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.

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 Communities. “This marks the first time ever in more than 40 years we’ve had the top-selling community in the nation, and to do it during a year as tough as 2009 makes it an even bigger achievement.”

RCLCO’s study showed that total number of net sales in 2009 for the majority of the best-selling MPCs dropped from 2008 levels with sales volume declining by as little as 8% and as much as 84%. Newland’s Cinco Ranch and Telfair were a strong exception to this trend, posting increased sales for the third year in a row. Also, 2009 proved to be the best sales year ever for Telfair since opening in 2006 and the third best sales year for the 19-year-old Cinco Ranch.

“Newland’s sales success at Cinco Ranch and Telfair can be attributed to the product diversity our homebuilders offer, the proven established track records of these communities, and a highly focused marketing approach that speaks to our customer needs,” McLeod continued.

“Buyers needs have changed and they will continue to change. The communities Newland creates will continue to adapt to meet those needs. Value doesn’t just mean a lower price, or a smaller home. It means what fits their family and lifestyle needs. The way we market our communities, taking time to really understand our buyers and engaging with them on a more personal level, has changed as well,” he indicated.

Houston’s strong showing in the RCLCO study underscores the fact that the city is a bright spot in the national economy.

Ted Nelson, Central Region President for Newland Communities said, “In the past few months, Houston has ranked very high in studies ranging from the nation’s healthiest housing markets to cities where the recession is easing. Overall, the Houston communities on the top 10 list represented 2,250 new-home sales, more than double those of the second ranked metro, Las Vegas.”

RCLCO has been releasing its top-selling MPC rankings since 1994.

Cinco Ranch offers new homes priced from the $170,000s to over $1 million.

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!

Fifteen-and-a-third acres, located at the intersection of Katy Terrace Drive and Hwy 1093, have been purchased to build apartments in the master-planned community of Cinco Ranch.

According to The Houston Business Journal, Judwin Realty Group LLC has acquired the land. “Judwin’s Jerry Wionograd says the firm is finishing plans for the 316-unit complex.”

Judwin hopes to break ground in the second or third quarter of 2010.

The Houston Business Journal reports, “Houston-based Judwin, which was founded in 1963, owns more than 13,000 apartment units in Texas and Georgia.

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!

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/2009/01/31/the-small-town-charm-of-firethorne-part-one/ http://fuellingkaty.com/2009/01/31/the-small-town-charm-of-firethorne-part-one/#comments Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:51:09 +0000 Julie Q. Fuelling http://fuellingkaty.com/?p=671

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!

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!

Compliments of Wikipedia

The Cinco Ranch community goes back to before Texas became a Republic. In the 1820s, pioneer Moses Austin was granted by the Spanish government the authority to settle 300 families in the valleys of the Brazos and Colorado rivers. He died before he was able to accomplish this, but his son Stephen F. Austin was able to complete his father’s wishes, even under the newly established Mexican government. One of the men who moved into these 300 slots of land (each one over 4000 acres (16 km²) was Randolph Foster, whose land spread across Fort Bend and Waller counties and upon which wild horses, deer, Indians and buffalo lived.

Foster’s daughter married Thomas Blakeley, cattleman and future sheriff of Fort Bend County. Their son, Bassett Blakeley, took after his father and grandfather and soon grew into a cowboy and cattleman. Bassett Blakeley owned 15,000 acres (61 km²) of land and 14,000 head of Brahman cattle, along with his grandfather’s land. The cowhands of his Blakeley Ranch annually drove 10,000 head of cattle to the railheads in Kansas.

In 1937, Blakeley sold the working ranch to William Wheless, who convinced four of his friends, J.S. Abercrombie, W.B. Pryon, H.G. Nelms and L.M. Josey—all, like him, wealthy from oil—to become his partners at the ranch. In a nod to its Spanish roots perhaps, they called it Cinco Ranch (”cinco” means “five” in Spanish). Only the Wheless family lived on the ranch, but all of the families visited on many holidays and weekends, making use of a huge clubhouse complete with two bedroom wings. The ranch was not merely involved in cattle—it also had several acres of rice—for years, the main output of Katy, Texas—and peanut production.

In February 1984, the largest raw land transaction in the history of Houston took place when Cinco Ranch Venture, consisting of U.S. Home, the Mischer Corporation, and American General Corporation purchased Cinco Ranch for a 5,000 acre (20 km²) master plan development. American General eventually bought out the other partners. Its current developer is Newland, and it now surpasses 7,200 acres (29 km²).

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!