In 2010 Firethorne broke all first-quarter new home sales records in its five-year history, highlighted by a 284 percent increase over its first quarter new home sales in 2009. This figure represents the greatest percentage increase in sales — double that of the next highest sales increase of 140 percent — of any of the top 14 Houston-area master-designed/master-planned communities researched by Metrostudy, the leading provider of primary and secondary market information to the housing and related industries nationwide.
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 Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Are you worried that your child may turn into a couch potato this summer? The Katy Prairie Conservancy’s new Summer Science Nights program is a great way to promote your child’s understanding of science in the best laboratory of all: The great outdoors. Each session includes hands-on, minds-on activities and an action-packed hike on a wildlife-rich preserve.
Classes include Summer Serpents: Exploring snake diversity and feeding habitats. There are few things that can get your heart pumping like the sight of a wild snake. The Katy Prairie is home to over 20 species of these fascinating creatures and even one legless lizard that mimics snakes. Students will see a few summer serpents, learn about snake safety and feeding habits before heading out on a safe but adventurous hike.
Another class is Just Stay Cool!: Discovering how animals, people and plants stay cool during the summer. Blazing Texas summers can be tough on wildlife, plants, and people. Animals and plants have developed amazing ways to stay cool under soaring Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
I’ve had the busiest spring of my 21-year real estate career!s As the April 30th deadline to qualify for the tax credits, $8,000 for first-time home buyers and $6,500 for existing home owners, loomed, home sales got really crazy.
It was not unusual for brand new listings to have multiple offers. Bidding wars ensued. Here in Katy, particularly on the southside of I-10, it was impossible to believe that a real estate recession exists.
Nationwide, the tax credit bills created a strong upswing in home sales. To read the rest of this story, see OnlyKaty.com.
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Above art created by Emily Freeman–”Next Spring”.
LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, in partnership with Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center (KVPAC), welcomes Making A Mark®, the Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Hematology Service’s touring art exhibition presented by The Periwinkle Foundation.
The extraordinary display features the works of young artists whose lives have been touched by cancer and blood disorders. It provides a unique focus on their personal issues.
The exhibit will open to the public Wednesday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. in Ste. C 140 of LaCenterra (between Simply Cinco and Panera Bread) and run through April 28 before moving to KVPAC gallery for an additional two-week showing.
Making A Mark encourages all patients and their siblings to participate in sharing their feelings through applied art or creative writing. Often deep-rooted feelings and fears are given a positive outlet.
Every participant is a winner because so much has been gained in the process, and all submissions for the show are exhibited at the opening each September at Texas Children’s Hospital and then a selection of artwork travels to various locations throughout the year.
Guest are invited to fill out a “Postcard from the Road” that will be sent directly to the artist or Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Information provided by Home Warranty of America
Since January 1st, the EPA has required R-410A refrigerant, also known by the brand names of Puron, SUVA and Gentron AZ-20, in newly manufactured air conditioners and heat pump systems.
What does this mean to you as a Katy home owner? It means that all American air conditioning and heat pump equipment produced after January 1st or those imported to the United States after the first of this year must use R-410A or another non-ozone depleting refrigerant.
What was the cause of this change? The release of hydro-chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere has depleted the Earth’s protective ozone layer and created an ozone hole. This change of refrigerants will reduce the release of this man-made chemical and help the ozone layer to recover. This is a worldwide initiative.
Most currently owned air conditioners, those manufactured prior to January 1st, can still be serviced and repaired. R-22 refrigerant is available.
When a replacement system is necessary, a system can still be replaced with R-22 equipment as Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
The Federal Housing Administration, FHA, has kept mortgage rates and Mortgage Insurance Premiums, MIP, lower than the market dictated for some time to encourage home buyers to shore up the economy.
MIP premiums are about to increase; the date is April 5th. On case numbers dated after April 4th, MIP premiums go from 1.75% of the total loan value to 2.25%. It’s not as dreadful as it sounds. On a $200,000 mortgage, the increase, based on today’s interest rates, is approximately $6 per month–stay out of…to read the rest of my article, see OnlyKaty.com.
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Cinco Ranch was the nation’s number one master-planned community (MPC) for new-home sales in 2009, according to a report by RCLCO, an independent real estate advisory firm.
With 887 new-home sales in 2009, Cinco Ranch was one of only two Houston MPCs on RCLCO’s top 10 list to report a sales increase from the previous year.
Sales increased 14% last year in the 7,600-acre community, located at Grand Parkway and Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy. The increase helped Cinco Ranch grab the top spot in the study, after ranking number two in 2008 behind a Las Vegas development.
The only other Houston area community with a sales increase for 2009 was Telfair in Sugar Land, also by Newland Communities. With 450 new-home sales in 2009, Telfair ranked fourth nationally in the RCLCO study.
“These results are outstanding for us,” said Bob McLeod, Chairman and CEO of Newland Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
In May 2009, a new law, The Home Valuation Code of Conduct, or HVCC, became law. One of the main rules prohibits mortgage brokers from ordering appraisals directly from, or having any contact with, a licensed real estate appraiser.
Also, a lender cannot approach a an appraiser with relevant information, such as comparable sales. Lenders are forced to use third-party appraisal management companies who oversee all aspects of the appraisal process.
Valuation may come in low due to an out-of-area appraiser who is totally…to read the rest of my article, see OnlyKaty.com.
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Inflated appraisals, valuing homes far above their true market value, contributed greatly to the residential real estate collapse. In backlash, the pendulum has now swung in the opposite direction and it can be hard to get a Katy home to appraise for the sales contract price.
Standards are now so strict that the lender and appraiser are not supposed to communicate directly. Historically, appraisers used comparable…
Read my entire article at OnlyKaty.com.
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Article courtesy of KISD website:
On Monday, February 22, the Katy ISD Board of Trustees approved the administration’s recommendation to modify the attendance boundaries for Seven Lakes, Cinco Ranch and Taylor High Schools. Only the neighborhoods listed below are impacted by this Attendance Boundary Modification.
Grandfathering and Volunteer Enrollment Option
Under the recommendation approved by the Board, all current high school students are grandfathered to stay at their current campus through graduation. In addition, the Board approved a recommendation to provide families impacted by the Attendance Boundary Modification a one-time Volunteer Enrollment Option (VEO), which would allow those students grandfathered to remain at their current high school to instead choose to move to the new high school. See the Volunteer Enrollment Option webpage for more information.
Note: Students who are currently enrolled in high school this year are grandfathered to continue at their current school for the remainder of their high school career. No action is required to continue enrollment at the current school.
Sibling Transfers
Katy ISD recognizes the importance of family involvement with and connection to their child’s Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
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