)

“Coaching is a labor of love,” said Dante. “I love being outside with the kids — teaching and coaching them.” He also enjoys introducing many of their parents to tennis.

The four fully-lit hard courts are located adjacent to the lacrosse fields in the 1,400-acre Katy/Fulshear master-designed development.

Firethorne, located 15 miles west of Houston’s Energy Corridor, blends the best nature has to offer: 150 acres devoted to parks and recreational amenities, a 12-acre lake with surrounding greenbelt, hike/bike trails, parks and playgrounds, discovery-rich wildlife observation area and a natural bird habitat. Served by the award-winning Katy I.S.D., Firethorne combines the vibrancy of West Houston with the small-town charm of Katy/Fulshear.

Life is great in Firethorne! To tour homes in Firethorne, contact me. To search all the houses currently on the market in Katy/Houston see Home Search. I have sold Katy real estate for over 20 years and would be pleased to work together.

Firethorne, a 1,400-acre master-designed community is located in Katy/Fulshear, 15 miles west of the Energy Corridor.

“We are extremely pleased with the results of our Firethorne sales and marketing teams and appreciate the tremendous support of the local Realtor® community,” said Firethorne Marketing Director Janet Burkett. Realtors® generate 75 percent of all new home sales.

While she suggests the federal tax credits for first-time homebuyers may have planted a seed in people’s minds, she attributes the strong new home sales in the Firethorne community to the continued growth in the Katy and Fulshear areas and for being part of one of the best school districts in the state. The fact that there are three major Houston hospitals expanding in the area, plus energy companies relocating employees there, have contributed to the sales activity, as well, she said.

Firethorne blends with the best nature has to offer: 150 acres devoted to parks and recreational amenities, a 12-acre lake with surrounding greenbelt, hike/bike trails, parks and playgrounds, discovery-rich wildlife observation area and a natural bird habitat. Firethorne combines the vibrancy of West Houston with the small-town charm of Katy/Fulshear.he community is strategically located on FM 1463 near the crossroads of the 1-10 West corridor, the Westpark Tollway and the Grand Parkway.

To tour Firethorne, take I-10 West and exit Pin Oak to FM 1463, call the Visitor Center, 281-693-1011, or visit www.firethorne.info.

For information about Firethorne  homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404 or via email. When buying new construction, it is always best to have a Realtor to represent you in negotiations; there is no cost to you and a multitude of benefits. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!

Firethorne sold 238 new homes in 2009, achieving a record high for annual sales for the Katy/Fulshear residential development.   Last year’s home sales represent a 16.6 percent increase over 2008 (204 homes). The previous record for the four-year-old development was 218 sales in 2007.  The 1,400-acre master-designed community is located 15 miles west of Houston’s Energy Corridor.

“We’re very pleased with these figures,” noted Firethorne General Manager Wayne Meyer.  According to Meyer, Firethorne has been holding its own thanks to continued growth in the Katy and Fulshear areas and for being part of one of the greatest school districts in the state. “BP America and Conoco/Phillips have relocated employees here, plus three major Houston hospitals are expanding in this area — two under construction and one on the drawing board,” he noted.

Firethorne has sold a total of 918 homes project-to-date. The Firethorne builder team consists of Coventry Homes, Highland Homes, Parkwood Builders, Partners in Building, Perry Homes, Plantation Homes and David Weekley Homes.

Firethorne is attractive to the Houston relocation market with its proximity to the Energy Corridor, location in the top-ranked Katy Independent School District, and availability of estate-sized lots typically found in the country with all of conveniences of master-designed recreational amenities, such as state-of-the-art technology and nearby shopping, retail, dining, entertainment, schools and medical facilities.

The community features 150 acres devoted to parks and recreational amenities, a 12-acre lake with surrounding greenbelt, resort-style swim center, sports fields, hike/bike trails, parks and playgrounds, discovery-rich wildlife observation area and a natural bird habitat.  It’s where the vibrancy of West Houston meets the small-town charm of Katy/Fulshear. Take I-10 West and exit Pin Oak to FM 1463, go to www.firethorne.info, or call 281-693-1011.

For information about Firethorne and all Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404 or via email. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!

The third largest co-ed triathlon in Texas, the Annual Katy Triathlon, has announced plans to move to Firethorne this fall. Renamed the “Katy Triathlon at Firethorne”, the USA Triathlon-sanctioned race will be held Sunday, October 25, 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., in and around the 1,400 Katy/Fulshear community.

