Aaron Layman's Katy Texas Real Estate Forum

Grand Lakes Homeowners Association Sets Fee Increase for 2008

With the approval of the 2008 budget, Grand Lakes residents will have a higher HOA bill.  The new HOA fee for 2008 will be $1060 for residential homeowners.  Grand Lakes has seen fee increases in each of the last several years.  Maybe PCMI can use some of that additional revenue to create a more functional web site to serve Grand Lakes residents!

For more information you can visit www.pcmi-us.com.

For more information about real estate and mortgage issues in Katy or West Houston contact Aaron Layman.  He is a licensed real estate broker and mortgage broker.  You can contact him directly at 281-994-5190.  You can also visit him on the web at www.AaronLayman.com.

Cinco Ranch Homeowners Association Approves 2008 Budget, HOA Fee

The Cinco Ranch Residential Property Association approved the budget for 2008.  A large portion (almost 40%) of the budget will be allocated for landscaping and landscape maintenance.  These expenditures are in line with other master planned communities like Seven Meadows and Grand Lakes which have a large portion of green space to maintain.

The board of directors also set the fee for residential homeowners at $800.  The $800 HOA fee can paid on-line at www.pcmi-us.com.  Like most area HOA fees, bills are due on January 1st but they are not considered late until January 31st.

For more information you can visit www.cincoranchpoa.com or www.cincoranchconnects.com

For more information about real estate and mortgage issues in Katy or West Houston contact Aaron Layman.  He is a licensed real estate broker and mortgage broker.  You can contact him directly at 281-994-5190.  You can also visit him on the web at www.AaronLayman.com.

Wood Creek Development Continues Plans For Commercial Development Within Woodcreek Reserve

While some Woodcreek Reserve residents continue to voice their opposition to commercial development within the neighborhood, it appears the plans to re-zone a portion of land are going forward.  Plans call for approximately 13,000 square feet of office or retail space on a strip of land along Kingsland.  In addition, a new expanded area of homes and commercial space will be built along FM 1463.  Some Woodcreek residents are concerned that the commercial development will adversely affect the views from their properties and increase traffic in the neighborhood.

For more information about real estate and mortgage issues in Katy or West Houston contact Aaron Layman.  He is a licensed real estate broker and mortgage broker.  You can contact him directly at 281-994-5190.  You can also visit him on the web at www.AaronLayman.com.

New Recreation Center Opening In Cinco Ranch, Katy Texas

A new recreation center will be opening on Spring Green Blvd. between Cinco Ranch Blvd. and Fry Rd.   A new LEED-certified community center will be the hub of the new recreation center, with other amenities and features yet to be announced.  The new recreation center will serve the 2500 acre phase of Cinco West and Southwest.  A grand opening is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend in 2008.

Cinco Ranch will also be opening a new model home village in May.  The model home village will contain over 30 new model homes from 13 different builders.

For more information about the new recreation center you can visit www.cincoranchconnects.com or www.cincoranch.com

For more information about real estate and mortgage issues in Katy or West Houston contact Aaron Layman.  He is a licensed real estate broker and mortgage broker.  You can contact him directly at 281-994-5190.  You can also visit him on the web at www.AaronLayman.com.

St Luke's Opening New Facility in Katy

The St Luke's Episcopal Health System will be opening a new facility in the Reserve at Grand Parkway.  St Lukes purchased 27 acres for the new site and is scheduled to break ground in 2008.  The announcement comes after Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital announced similar expansion plans in the Katy area.

For more information about St Luke's Episcopal Health System you can visit www.sleh.com

For more information about real estate and mortgage issues in Katy or West Houston contact Aaron Layman.  He is a licensed real estate broker and mortgage broker.  You can contact him directly at 281-994-5190.  You can also visit him on the web at www.AaronLayman.com.

Katy High School Claims 5th State Title

The Katy tigers capped their perfect  16-0 season on Saturday by defeating Pflugerville 28-7.  The Tigers performed their usual magic once again.  After struggling during the first half, the Tigers made the necessary adjustments and took control of the game in the second half.

Pflugerville did not see the end zone again during the second half thanks to a strong defensive effort.  Katy's Trent Hunter received the defensive MVP for the game.  Offensively, the Tigers adapted and found their targets.  Aundre Dean finished with 221 yards on 30 carries to lead the Tigers.  Dean also landed the offensive MVP award for the game.  Bo Levi Mitchell was only 7 for 15 passing with 143 yards, but three of those 7 completions were TD's.

