M/I Homes is the newest homebuilder to join the builder team at Firethorne, a 1,400-acre master-designed residential community located in Katy/Fulshear.   The builder’s 60-foot lot model home will be constructed in the new Firethorne West Model Park.  Firethorne is situated 10 and 15 miles west of the Texas Medical Center-West Campus and Houston’s Energy Corridor, respectively.

M/I Homes’ one- and two-story homes, available in brick, stone and stucco exterior elevations, will range from 2,000 to 3,400 square feet and priced from the $220,000s. The builder’s signature features include soaring windows, rotundas, structural and designer options and a 30-year transferable structural warranty.

“We hand-select each of our builders based upon their high standards for design, quality, customer satisfaction and reputation,” said Firethorne General Manager Wayne Meyer. Currently completing the Firethorne builder team are: Ashton Woods Homes, Coventry Homes, Highland Homes, Partners in Building, Perry Homes, Plantation Homes and David Weekley Homes.

Firethorne, located in the top-ranked Katy Independent School District and Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, features 150 acres devoted to parks and recreational amenities, a 12-acre lake with surrounding greenbelt, resort-style swim center, new competitive swim center, sports fields, hike/bike trails, parks and playgrounds, discovery-rich wildlife observation area and a natural bird habitat. 

To tour Firethorne, visiting both new construction and resale homes, call me at 713-818-2404. I have sold Katy real estate for over 22 years and would be delighted to hear from you!

The authorization of the bond package would fund the building of new schools including three elementary, one junior high and one high school. Funds are also set aside for other capital project expenditures such as new buses, portable classroom buildings, land for future schools and costs associated with selling bonds. Substantial money will also be spent on upgrading technology and renovating existing schools and facilities.

With the $459 million authorization, it is projected that the tax rate will stay the same for the next two years, then increase by $.01 in 2012, and another $.03 for the 2013 and 2014 tax years. After 2014, the tax rate will begin to decrease.

For up-to-date detailed information about the 2010 Bond Referendum, visit Katy ISD’s “2010 Bond Referendum” page.

To tour homes in KISD, contact me via email or call me at 713-818-2404. I have sold Katy real estate for over 21 years and would love to share my expertise with you. Experience does matter!

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 high school. Therefore during the boundary modification process of Spring 2010 younger siblings will be allowed a sibling transfer to the high school that an older sibling currently attends so long as the siblings will both be in high school at the same time. If you live in a Land Use Zone (LUZ) that is being moved from Seven Lakes High School to Cinco Ranch High School or from Cinco Ranch High School to Taylor High School. See the Sibling Transfer webpage for more information.

Neighborhoods impacted by ABM (Click here for map.)

LUZs Moving from Cinco Ranch to Taylor

• LUZ 66 Highland Trails
• LUZ 66 Kelliwood Enclave
• LUZ 66 Kelliwood Gardens
• LUZ 66 Kelliwood Lakes
• LUZ 66 Kelliwood Place
• LUZ 66 Kelliwood Trails
• LUZ 66 Lake Forest
• LUZ 66 Lakes of Buckingham
• LUZ 71A Alexan Downs Apart.
• LUZ 71A Kelliwood Pointe
• LUZ 71A Kelliwood Terrace
• LUZ 71A Willow Park Greens
• LUZ 71B Meadow Ridge
• LUZ 71C Park Hollow
• LUZ 71C Park View

LUZs Moving from Seven Lakes to Cinco Ranch

• LUZ 76C Bayou Crossing
• LUZ 77A Fairways at Kelliwood
• LUZ 77A Greens at Willowfork
• LUZ 77A Kelliwood Greens
• LUZ 77B Arbor at Willow Fork
• LUZ 79B Canterbury Village
• LUZ 79B Meadow Glen
• LUZ 79B Residences at Cinco Ranch
• LUZ 79B South Park
• LUZ 79B Summer Point
• LUZ 79C Canyon Gate
• LUZ 79C Cinco Ranch RV Park
• LUZ 79D Estates at Willowfork Greens
• LUZ 79D Kelliwood Greens
• LUZ 79D Kelliwood Park
• LUZ 79F Saddlebrook Crossing
• LUZ 79G Park Trace

  For information about 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!

Katy Independent School District announced a new procedure for establishing campus attendance boundaries. The system will put a greater emphasis on effective use of tax dollars, staff accountability, objectivity and lessening the probability of neighborhood conflicts. Recently, there have been several very contentious episodes addressing new school boundaries; it is hoped that future disagreements will be minimal.