“Hosting the Katy Triathlon is such a natural for us because of our involvement in competitive sports and fitness in Katy,” said Firethorne General Manager Wayne Meyer. Firethorne built the Houston area’s first regulation lacrosse fields. Hike/bike trails are sponsored by the SpinCycles cycling team and Tortoise and Hare  5K/1M Run/Walk.  There is also an on-site fully-equipped Fitness Center featuring certified trainer Peggy Skaggs.

Individual athletes as well as relay teams will compete in a 1/3-mile swim around the 12-acre Lake Firethorne, as well as a 15-mile bike race and a 3-mile run through Firethorne. The cycling route will include sections of FM 1463, US Highway 90, Pederson Road and the I-10 West corridor, Westpark Tollway and the Grand Parkway.

“Firethorne’s lake and proximity to wide spaces of rural areas is conducive to having a successful 3,000 person triathlon,” said veteran Race Director Dave Rainey. As a Houston City Triathlon Championship venue, more than 1,000 athletes and 2,000 spectators, (including many from out-of-town), are estimated to participate.

The competition was previously called the Cinco Ranch Triathlon.

The registration fee is $60 per person and $85 per relay team through October 2. From October 3-18, the fees are $70 and $95, respectively. Registration is available online.

The Rotary Club of Katy, race sponsor, donates event proceeds to the Katy Rotary Fund, which supports local charities for their work in providing essential health, recreation and educational services to children in the Katy ISD attendance area. Cinco Ranch High School FBLA, Rotary Interact Club and Boy Scouts provide volunteer support for the race. Race sponsorships, underwriters and in-kind underwriters are available. For information, call 1-800-852-8228.

Firethorne is located 15 miles west of Houston’s Energy Corridor. It blends the best nature has to offer: 150 acres devoted to parks and recreational amenities, a 12-acre lake with surrounding greenbelt, hike/bike trails, parks and playgrounds, discovery-rich wildlife observation area and a natural bird habitat. Served by the award-winning Katy ISD, Firethorne combines the vibrancy of West Houston with the small-town charm of Katy/Fulshear.

To reach Firethorne, take I-10 West and exit Pin Oak to FM 1463. Call 281-395-1440 or visit Firethorne online.

For information about Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404 or via email. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!

Katy resident Sandee Horton, my dear friend and Senior Sales Consultant for David Weekley Homes in Firethorne, was named Top Sales Consultant of the Year in Houston for David Weekley Homes for the second consecutive year!

“Sandee Horton does a top-notch job at Firethorne and we are very proud she has earned this city-wide David Weekley Homes award for the second year in a row,” said Firethorne Marketing Director Janet Burkett.

Firethorne is a 1,400-acre master-designed community in the west Katy/Fulshear area.  Considering that in recent times Houston has  seen the failure of several major builders, it’s quite the feat that the builder team at Firethorne has achieved 767 housing starts in its three years of development! In addition to David Weekley Homes, the Firethorne builders includes Coventry Homes, Highland Homes, Partners in Building, Perry Homes and Plantation Homes.

Call me for an insider’s tour of Firethorne and to meet Sandee! See my earlier Firethorne series: Part One, Part Two and Part Three.

For information about Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404.I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!

How to choose a Katy neighborhood? The choices are almost overwhelming. There are older neighborhoods with lovely established landscaping. Should you purchase a resale house? A house that needs updating or a recently built resale?

Another wonderful choice is new construction. There are exciting new developments where you can choose a new home picking the exact amenities that fit your family’s wants and needs.

Let’s say you’ve decided on new construction. Now where? Again, the choices are many and varied. To keep your head from spinning, I’ve been featuring a series of articles that highlight new developments in the Katy area. This is Part Three of my Firethorne articles. (To see  earlier Firethorne articles, click Part One and Part Two.) As you might have gathered, I love Firethorne and believe strongly in its value.

There are also articles on Cinco Ranch, Cross Creek Ranch and Willow Creek Farms.

Life in Firethorne is full of great features and an abundance of amenities. Today, we will explore recreational “goodies”.

The development has a resort-style, multi-level swim center, pictured in this blog. There are sports fields for competing or watching. A very unique and outstanding Firethorne amenity is that the Houston area’s only regulation lacrosse playing field is located in the master-planned community. There is also a neighborhood community center that includes a meeting room and a fully-equipped fitness facility.

With opportunities for nature discovery all around, Firethorne embraces the best of new construction and  nature existing harmoniously. There are walking trails winding throughout the spectacular natural setting.

For more on Firethorne’s Texas beauty, read my article, “Thousands Live with Nature who Never Thought They Could–Welcome to Firethorne Master Planned Community.”