The first of those TD strikes was a real momentum shifter.  Katy appeared as though they would go into the locker room at the half down 7-0.  Instead the Tigers pulled off a miraculous Hail Mary from the Pflugerville 45 yard line with seconds to go.  The pass was tipped by Joey Fuda and fell into the hands of Brian Rowe to tie the game as time expired in the half.

Coach Gary Joseph and his staff have done a wonderful job with the team all year, and the players have demonstrated an uncanny ability to adapt and succeed when the pressure was on.  The Tigers now have their state championship to culminate the effort.  Congratulations to the Katy Tigers for their outstanding performance!

Kickerillo's Grandeur Park in Katy Delayed Until 2008

Granduer Park, the 100 acre development of villas and town homes by Kickerillo Company has yet to start construction.  Originally scheduled for a Fall 2007 ground breaking, the development has been pushed back amid the softening market conditions.  The project will be located between Mason and the Grand Parkway just north of I-10.  The community will also be across the street from The Grand shopping mall.  According to Kickerillo's website, 29 acres of the 100 acre development has been sold to Sueba USA for a luxury garden-style apartment development.

For more information you can visit www.kickerillo.com

For more information about real estate and mortgage issues in Katy or West Houston contact Aaron Layman.  He is a licensed real estate broker and mortgage broker.  You can contact him directly at 281-994-5190.  You can also visit him on the web at www.AaronLayman.com.

Woodcreek Development Planning Office/Retail Space Near Pin Oak

Woodcreek Development Co has plans for several new projects.  The Reserve at Park 10 will consist of Class A office space near I-10 and Highway 6.  Woodcreek has also teamed with BPI Realty with a purchase of 87 acres near I-10 and Pin Oak.  That development will likely house both retail and office space.

For more information you can visit www.woodcreekdevelopment.com

For more information about real estate and mortgage issues in Katy or West Houston contact Aaron Layman.  He is a licensed real estate broker and mortgage broker.  You can contact him directly at 281-994-5190.  You can also visit him on the web at www.AaronLayman.com.

Katy ISD Trustees Approve Controversial Rezoning Plans

Katy trustees approved rezoning plans for 4 new schools this week.  The approval comes after much debate, particularly with the new Woodcreek Junior High and the new Seven Meadows Elementary. 

Residents of Avalon Seven Meadows voiced concerns with the rezoning of the new elementary scheduled to open next year with a consensus finally being reached that left Avalon residents zoned to Griffin Elementary, which is within walking distance of the Avalon development.

Cinco Ranch Highland Park residents were surprised to learn that they would be rezoned to the new Woodcreek Junior high next year.  The additional driving distance and lack of a direct thoroughfare to the new school were issues of concern.  After much debate the Katy board approved the rezoning plan for lack of a better alternative.

Katy officials are simply trying to meet the growing demand in the area.  Unfortunately there was no perfect solution for the problems presented with these rezoning efforts.  Only more campuses will solve the problem, and Katy ISD is working as fast as they can.

For more information about real estate and mortgage issues in Katy or West Houston contact Aaron Layman.  He is a licensed real estate broker and mortgage broker.  You can contact him directly at 281-994-5190.  You can also visit him on the web at www.AaronLayman.com.

Farmers Seeks Rate Increases in Harris County

Famers insurance has filed for rate increases for homeowners insurance in Texas averaging 2.5% statewide.  Harris County could see rate increases as high as 25% under the proposal.  The news of the proposed rate increases comes after similar attempts this year by Allstate and State Farm to raise their rates for homeowners insurance.

What's particularly disturbing in this case is that Farmers is trying to play the Hurricane Rita and Katrina card again.  A Farmers spokeswoman claimed that the rate increases were needed because of rising reinsurance costs.  The reality is that the reinsurance market has actually calmed this year because of the mild hurricane season.  It will be interesting to see if Farmers can furnish documentation of these rising reinsurance costs to state regulators.

For more information about real estate and mortgage issues in Katy or West Houston contact Aaron Layman.  He is a licensed real estate broker and mortgage broker.  You can contact him directly at 281-994-5190.  You can also visit him on the web at www.AaronLayman.com.