Jan

US Census Map: Interesting Demographics!

January 10, 2012 By Angela Leave a Comment

The 2010 US Census Map has been released in an interactive form. See who is moving in around you and the rest of the country. What areas do you see the most growth? Zoom in on a state and glide your cursor over the map and it will display every counties demographic layout….browse population growth and decline, changes in racial and ethnic concentrations and patterns of housing development.

See where your Katy Real Estate falls….. 2010 U.S. CENSUS MAP

View my Katy Real Estate page for more information on the homes in the counties that 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

Nov

Information Affecting Katy Real Estate: 2011 Demographic Update

November 28, 2011 By Angela Leave a Comment

Katy ISD

During the October 24 Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Pat Guseman, president of Population and Survey Analysts presented the 2011 Demographic Update that shows steady growth for Katy ISD, at a rate of approximately three percent each year over the next five years. While slightly slower than the rapid growth experienced between 2001 and 2009, the report shows approximately 23,000 additional students moving to the district during the next 10 years.

The district also announced that as part of the Long Range Facilites Plan process, Katy ISD has entered into the initial stages of the Attendance Boundary Modification process.

Last November, Katy ISD voters approved a bond referendum that included five new campuses -three elementary schools, one junior high and one high school. Four of the five campuses are set to open in fall 2012, and High School No.7 is slated to open in fall 2013.

As part of the attendance boundary modification process, Katy ISD has scheduled two public workshops, both to be held in the Katy ISD Educational Support Complex located at 6301 S. Stadium Ln. Public Workshop #1 was held on Tuesday, November 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The first public workshop reviewed the 2011 Demographic Update, as well as the values, assumptions and data that will be used in creating the attendance boundary recommendation for the new campuses. Attendance boundary recommendations were not presented at this first meeting.

Public Workshop #2 is scheduled for Thursday, December 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. At the second public workshop, the district will present the proposed attendance boundary changes and solicit input from the community.

For those community members who cannot participate in one or both of the public workshops, the district will post on its website online surveys. Oetails about the online surveys will come at a later date. Information about the ABM process can be found on the Katy ISD website.

Katy ISD is a TEA recognized district serving more than 62,000 students. Covering 181 square miles west of downtown Houston, Katy ISD is comprised of 53 campuses, and with more than 8,000 employees is one of the largest employers in the West Houston area.

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

Mar

Homeownership…what are the tax benefits?

March 2, 2011 By Angela 1 Comment

Real estate agents should never give their clients detailed tax advice. As a Realtor, we are licensed to help our clients buy real estate, not serve as their professional tax expert.

With that being said, the tax benefits or real estate ownership is something every buyer and every agent working with buyers should understand.

Tax benefits of buying a home include:

Home mortgage interest deduction: The interest paid on a mortgage or mortgages of up to $1million for a principal residence and/or second home is deductible as an itemized deduction. Most payments in the early years of a home’s loan mostly consist of interest, so this is an important deduction.
Home equity loan deduction: Homeowners can borrow up to $100,000 against the equity in their home and deduct the interest as an itemized deduction.
Property tax deduction: Homeowners can deduct from their federal income taxes the state and local property taxes they pay on the home.
Deductible expenses related to buying transaction: Various closing costs normally involved in a home purchase are also deductible; loan origination fees (points), prorated interest on a new loan, and prorated property taxes paid at settlement.
Home Sale exclusion: One of the greatest tax benefits of homeownership is when a person sells the home for a profit. Homeowners who lived in their home for 2 of the prior 5 years prior to its sale will not have to pay income tax on a huge amount of their profit. $250,000 for single homeowners and $500,000 for married homeowners who file jointly. This exclusion can be used once every 24 months.
Rental income- A little known tax benefit of homeownership is that the owner can rent it out for up to 14 days during the year and pay zero tax on the rental income.

Again, as a real estate agent, I am here to help you find the home of your dreams. If you need detailed tax advice, please contact your tax adviser. If you need any information regarding real estate in and around the Katy/Houston area, please feel free to contact Angela Kraushaar at 713-253-5678 or Angela@AngelaKhomes.com or check out my main website here: Katy Real Estate or here: Cinco Ranch Real Estate. I would love to help you find the home of YOUR dreams!

