• Recovery

    Katy Real Estate: Signs of a Real Estate Recovery

    Over the last six months, nearly every facet of the U.S. economy has shown improvement and the real estate market is no exception. Here is the proof: Recovery Sign #1: Housing Starts. In February, housing starts checked-in at an annual rate of 698,000 units. That’s up 14.7% from the 608,800 starts in … [Read More...]

  • Cross Creek Ranch Entrance (2)

    Cross Creek Ranch Real Estate: Johnson Development Acquires Cross Creek Ranch

    The 3,200-acre master-planned community located minutes west of the Grand Parkway off FM 1093 known as Cross Creek Ranch has been acquired by Johnson Development Corporation. Originally designed and developed by Trendmaker Homes, Cross Creek Ranch opened in spring 2008.  In 2011, new home sales in Cross Creek … [Read More...]

  • Wolman Elementary

    Firethorne Real Estate: Wolman Elementary School

    The new 2012-2013 school year will welcome a new Elementary School which will be a welcome sight for the residents of Firethorne Real Estate.  Ray & Jamie Wolman Elementary School will be located within Firethorne on the Northeast corner of North Firethorne Road at South Firethorne Road.  The school’s … [Read More...]

  • Tax

    Katy Real Estate: Property Tax Appraisal Time is Here!

    Each year around this time, people's minds begin to shift to taxes.  Not just income taxes, but property taxes as well. The Harris County Appraisal District has begun to post 2012 appraisals for properties within its jurisdiction.  If you live within Harris County, then you may go to www.hcad.org to search … [Read More...]

  • FHA MIP

    Katy Real Estate: FHA News Alert

    Attention buyers! Now is the time to purchase that home you have bee talking about. To counterbalance the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 and strengthen the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, borrowers will soon face higher fees. Effective April 1, 2012, … [Read More...]

Apr
28

Katy Real Estate: Signs of a Real Estate Recovery

Over the last six months, nearly every facet of the U.S. economy has shown improvement and the real estate market is no exception.

Here is the proof:

Recovery Sign #1: Housing Starts. In February, housing starts checked-in at an annual rate of 698,000 units. That’s up 14.7% from the 608,800 starts in 2011… up 18.9% from the 586,900 starts in 2010… and up 25.9% from the record-low 554,000 starts in 2009.

Recovery Sign #2: Building Permits. In February, building permits – a proxy for future construction – climbed to an annual rate of 717,000 units. That was ahead of expectations. It also represents the highest level since October 2008.

Recovery Sign #3: Dwindling Inventory. Expect even more building on the horizon. Why? Because new home inventories plumbed their lowest level on record in January at 150,000 units.

Recovery Sign #4: Bidding Wars. The lack of inventory is creating a competitive bidding environment.

Recovery Sign #5: A Bottom in New Home Sales.  In most states new home sales have fallen.  Katy, Texas is lucky to be in an area of constant new growth!

Recovery Sign #6: A Rebound in Existing Home Sales

Recovery Sign #7: Prices.  Prices are typically the last sign of a recovery.  They are a lagging indicator like unemployment.

Recovery Sign #8: Rising Confidence. The National Association of Realtors/Wells Fargo Index of builder confidence climbed for the sixth month in March. It’s now at the highest level since 2007.

Recovery Sign #9: Historic Affordability.  With home prices down, and rent prices rising, it has never been cheaper to buy a home.  If fact a separate study by Trulia found it is now less expensive to buy than rent in 98 of America’s 100 most populous areas.

Recovery Sign #10: Employment.  Labor market is improving.  In the last eight months, the unemployment rate is down almost one full percentage point.

Recovery Sign #11: An Influx of “Smart Money.  Investors are making big bets on homebuilders.

Add all eleven of these factors together and it is clear, the real estate market has officially begun the road to recovery.

View my Katy Real Estate page to view all MLS listings available in and around the surrounding areas!!

If you have any questions or would like to see any of the real estate in the Firethorne/Katy Area, please feel free to contact me at 713-253-5678 or at Angela@AngelaKhomes.com

Apr
23

Cross Creek Ranch Real Estate: Johnson Development Acquires Cross Creek Ranch

The 3,200-acre master-planned community located minutes west of the Grand Parkway off FM 1093 known as Cross Creek Ranch has been acquired by Johnson Development Corporation. Originally designed and developed by Trendmaker Homes, Cross Creek Ranch opened in spring 2008.  In 2011, new home sales in Cross Creek Ranch placed it as one of the top 20 best-selling Master-planned communities in the United States. Most recently, Cross Creek Ranch was recognized as Houston’s 2012 Master Planned Community of the Year by the Greater Houston Builders Association.