It is always best to purchase new construction with the help of a Realtor; it will not cost you anything and it will give you the protection of a professional to look out for your best interests. This is very important. Contact me, I have special buyer incentives.

For information about Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404.I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!

]]> http://fuellingkaty.com/2009/03/05/fun-at-firethorne-part-three/feed/ 0 http://fuellingkaty.com/2009/02/19/firethorne-part-two-business-community-visits-master-planned-community/ http://fuellingkaty.com/2009/02/19/firethorne-part-two-business-community-visits-master-planned-community/#comments Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:32:38 +0000 Julie Q. Fuelling http://fuellingkaty.com/?p=1106

Recently, the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce visited the David Weekley “Hansboro” model in Firethorne and enjoyed a “Business After Hours” event. A large group of members, approximately 90 people, attended the reception. It was quite the honor for David Weekley as it was the very first time that a Firethorne homebuilder has hosted such a Katy  Chamber event.

The 1,400-acre Firethorne master-planned community,  where the vibrancy of West Houston meets the small-town charm of Fulshear, is located in the acclaimed Katy Independent School District. It features 150-acres devoted to parks and recreational amenities including a 12-acre lake with surrounding greenbelt. There is also a sports field, hike-and-bike trails, parks and playgrounds. One of the nicest features is a wildlife observation area and a natural bird habitat–unique features for a Katy development.

Guests were complimentary of the David Weekley model and enjoyed the flow between rooms so accommodating for such a large group of party-goers. Sandee Horton, Senior Sales Consultant for David Weekley,  is pictured in the accompanying photo. From left-to-right in the photo are Stan Stanley of the Katy Area Economic Development Council, Sandee Horton, Realtor Rick Henderson, and Shawna Radke, another David Weekley Sales Consultant.

In addition to David Weekley, the Firethorne builder team includes Coventry Homes, Highland Homes, Partners in Building, Perry Homes and Plantation Homes.

It is always best to purchase new construction with the help of a Realtor; it will not cost you anything and it will give you the protection of a professional to look out for your best interests. This is very important. Contact me, I have special buyer incentives.

For more information about Firethorne homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!

Firethorne, a relatively new Katy master-planned community, is strategically located on FM 1463 near the crossroads of the I-10 West Corridor, the Westpark Tollway and the Grand Parkway. Firethorne is a 1,400-acre residential development designed to combine the vibrancy of Katy with the small town charm of Fulshear.

Named for a resilient evergreen indigenous to the Texas prairie, Firethorne blends with the best nature has to offer: 150-acres devoted to parks and recreational amenities. There is a 12-acre lake with surrounding greenbelt, hike and bike trails, parks and playgrounds. There is a discovery-rich wildlife observation area, a natural bird habitat and more.

According to Firethorne Marketing Director Janet Burkett, “To date, Firethorne has opened two fully furnished Model Parks. Three more will open in the Fall of 2009.” The Visitor Center is pictured above.

Perry Homes, David Weekley Homes, Plantation Homes, Highland Homes, Coventry Homes and Partners in Building comprise the Firethorne builder team.

It is always best to purchase new construction with the help of a Realtor; it will not cost you anything and it will give you the protection of a professional to look out for your best interests. This is very important. Contact me, I have special buyer incentives.

For more information about Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404. I offer financial incentives to my sellers/buyers. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 19 years. Experience does count!

To many gardeners, a Firethorne is a hybridized plant in the pyracantha family. Not so for Katy residents, our Firethorne is a rapidly developing 1,400 acre master-planned community located on FM 1463 in the Katy/Fulshear area. When Firethorne is built out, there will be 3,600 more homes in the area. I don’t have to tell you that Katy is exploding west of Katy Mills Mall.

Like the just announced Cross Creek Ranch master-planned development, Firethorne includes a large amount of open areas, green space, lakes and parks. Firethorne has designated 150 acres for parks and recreation; a 12-acre lake with surrounding green belts; and, a lakeside deck with outdoor fireplace and entertainment facilities. There will be a natural wildlife pond and hike and bike trails.

Firethorne is located where the Texas Coastal Plain transitions into grasslands and meandering creeks. To preserve this natural habitat, nature trails provide up-close encounters with the natural surroundings from native wildflowers, oak trees, pecan trees and native wildlife. Deer and the ever-watchful red tail hawks call Firethorne home. Wild ducks and geese migrate through the area often raising their young before they head further south for the winter.

Firethorne is a celebration of Texas natural beauty and gorgeous new construction. If you haven’t visited, put it on your list for Sunday afternoon adventures. You’ll enjoy yourself!

For information about Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 19 years. Experience does count!