Sep

Katy Real Estate: Important Information Regarding Homestead Exemptions

September 2, 2011 By Angela 1 Comment

The Texas Legislature has made significant changes to the requirements for homestead exemptions. These affect all types of homestead exemptions, not just the regular homestead exemptions. The changes also affect over-65 exemptions, over-55 surviving spouse exemptions (all of which are considered homestead exemptions). Any new applications as of September 1 must comply with all requirements, which are outlined here.

• The recent session of the Texas Legislature imposed rigorous new standards of mandatory disclosure for those property owners who apply for any one of several kinds of homestead exemptions.

• In order to receive a homestead exemption for property tax purposes, applicants must now provide a copy of their Texas driver’s license or Texas state-issued identification card and a copy of their vehicle registration receipt with their application for a homestead exemption.

• Moreover, the addresses shown on each of the documents must be the same as the address for which the homestead exemption is sought.

• Applications for the exemption that are submitted by August 31 will be processed under the pre-September 1 guidelines.

Homestead exemption documents are to be filled out after January 1 and before May 1^st. It is my understanding that you can not get a General Residential Homestead Exemption unless you owned the property on January 1^st and you occupied it as your principal residence on January 1^st and you or your spouse have not claimed a residence homestead on any other property. This is a Texas Law!

View my Katy Real Estate page for more information on the homes in this continually growing community!

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

Jan

Katy Real Estate: Important Information Regarding Area Roadways!

January 16, 2012 By Angela Leave a Comment

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

Jan

Katy Real Estate: A Homestead Exemption Refresher!

January 9, 2012 By Angela 1 Comment

Effective September 1, 2011, in order to qualify for a residential homestead exemption you must provide the appraisal district with a copy of either your Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card.

The address on your drivers license or state ID, MUST match the physical address of the residence for which your are applying. This address must also be the same as the address on your vehicle registration. Attach a copy of your vehicle registration receipt to your homestead application. The ADDRESS MUST BE THE SAME on all of your documents, your license or state ID, your vehicle registration and the homestead application. Also note that the application form asks for the authorized signature(s) of qualified owner(s) so the husband and wife both purchased the home it is a good idea both sign the application in the event that there is a divorce or death, the remaining spouse can still maintain the exemption.

Listed below is important information to help you get an updated vehicle registration and/or and updated or new driver’s license or Texas-issued personal ID Card. Other useful links and information to get the proper homestead forms and information for filing are also listed.

HARRIS COUNTY

http://www.hcad.org/pdf/forms/11-13.pdf

http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/

FT. BEND COUNTY

https://actweb.acttax.com/act_webdev/fbc/images/homestead.pdf

http://www.co.fort-bend.tx.us/getsitepage.asp?sitepage=5767

To Obtain a Vehicle Registration Receipt

In order to change the address on your vehicle registration and obtain a Duplicate Vehicle Registration Receipt to attach to your homestead exemption application, please contact the County Office in which you live by phone or mail. You will need to complete and submit Form MV-440, Request for Texas Motor Vehicle Information, which may be obtained at any county office location, by mail or the cad websites. There is typically a small fee for the Vehicle Registration Receipt.

If You Don’t Own a Vehicle

Please complete the Non-Ownership of Motor Vehicle Affidavit on your homestead exemption application. This must be sworn statement signed before a Notary Public. You also need to attach a copy of your homestead exemption application of utility bill for the homestead property showing the bill is in your name and the utility address matches the physical address of the homestead property.

Texas Driver’s License

If you have a current Texas Driver’s License and you move to a new location in Texas you have 30 days to change the address on your driver’s license. The simplest way to do this is online. Go to www.txdps.state.tx.us and follow the instructions changing your address. You will need to have a valid credit card for paying the $10.00 fee, and you will need access to a printer so that you can print out your temporary receipt. Otherwise, call or go in person to one of the Texas DPS locations.