According to KISD, “The previous process of creating rezoning committees comprised of community members was designed to provide maximum public input. This process, however, put the burden of time consuming work, and accountability for the recommendation, on community members. After reviewing observations and recommendations from past rezoning committee participants, it was determined that a new process that utilized the talents of professional staff, while facilitating quality input from those impacted was needed.” Public Hearings will still be a part of the procedure with public input sought.

Alton Frailey, Katy ISD Superintendent, elaborated, “Katy ISD continues to expand as communities are developed to the west, however, due to the tremendous amount of growth in the past ten years, the district is nearing build out in several areas. Any time you make a changes to an attendance boundary, there results a complex domino effect.”

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!

Just 32 miles from downtown and a short commute from the Energy Corridor is Katy’s Cinco Ranch, the largest master-planned community, 7,600 acres, in the Houston area. Cinco Ranch is renowned for its gorgeous homes built by prestigious builders, award-winning schools, recreational facilities, abundance of professional landscaping and vistas of untouched green space.

The majority of home values have remained stable in Cinco Ranch even during these unsure economic times. This is one of the benefits of living in a true master-planned community.

Single family properties in Cinco Ranch include everything from small, comfy patio homes to one-of-a-kind custom estates. There are lake and golf course lots. There is even an over-55 community, Heritage Grand, known for it’s fun lifestyle, security and easy maintenance. Cinco Ranch prices range from under $200,000 to over $1million.

While you will find professional singles and retirees making their home in Cinco Ranch, the population is dominated by families. Children are seen everywhere. Part of the acclaimed Katy Independent School District, Cinco Ranch is already home to 11 Katy ISD school. As a factor of family attraction, the level of education available to Cinco Ranch children cannot be underestimated.

Cinco Ranch is still being developed, west of the Grand Parkway, by Newland Communities. While new construction continues, the majority of Cinco Ranch houses were built between 1990 and 2005. Cinco is divided into interior sections that remind homeowners of small, secure and friendly villages.

Incredible landscaping is found throughout the community; crepe myrtles and ever changing blooming flowers tie the boulevards together giving all of Cinco Ranch a colorful and cohesive look. Brick walls face the major streets.

With it’s sand-sloped Beach Club, lakes of all sizes and a water park for children, Cinco Ranch is a plethora of outstanding recreational areas. There are eight area pools. While there are several smaller lakes, the two larger ones allow boating and catch-and-release fishing. There are tennis courts and a public 18-hole golf course with a pro shop and grill. Well-kept walking trails meander through rustic nature including 70-acres of wilderness.

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!

When my little ones were transferred to a brand new elementary school, Schmalz, they went “kicking and screaming”. The mascot wasn’t right and the colors were unacceptable. They missed their old principal and school song. A great deal of their friends were still districted to the old school. It was not a pretty picture at my house.

Are you facing the same resistance this year? Our wonderful school district is exploding in size with four new school opening on Monday, August 25th. Two elementary schools and two junior highs will be added to the school roster. A Ninth Grade Center is also opening.

Bonnie Holland Elementary, located at 23720 Seven Meadows Parkway, will open with approximately 775 students. Ms. Holland serves as assistant superintendent for governance, legal affairs and special programs; she has worked for the district for more than 25 years. The school colors are blue, silver and white. The mascot is Huskies. Cara Fleming is principal.

Located at 2502 Mason Rd, Morton Ranch Elementary will open with approximately 499 pupils. It is named in honor of the Morton family, one of the the first ranching families in katy. The Mortons moved to Katy in 1896. The school colors are khaki and purple. Like the junior and senior highs with the same name, the elementary shares the Mavericks mascot. Elisa Farris is principal.

Rick Hull is the principal of the new Cardiff Junior High; it’s located at 3900 Dayflower Drive. The school will open with approximately 1,041 pupils. The school colors are green and black with mascot being the Colts.

The much anticipated Woodcreek Junior High, named after and located in Woodcreek master-planned community, opens at 1801 Woodcreek Bend Lane. The school district anticipates 955 students. The school colors are red and black; the school mascot in timber wolves. The principal is Patti Shafer.

Morton Ranch Senior High will debut its Ninth-Grade Center. It has 28 standard classrooms and science labs; the district testing center for English language learners is found in the ninth-grade center. Located at 2100 Franz Road, the center has a capacity for 900 students. The principal is Joe Cammarata.

So, that’s it for the 2008-2009 school year. Our district will continue to grow and new schools will open on a continual basis.I wish you and your children all the best this school year.

As for me, the mother of two teenagers, I live for the day the school buses start to roll again!

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!