Cross Creek Ranch currently has close to 700 homes with another 5,000 home sites available for development over the next ten years.  Over 200 acres in the community have been set aside for retail, commercial and multi-family use.

Visit my Cross Creek Ranch Real Estate page to view all of the areas homes and property for sale in this great subdivision!

Johnson Development’s collection of award-winning master-planned communities includes Sienna Plantation and Riverstone, two of the top best-selling master-planned communities in the United States, as well as Fall Creek, Woodforest, Tuscan Lakes, Edgewater, Silverlake and the new Imperial development in Sugar Land.

Residents in Cross Creek Ranch enjoy a number of resort-style amenities including the Cross Creek Water Park, a large resort-style swimming pool with a 200-foot water slide, a wading pool and spray park. Cross Cree Ranch is also home to miles of hike-and-bike trails and a fitness center and sports complex with tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball court and playgrounds for all ages, with several pocket parks located throughout the community.

Builders in Cross Creek Ranch include Ashton Woods Homes, Kickerillo Company, Newmark Homes, Perry Homes, Plantation Homes, Trendmaker Homes and Village Builders.  Cross Creek Ranch students currently attend schools in the Katy Independent School District and eventually in the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District as well.

View my Katy Real Estate Search to view all MLS listings available in and around the surrounding areas!!

If you have any questions or would like to see any of the real estate in the Cross Creek Ranch/Katy Area, please feel free to contact me, Angela Kraushaar, at 713-253-5678 or at Angela@AngelaKhomes.com.

 

Apr
20

Firethorne Real Estate: Wolman Elementary School

The new 2012-2013 school year will welcome a new Elementary School which will be a welcome sight for the residents of Firethorne Real Estate.  Ray & Jamie Wolman Elementary School will be located within Firethorne on the Northeast corner of North Firethorne Road at South Firethorne Road.  The school’s physical address will be 28727 North Firethorne Road, Katy, TX  77494.

The school is named for two individuals whose tireless devotion to KISD is second to none.  Arlan “Ray” Wolman retired after 40 years of service with Katy ISD. He began his career as the only science teacher at the only high school in Katy. In 1980, Ray became the head of the Welch Outdoor Learning Center (OLC) where he has had an impact on thousands of student lives each year.  Ray was also involved for 30 years in the coordination of the Katy ISD Folk Life Festival.  Ray’s wife Jamie began her career in Katy ISD as a teacher to special needs students. She also served as a counselor at the junior high and high school levels before retiring. Jamie continues to be a part of education and has served on the Katy Higher Education Task Force and currently chairs the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee.

The mascot for Wolman Elementary has been officially chosen as Explorers.  The school colors selected are red, black and silver.  The Principal of Wolman Elementary is Kelly Ricks.

View my Firethorne Real Estate page for more information on this up and growing community!
View my  Katy Real Estate page to view all MLS listings available in and around the surrounding areas!!

If you have any questions or would like to see any of the real estate in the Firethorne/Katy Area, please feel free to contact me at 713-253-5678 or at Angela@AngelaKhomes.com

Apr
09

Katy Real Estate: Property Tax Appraisal Time is Here!

Each year around this time, people’s minds begin to shift to taxes.  Not just income taxes, but property taxes as well.

The Harris County Appraisal District has begun to post 2012 appraisals for properties within its jurisdiction.  If you live within Harris County, then you may go to www.hcad.org to search for the 2012 appraisal for your own property.  Please note:  not all appraisals have been posted yet, so do not be alarmed if your property has not been updated.  You can rest assured it is in the works.

If a property owner wishes to challenge their appraisal, they must postmark their Notice of Protest by May 31, 2012, unless otherwise announced by HCAD.  All appraisals are supposed to be completed and notices mailed to property owners by April 30, 2012.  Property owners have until January 31 of the following year to pay the taxes owed.

**At time of post, Fort Bend had not started posting appraisals but is expected to within the next few weeks**

View my Katy Real Estate Search to view all MLS listings available in and around the surrounding areas!!

If you have any questions or would like to see any of the real estate in the Katy/Houston Area, please feel free to contact me, Angela Kraushaar, at 713-253-5678 or at Angela@AngelaKhomes.com.