For a new Texas driver’s license (first time license or moving to Texas from out of state) go in person to a DPS location. You will need to complete an application, provide proof of identity (proof of Social Security, birth certificate, or an out of state driver’s license), provide proof of vehicle registration, consent to be photographed, fingerprinted, and provide a signature. You will need to pass a vision examination. First time applicants need to schedule a time for taking the driving test and pass both the driving and written test. Out of state applicants should apply within 90 days after entry into the state and need to be prepared to surrender their valid out of state driver’s license upon application.

View my Katy Real Estate page for more information on the homes in the communities in which these tax offices serve!

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

Jan

Katy Real Estate: Whole Foods Coming to Katy!

January 4, 2012 By Angela Leave a Comment

Katy Real Estate will soon be adding a new 122,439 square foot retail center that is being developed at the southeast corner of Grand Parkway and Fry Road. Grand Lakes Marketplace will be anchored by Whole Foods, Stein Mart and a proposed Cost Plus! The development will also feature approximately 38,000 square-feet of small shop space with prospects including Carrabba’s, Menchie’s and Massage Heights. View my Grand Lakes Real Estate page to view listings that are in the area of this new development.

“It’s basically an extension of our development on the southwest corner of Meadows Marketplace, which is basically 25,000 square feet of retail including HEB, Palais Royal, Hobby Lobby, along with some other retails,” said John Clinkscales, a marketing representative with Fidelis Realty Partners. “That property is fully occupied, and we’re working with Seven Lakes to begin construction (of Grand Lakes Marketplace) during the early part of next year.” he said. View my Seven Meadows Real Estate page to view listing in and around this up and coming area!

Construction is expected to be completed by late summer, and the development is hoping to open by Thanksgiving. Note that there is a Wells Fargo that is existing on the corner and that is not part of the proposed shopping center.

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

If you have any questions or would like to see any of the real estate in the Katy/ Houston Area, I would love to be the agent you choose to make your dreams come true. You may reach me at 713-253-5678 or at Angela@AngelaKhomes.com.

Dec

Katy Real Estate: The Dream of Owning versus Renting

December 29, 2011 By Angela 1 Comment

Now is the time! Own a home, rather than renting. If you have been paying attention to the news over the past few years, you know that the housing market has been in a deep depression. Luckily we live in Katy, Texas where the market is still above the nations average! From a sellers perspective, sometimes a market like this makes life a lot harder. But for a buyer, it can mean a wider world of options and limitless opportunities.

There are many factors that have contributed to the market’s instability, and one of them is that lenders are reluctant to give loans to homebuyers. After a housing crisis, it is not surprising that lenders would be more demanding. If you want to become owners rather than renters, you need to present a pristine financial profile. Here are a few tips to take into consideration so that you may become a homeowner in Katy, Texas in 2012:

*Pay down your debt before you even apply for a mortgage. The smaller your debt load, the better your debt-to-income ratio which lenders use to determine how much they will allow you to borrow.

*Check up on your credit. Paying down your debt in the first tip, will have the added benefit of improving your credit. Having good credit is another essential element in smart home buying. The better shape your credit is in, the better your potential to get the mortgage of your dreams.

*Make the biggest down payment possible. Zero down loans are out there but making a sizeable down payment can also save you money on mortgage insurance. A minimum of 20 percent down is a good idea, and if you can do more, so much the better. If you don’t think you can afford a down payment of 20 percent on the house you are considering, there are other options. Make sure when CHOOSING; choose the option that is budget friendly to you and your income level.

*Be an informed buyer. There is a seemingly endless list of things to know about buying a home, and the faster you want to buy, the faster you will need to learn it all. One of the best things you can do is find a qualified real estate agent to help you in your process. Agents have a wealth of knowledge and can assist you in every step of the way. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to make smart decisions that will make you a happy homeowner for years to come.

