Have you noticed all of the new listings coming on to the market right now? The inventory is building quickly and outpacing the sales more than in the recent past. Many of the new listings are coming on at what I call “wishful thinking” pricing. There’s a trend within a certain classification of homes in the Kelliwood market right now that appears to be gaining momentum. Is your home included? Call for details. Another scenario many Kelliwood homeowners are facing right now is some of their future high school children may be rezoned from Cinco Ranch to Taylor High School in the next school year. This may have a slight impact on property values in those neighborhoods. Many people ask for Cinco Ranch High School and choose those Kelliwood neighborhoods for that reason. Other neighborhoods... 02/16/2010

Parents of Katy ISD students please read this blog! The Katy ISD Trustees will meet this week on Wednesday February 17 at 6:30 PM at the District Education Support Complex in a work study session. The Support complex is located at 6301 Stadium Lane Katy TX. Check the agenda by going to the KISD web site and click on Board Meetings or click here . A closed seession of the Board will start at 5:30 PM. If you have concerns about what the Katy ISD Trsutees are doing here is your chance to start participating in these very important activities. The next regaular Board Meeting will be held February 22, 2010. As a note the regular board meetings are scheduled to be on the fourth Monday of any given month. 02/14/2010

Unfortuantely the DPS drivers license office in Katy was closed on January 29, 2010. The city of Katy for some reason declined to renew their lease. The office was located at 6202 George Bush Drive and it has been mentioned in the past that the drivers license office was in need of significantly larger space to operate efficiently. The DPS is currently searching for new space in the Katy area. Officials stated that they needed a 3,500-4,000 sq. ft facility with ample available parking and which also contains an area where testing can be conducted. Officials say  that they have no idea how long it will take for them to find a replacement facility in the Katy area. That is bad news for Katy and surrounding area residents. Any records on pending licenses and other applications have been mo... 02/13/2010

I have copied from the Katy ISD web site a list of questions and answers the District has provided regarding the recently announced rezoning of several neighborhoods into different Katy High Schools. I wrote a blog on February 9, 2010 that covers this issue and lists the neighborhoods that are affected. Katy ISD wants the information passed through the community.  1. Why was Katy HS not considered as part of the attendance boundary modification plan? With the goal of minimizing multiple campus moves for students, recognizing that two new future high schools are projected in the southwest sector of the school district, modifications to the current Katy High School attendance zone is not under consideration at this time. In addition, a future projected major reconstruction project at Katy... 02/11/2010

The Katy Independent School District will vote on a measure to rezone several neighborhoods from one high school area to another and the vote is expected on February 22, 2010. The bottom line is that Seven Lakes High School is predicted to have too many students and James Taylor is expected to not have enough. This was explained to a very small group of parents at a workshop held on Febraury 4, 2010. Elementary schools should have no effect as these schools are local to the various neighborhoods. Junior High Schools, however, will have to be affected as a Junior High School in KISD typically feeds one specific Katy High School and some neighborhoods will be changing which High School students will be attending. People attending the workshop complained bitterly that there was a lack of i... 02/09/2010

SHORT SALE VS FORECLOSURE? Should You Choose a Short Sale Over a Foreclosure? A reader asks: My husband and I have been making our mortgage payments every month even though our home is underwater. We owe a lot more than our home is worth. Now, my husband has lost his job. We're thinking about walking away from our home and letting it go to foreclosure, but my parents are telling us that we may qualify for a short sale. Which is better for us? A short sale or a foreclosure?" Answer: Whether you should do a short sale or let the home go to foreclosure depends on several factors. While for some homeowners, it is easier to throw up your hands and let the bank take your home, that might not be the wisest thing to do.   Short Sale Benefits Here are a few benefits for doing a short sale that m... 02/05/2010

Katy Real Estate News -Katy ISD Attendance Boundry Modification Written By Timothy Sojka, Realtor ® / Broker 713-822-2152 - shop for a home on-line at www.search-katy-homes.com (If you would like more information on Katy or to arrange a tour call Tim at 713-822-2152 or shop for a Katy or West Houston home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com) Attendance Boundary Modification It has come to our attention that there are several rumors running rampant through the community regarding the ABM. These rumors are inaccurate and we regret the unnecessary stress these rumors are causing some of our district families. Modifying attendance boundaries is a sensitive issue and accurate information is essential. We would like to take this time to address some of these rumors: Rumor 1) An e-mail is curr... 02/04/2010

In today's real estate market, certain homes in Katy, Texas are selling quite well and some are not. The homes that are selling are homes that are priced right for the condition. Not necessarily updated with all of the latest trends and fashions, but in good condition. Of course, homes that are not updated will always sell for less than updated homes, but certain buyers will sacrifice the latest trends to get more square footage or a better location. There are some things you can do to improve your home without killing your budget. While these things are not always inexpensive, the return on them is better than 1 to 1. Three common things you can do to increase the salability and sales price of your home include, carpet, paint (do not paint it yourself unless you are an excellent painte... 01/25/2010