 

 

Mar
26

Katy Real Estate: FHA News Alert

Attention buyers! Now is the time to purchase that home you have bee talking about. To counterbalance the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 and strengthen the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, borrowers will soon face higher fees.

Effective April 1, 2012, the upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) will increase from 1 percent to 1.75 percent. This will increase borrowers’ month mortgage payments since it is driving up the loan amount. The monthly mortgage insurance premium (MMIP) will also increase by 10 basis points.

After June 1, 2012, all home loans over $625,000 will see an additional boost of .25 percent, bringing a total increase of 35 basis points to their MMIP.

View my Katy Real Estate Search to view all MLS listings available in and around the surrounding areas!!

If you have any questions or would like to see any of the real estate in the Katy Area, please feel free to contact me, Angela Kraushaar, at 713-253-5678 or at Angela@AngelaKhomes.com.

Feb
24

Cinco Ranch Real Estate: New Happenings!

Cinco Ranch has a new retail development coming and it is to be called Southpark at Cinco Ranch.  This new retail development will be anchored by Kroger and Academy.

  • This development is located in the “heart” of Cinco Ranch, and 8.074  acre Newland Communities Master-Planned Community
  • Cinco Ranch was named the Number 1 new home sales Master-Planned community in the U.S. in 2011
  • This is a regional site located at the intersection of 2 major roadways.  FM 1093 (Westpark Tollway) and FM 723/Spring Green, and is in close proximity to the Grand Parkway
  • The site is the “front door” on the south side of Cinco Ranch community. Fm 1093 (Westpark Tollway) is a major thoroughfare providing access from the east. FM 723 is a major north/south connector that runs south to Richmond/Rosenberg, bringing additional shoppers from that area. Spring Green runs north of FM 1093 and connects to Fry Road and Cinco Ranch Boulevard, major arteries within Cinco Ranch master-planned community.
Visit my Cinco Ranch Real Estate page to view all of the areas homes and property for sale in this great subdivision!
View my Katy Real Estate page to view all MLS listings available in and around the surrounding areas!!

If you have any questions or would like to see any of the real estate in the Cinco Ranch/Katy Area, please feel free to contact me, Angela  Kraushaar, at 713-253-5678 or at Angela@AngelaKhomes.com.

 

 

Feb
09

Real Estate News: Houston Ranked Most Prosperous City

For a while now we have all known how lucky we are to live in Katy, Texas. We have everything we need in our “little” community. Never do we have to venture far from the boundaries of the expansive Katy City Limits! The next best thing to living in Katy is to be within driving distance of Houston to find anything our city might be missing. Now Houston has an added bonus….

A new list that has come out today, ranks Houston as the most prosperous city in the whole United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics compared five years of data from the private sector employment of 100 cities. The Bayou City came in at number 1 (yes ONE!) for adding 109,000 private sector jobs in those five years. Three other Texas cities also made the top five–Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio.

Now the residents of Katy know for sure that they can live in the community of Katy, with the wonderful school district of KISD, and be within working distance of Houston, The Most Prosperous City in the United States!

View my Katy Real Estate page for more information on the homes in the area that might interest you!

If you have any questions or would like to see any of the real estate in or around the Katy/Houston Area, please feel free to contact me at 713-253-5678 or at Angela@AngelaKhomes.com

Feb
08

Katy Real Estate: Our School District Named to AP Achievement List

Katy ISDKISD is one of only school districts nationwide to be honored by the College Board with a spot on the AP Achievement List.  From 2008 to 2010 , KISD increased the number of students participating in the Advanced Placement program from  to 1,934 to 2,329 while also improving the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher.  The score of 3 on the AP Exam is typically what is needed to earn a college credit for the course.

“This recognition by the College Board is further proof that we are accomplishing our mission to provide students unparalleled learning experiences here in Katy ISD,” states KISD Superintendent Alton Frailey.  “I am proud of the work that everyone associated with the AP program has done to not only make the AP courses available to students, but to ensure that they succeed in achieving at exceptional levels.”

The AP Achievement List is comprised of all school districts that are simultaneously expanding opportunity and improving performance.  “Participation in college-level AP courses can level the playing field for underserved students, give them the confidence needed to succeed in college, and raise standards and performance in key subjects like science and math,” said College Board President Gaston Caperton.  “The AP Achievement List identifies districts that are defying expectations by expanding access while enabling their students to maintain or improve their AP Exam scores.”