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

Dec

Falcon Ranch Real Estate: 24731 Cobble Canyon, Katy, Tx 77494 (For Lease)

December 1, 2011 By Angela Leave a Comment

This beautiful home has been updated with a sprinkler system, fresh landscaping, granite counter tops with new back splash, shampooed carpets and a fresh coat of paint. A new washer, dryer and Stainless Steel refrigerator are included in the lease price. Alarm system to be installed by owner and monthly monitoring will be tenants responsibility. Master bedroom is down with a huge game room located upstairs with 4 spacious bedrooms and a full bathroom. This is a great home with great schools!

Falcon Ranch Real Estate: 24731 Cobble Canyon Property Details

For More Information Or To Schedule A Showing Contact Angela Kraushaar

Listing Price: $2000 per month

Address: 24731 Cobble Canyon

Subdivision: Falcon Ranch

City: Katy

State TX

Zip 77494

MLS # (if any): 61924624

Square Feet: 2,791

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 2 1/2

Garage: 2 Car

Contact Name: Angela Kraushaar

Contact Number: 713-253-5678

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.

If you would like to view homes in all Katy subdivisions, check out my Katy Real Estate home page.

Katy Real Estate Photos

Nov

Cinco Ranch Real Estate: Fun Facts

November 13, 2011 By Angela Leave a Comment

•Cinco Ranch Real Estate started selling homes in 1991. Cinco Ranch celebrated its 20th Birthday in 2011.

•Cinco Ranch Real Estate was the #1 selling community in Texas and the #3 selling community in the nation in 2010.

•Cinco Ranch Real Estate residents can enjoy 9 swimming pools in the community including The Beach Club, The Water Park, The Lake House Pool and 6 swim-team style pools.

•Cinco Ranch Real Estate currently features 13 tennis courts located at Rosewood Pool, The Water Park, The Beach Club and North Lake Village.

•Cinco SW residents have their own community Intranet: www.MyCincoRanch.com

•The Lake House is a 6,000 sq. ft. building that can be reserved by any resident in Cinco Ranch (Cinco I or II). The building can be subdivided in to 5 different rooms.

•Spring Lake is a 37-acre lake surrounded by walking trails. One lap around Spring Lake is 1.87 miles.

•Cinco Ranch Real Estate features an i8-hole daily fee golf course. Residents receive discounted greens fees.

•Cinco Ranch Real Estate residents attend 16 different KISD schools. 15 of those 16 schools are exemplary. Seven Meadows HS and Cinco Ranch HS are exemplary.

•Two new elementary schools will be opening in CSW in Fall 2012. The new schools are located along Falcon Landing Blvd. and Ranch Point Rd.

•A new junior high is currently under construction on the same campus as Seven lakes HS. It will also open in Fall 2012.

•A new high school will be opening in Fall 2013 on Falcon Landing Blvd., just north of Cinco Ranch. The school will be built to accommodate 3,000 students and it will include a 9th grade center.

•Cinco Ranch Real Estate currently has over 11,500 completed homes.

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.

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 Search to view all MLS listings available in an around the surrounding areas!!

Oct

Katy Real Estate: Important Information Regarding Schools

October 31, 2011 By Angela Leave a Comment

Katy ISD

Katy ISD has learned that the Texas Education Agency has granted the district’s appeal on behalf of Nottingham Country Elementary, resulting in an elevated accountability rating for the campus from Recognized to Exemplary. Katy ISD filed the appeal in August, requesting that the TAKS mathematics commended performance for a specific student subpopulation be recalculated. The appeal was based on the fact that the status for two students had changed prior to testing.

Katy ISD now has 19 campuses rated as Exemplary, 26 rated as Recognized and five rated as Acceptable. Katy ISD as a district has been rated as Recognized for four consecutive years.

Katy ISD’s Exemplary campuses for 2010-11 are: Alexander Elementary, Exley Elementary, Fielder Elementary, Griffin Elementary, Hayes Elementary, Holland Elementary, Katy Elementary, Kilpatrick Elementary, Nottingham Country Elementary, Pattison Elementary, Rylander Elementary, Schmalz Elementary, Stanley Elementary, Stephens Elementary, Williams Elementary, Winborn Elementary, WoodCreek Elementary, Beckendorff Jr. High, and McMeans Jr. High.

