Team DiMuria, Katy Texas Realtors

If you have gone to the old Cinco Ranch POA building on Mason Rd just south of Westheimer Parkway you must have...at some point wondered why such a successful Master Planned Community would continue to use a temporary eye-sore trailer as it's headquarters.

Well all that is about to change. Construction is now underway on a new Cinco Associations Office at Westheimer Parkway and Windermere Park Lane right next to the Willowfork Fire Station. The Cinco Ranch Board decided to build instead of lease because of the long term savings that would benefit the home owners of Cinco Ranch. Groundbreaking was September 4th and it will take a little over six months to finish. The current POA building will be used until the new facility is available.

This is an interesting question...it needs us to give a little history of the South Katy area to answer.

What Made South Katy Develop?

Many factors helped in the development of south Katy but we think the most important factor in the initial development was George Bush Park. For those who do not know Houston....George Bush Park is a large land grant given to the City of Houston to use as a sort of playground and environmental area...with one stipulation...it can never be built on (given the growth in Houston if they could have built, they would have!). This factor created what we can call a built in buffer zone between Houston and Katy...sort of the place the City ends and the Country begins.

Because of this buffer zone South Katy is actually not located in the City of Katy. The land is either in Unincorporated Harris County or Unincorporated Fort Bend County depending on location. The area is actually located in the ETJ of the City of Houston (and may at some point in the future be a part of Houston) and is controlled through the specific Counties. This allowed developers to gobble up the land and string together the beautiful subdivisions and master planned communities that really sets South Katy apart from the rest of Houston.

What Makes the South Katy Area Special?

When the developers saw the potential of the area, and because in large part they could control the growth and manage the land...they bought it up and laid out (read zoned) the areas within their borders. Much of Houston has no zoning so commercial properties like gas stations or fast food restaurants can be your neighbor if you do not understand the ramifications. The subdivisions and master planned communities in South Katy laid out the area with strong home owner associations to prevent this from happening. Residential home owners know what land can be commercial...if you buy a home that backs to future commercial...you will have made the decision to do so...you are not likely to get surprised by it, and certainly a strong Realtor will know what the future can hold for any available property!

Why Do Parents Love the South Katy Schools?

We live in the South Katy area and one of the main reasons for our move to the area was the KatyISD schools! Parents are involved...really involved...and that in my opinion separates these schools from the surrounding school districts. For those considering relocating to the Houston area, The KatyISD has specific programs to help new students quickly adjust to life in the area...also remember...we are one of, if not the top relocation areas in the World. Your kids will have lots of other classmates in the same position they are...looking to make new friends in a new area!

What Does the Future Hold For South Katy?

At one time South Katy was a very one dimensional area that lived off the Houston Energy Corridor. Most of the jobs and relocation clients came through companies like BP, Shell, Conoco Phillips, etc... In the past few years the South Katy economy has really diversified. Medical jobs and facilities have cropped up all over the area. With many full service hospitals, clinics, doctor, and dental offices come high paying jobs and an even greater quality of life. Shopping options like the Katy Mills Mall, the LaCenterra Mall, The Villagio Retail Center, and the soon to be built Grand Promenade have allowed those who live in Katy to stay in Katy...no need to head into Houston for a new outfit! Many restaurants have also decided to call Katy home in the past few years. Perry's Steak House, Fish City Grill, 3 Olives Italian Restaurant, Berryhill, Tokyo Steak and Sushi, etc... are all thriving dining options...and all are kid friendly. The future of South Katy seems very bright!

South Katy is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family!

It is that time of year again.

The 29th annual Katy Rice Harvest Festival is almost upon us. This year's festival will be held on October 10th and 11th and will be located in Historic Downtown Katy between Avenues B and C as well as 2nd and 3rd Streets.

Important Info:

Saturday Oct 10 from 10am to midnight

Sunday Oct 11 form noon to 6pm

Tickets:

Adults - $6

Children 12 and under - Free

Senior Citizens andMilitary - Free (with ID)

Free Shuttle Service
Parking by Outdoor Learning Center by Merrell Center
6301 S Stadium Lane

This festival is loaded with food, entertainment, contests, and more!

Here is the entertainment schedule from www.riceharvestfestival.org

2009 Katy Rice Harvest Festival

Professional Entertainment

Amateur Entertainment

This is one of the top rated festivals in Houston....so don't miss out!

IF you have any Katy Texas Real Estate questions contact Team DiMuria at 281-492-5916 or jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com

Find us on the web at: www.KatyHomeFinder.com

On Tuesday October 6th, 2009 The Cinco Ranch Property Assn will be hosting its third annual National Night Out. It will be held this year at the LaCenterra Mall in Cinco Ranch in the Heritage Square (middle of the mall by the fountains).

The event is designed to be a community wide effort to keep neighborhoods and neighbors safe. Members of the local police, firefighters, and sheriff departments will speak about personal safety and crime trends in the Fort Bend County area as well as Cinco Ranch specifically.

Groups that will participate in this years event are the American Red Cross, Sunrise Senior Living, LaCenterra Mall, and local Insurance, Fire Dept, Police, and Fort Bend County Sheriff's Dept.

If you have any questions about Cinco Ranch or Katy TX real estate contact Team DiMuria at 281-492-5916 or jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com

on the web at: www.KatyHomeFinder.com

If we ever hear a complaint about the Katy area it is the lack of trees Katy has. This is not to say we do not have some sections that are nicely wooded...Kelliwood, Nottingham, Parts of Cinco Ranch, Green Trails, and Windsor Park all have large shade trees. To this end add Pin Oak Village.

Pin Oak Village is a subdivision in the Katy area just south of I-10 that is not only heavily treed...it also has a large variety of home styles...something that is unusual in the Katy/Houston area. If you are looking for a neighborhood that does not limit itself to traditional south Texas homes (read: 4 sides brick with some siding) you will like Pin Oak Village. You can find Tudors, Victorians, Colonials, and of course Traditional Texas Brick homes as part of the Pin Oak Village Landscape. The beautiful large trees and close proximity to I-10, The Katy Mills Mall, the new Memorial Hermann Hospital, the Houston Energy Corridor, and the Award Winning KatyISD School District make Pin Oak Village a good choice for those moving to Katy from another part of the Country or City.

Prices in Pin Oak Village range from around $200,000 to over $400,000 with home sizes ranging from around 2000 sqft to over 5000 sqft. If you like a neighborhood that does not have a cookie cutter feel to it with lots of shade trees...while still remaining close to all the amenities Katy has to offer....make sure to add Pin Oak Village to your home search!

If you have any questions about Cinco Ranch or Katy TX real estate contact Team DiMuria at 281-492-5916 or jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com

on the web at: www.KatyHomeFinder.com