Don’t you want to live in a district that offers these wonderful opportunities to its students?

View my Katy Real Estate page for more information on the homes in and around this wonderful school dsitrict!

If you have any questions or would like to see any of the real estate in the Katy Area, please feel free to contact me at 713-253-5678 or at Angela@AngelaKhomes.com

 

 

Feb
07

Katy Real Estate: Are You in Danger of Being Foreclosed On?

February 1, 2012, President Obama announced the details of a plan to help homeowners refinance their mortgages.  According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this proposal will allow buyers to save an average of $3,000 a year by refinancing into loans backed by the FHA.  To be eligible, you must be current on your mortgage.

The plan is estimated to cost between $5 billion and $10 billion, which Obama plans to cover by charging a fee to large banks.

This refinancing plan is the most recent addition to Obama’s foreclosure prevention efforts, following the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) and the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP).  I blogged about this very program months ago, read my HARP blog.

Early indications are that the plan faces big challenges in Congress.  If you or someone you know are in mortgage trouble, please ask your lender to exhaust all options before going down the long foreclosure road!

View my Katy Real Estate page for more information on the homes in and around the area that may be of  interest you!

If you have any questions or would like to see any of the real estate in the Katy/ Houston Area, please feel free to contact me at 713-253-5678 or at Angela@AngelaKhomes.com.

 

Jan
16

Katy Real Estate: Important Information Regarding Area Roadways!

Welcome to Katy Real Estate and the explosion of homes and traffic we are now all experiencing.  Now that Houston is moving West, Katy is expanding at record pace.  With growth comes inconvenience.  Below is an update on what highway construction is currently being done and some information on what we can look forward to in the future!  Remember, patience is a virtue!

 

 

View my Katy Real Estate page for more information on the homes in the area that interest you!

SH 99 & I-10

  • The two direct connectors at SH 99 and I-10 are now open, significantly reducing traffic congestion at that intersection.
  • The Texas Department of Transportation has begun construction of Segment “E” of the Grand Parkway from I-10 to SH 290.
  • Fort Bend County has begun construction of the first two of 10 Grand Parkway overpasses in the portion of Segment “D” from FM 1093 to US 59.
  • Construction of all 10 overpasses and of Segment “E” should be completed by the end of 2013.

FM 1093

  • Fort Bend County has begun engineering design on the extension of the FM 1093/Westpark Toll Road. The project is in two phases.
  • Phase I consists of four lanes of FM 1093 frontage road from SH 99 to FM 1463, four lanes of main toll lanes from SH 99 to Spring Green Road, and a direct connector east FM 1093 to north SH 99. Construction of Phase I is slated to begin the fall of 2012 and will take 18-24 months.
  • Phase II of the project consists of four lanes of FM 1093 frontage road from FM 1463 to James Lane in Fulshear and will be about two months behind Phase I.
  • The project is funded mainly by TxDOT and the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority.

Park & Ride

  • The county will construct and operate a “Park and Ride” facility on property it owns on the north side of FM 1093/Westpark Toll Road between Mason Road and Grand Mission Drive.
  • The “Park and Ride” is funded by a federal grant. It is scheduled to be completed by late summer 2013.
  • Destinations from the “Park and Ride” will be to the Galleria Area, Greenway Plaza and the Medical Center.

FM 1463

  • A continuous right turn lane from north FM 1463 to east I-10 was completed in 2011 to reduce traffic congestion at that intersection.
  • Further improvements to FM 1463, a state road, requires the federal government to approve and fund additional feeder lanes from FM 1463 east along I-10 and an overpass at the FM 1463/I-10 intersection. Such approval and funding is not anticipated for several years.

Cane Island Parkway

  • To provide additional access to I-10, the county has been working with TxDOT, Waller County, City of Katy and various property owners and developers to build the Cane Island Parkway from US 90 on the north to connect to FM 1463 on the south.
  • Cane Island will include an overpass over I-10 about a mile west of the I-10/ FM 1463 intersection.
  • This project has been stalled by the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) insistence that the state and local governments provide full funding for the ultimate I-10 overpass, which is estimated to cost $30 million.
  • Another proposal has been made to FHWA for approval of a two-lane overpass over I-10. We currently await a response from FHWA.

If you have any questions or would like to see any of the real estate in or around the Katy/Houston Area, please feel free to contact me at 713-253-5678 or at Angela@AngelaKhomes.com