Recognized campuses are Bear Creek Elementary, Cimarron Elementary, Creech Elementary, Franz Elementary, Golbow Elementary, Hutsell Elementary, King Elementary, Mayde Creek Elementary, McRoberts Elementary, Memorial Parkway Elementary, Morton Ranch Elementary, Rhoads Elementary, Sundown Elementary, West Memorial Elementary, Wolfe Elementary, Beck Jr. High, Cardiff Jr. High, Cinco Ranch Jr. High, Katy Jr. High, McDonald Jr. High, Memorial Parkway Jr. High,, West Memorial Jr. High, WoodCreek Jr. High, Cinco Ranch High School, Seven Lakes High School, and Taylor High School.

Acceptable campuses are Mayde Creek Jr. High, Morton Ranch Jr. High, Katy High School, Mayde Creek High School and Morton Ranch High School.

If you are interested in any real estate in any of the areas in which these schools feed, please feel free to contact me, Angela Kraushaar, at 713-253-5678 for more specific information regarding the market area. You may also view my Katy Texas Home Search to view all MLS listings available in an around the surrounding areas!

Oct

Home Affordable Refinance Program: HARP

October 28, 2011 By Angela Leave a Comment

There are new HARP changes to be announced in the next 2 weeks. Below is an excerpt of an article that was found that might help shed some light on the “new” plan to assist people who are either upside down or need help with a refinance.

Some mortgage lenders say that since the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP, this week, they have been swamped with phone calls from underwater borrowers who want to use the program to take advantage of today’s low rates.

“My phone has been ringing off the hook with the people wanting to refinance” through HARP, says Derek Egeberg, a mortgage planner in Yuma, Ariz. That’s because the old HARP rules allow borrowers to refinance at up to 125 percent of their homes’ current values. The new rules will remove that cap and will allow borrowers who are current on their mortgages to refinance regardless of how deeply underwater they are.

But these borrowers can’t apply to refinance yet. Lenders will not adopt the new HARP guidelines until regulators provide more details, which are forthcoming by Nov. 15. After that, lenders will probably take a few weeks to update their internal rules.

Egeberg says he hopes the new version of HARP works, but he fears that when more details are released in November, many eagerly waiting borrowers will be disappointed that refinancing their underwater mortgage won’t be as simple as they thought.

The reason why some borrowers might be disappointed is because the new HARP guidelines don’t address second mortgages. Borrowers can’t refinance using HARP unless the lender on the second mortgage grants permission, which does not always happen.

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. You may also view my Katy Real Estate Search to view all MLS listings available in an around the surrounding areas!

Angela Kraushaar

Katy Real Estate: Important Information Regarding Homestead Exemptions

Information Affecting Katy Real Estate: 2011 Demographic Update

US Census Map: Interesting Demographics!

Katy Real Estate: Important Information Regarding Area Roadways!

US Census Map: Interesting Demographics!

Information Affecting Katy Real Estate: 2011 Demographic Update

Katy Real Estate: Important Information Regarding Homestead Exemptions

Katy Real Estate: Important Information Regarding Area Roadways!

Katy Real Estate: A Homestead Exemption Refresher!

Katy Real Estate: Whole Foods Coming to Katy!

Katy Real Estate: The Dream of Owning versus Renting

Falcon Ranch Real Estate: 24731 Cobble Canyon, Katy, Tx 77494 (For Lease)

Falcon Ranch Real Estate: 24731 Cobble Canyon Property Details

Katy Real Estate Photos

Cinco Ranch Real Estate: Fun Facts

Katy Real Estate: Important Information Regarding Schools

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US Census Map: Interesting Demographics!

Katy Real Estate: Important Information Regarding Homestead Exemptions

Information Affecting Katy Real Estate: 2011 Demographic Update

Katy Real Estate: Important Information Regarding Area Roadways!

Katy Real Estate: A Homestead Exemption Refresher!

Katy Real Estate: Whole Foods Coming to Katy!

Katy Real Estate: The Dream of Owning versus Renting

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