In this economy, houses aren't selling like they used to. If you have a house on the market, or are considering selling yours, there are some ways to improve your chances. Here are seven tips that will make it easier to sell your house and make a smooth transition from one owner to the next. 1. Maintain neutralityThis policy has worked for Switzerland, and it can also work in real estate. Customizing your home is great if you plan to stay there, but extreme colors and themed rooms can scare off potential homebuyers. If you have customized every room with extremely bright or dark colored paint, wallpaper or wall fixtures, you may want to consider toning it down a bit. Using neutral colors on the walls can help prospective buyers create their own vision for the house, and will also leave... 01/19/2010

On Friday January 22 from 8 PM - Midnight and on Saturday January 30 from 8 PM - Midnight, The Barry Sea Paradox jazz band will play at the Mercury Bar in Katy, TX. The Mercury Bar is located inside The Villagio Town Center and the address is 22756 Westheimer Parkway, Suite 190 and is between Mason Road and The Grand Parkway (99). Barry Sea Paradox is one of Texas' hottest groups and they have a hit smooth jazz CD that is receiving significant radio air time. The group is comprsied of long-time Katy residents Barry and Bobbie Sea ( Siegel). For many years this group has played in several of Texas' finest clubs playing what they describe as smooth jazz with a rough edge. The Mercury Bar is a nice place to go and grab a drink ( excellent winr menu and beer selection)and enjoy meal as they... 01/14/2010

Hello, I just wanted to tell my neighbors, and future neighbors about an event I have planned in Febraury. We are having a children's Mardi Gras parade at the Westheimer Lake North Clubhouse on Febraury 6th from 10 to 12pm. So come out and see the kids decorate their bikes and wagons. There will be a DJ, facepainters, and much more. Prizes for best decoration. Hope to see you out there to line the route!! Thanks, Michael Schneller RE/MAX Grand 281-686-6878 01/13/2010

Hello, I just wanted to tell my neighbors, and future neighbors about an event I have planned in Febraury. We are having a children's Mardi Gras parade at the Westheimer Lake North Clubhouse on Febraury 6th from 10 to 12pm. So come out and see the kids decorate their bikes and wagons. There will be a DJ, facepainters, and much more. Prizes for best decoration. Hope to see you out there to line the route!! Thanks, Michael Schneller RE/MAX Grand 281-686-6878 01/13/2010

    Brought to you by!   The Watson Group Realty Re/Max Prestige 11143 Huffmeister Rd. Houston, TX 77065 Office: 281-797-3841 Direct: 281-797-3941 E-mail: thewatsongorup.remax@gmail.com www.thewatsongrouprealty.com 01/12/2010

          Brought to you by!   The Watson Group Realty Re/Max Prestige 11143 Huffmeister Rd. Houston, TX 77065 Office: 281-797-3841 Direct: 281-797-3941 E-mail: thewatsongorup.remax@gmail.com www.thewatsongrouprealty.com 01/12/2010

I have a premium service plan I advertise for seller prospecting that offers about everything a seller could hope for. Whenever I go on a listing appointment, I explain the premium service to the seller and finish up, as we all do, asking if they have any questions. If the...will you take less commission question comes up, I say, well yes. I have an alternative service plan I would be happy to show you. Then, from my brief case, I pull out my reduced fee service plan which is dramatically different from my premium service plan. I guess other agents before me did not approach the situation this way because many times the seller is speechless when the alternative is presented. I basically take out everything that costs me any money in the transaction including some services that take up m... 01/12/2010

Katy Real Estate News - Seven Meadows Property Value Update - 4th QT 2009 Written By Timothy Sojka, Realtor ® / Broker 713-822-2152 - shop for a home on-line at www.search-katy-homes.com (If you would like more information on Seven Meadows or to arrange a tour call Tim at 713-822-2152 or shop for a Katy or West Houston home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com) Seven Meadows continued to thrive in 2009.  The addition of more-high end dining and shopping to the area can only further enhance the market. Between October and December 2009, 96 homes have closed in Seven Meadows.  The average home was only on the market for 60 days and sold $333,000 or about $102 per square foot.  The average home was 3235 square foot. Home sold from about $165,000 to over $700,000.  Seven Meadows continues to... 01/11/2010

Katy Real Estate News - Nottingham Country homes sales through the end of 2009.  Written By Timothy Sojka, Realtor ® / Broker 713-822-2152 - shop for a home on-line at www.search-katy-homes.com (If you would like more information on Nottingham Country or to arrange a tour call Tim at 713-822-2152 or shop for a Katy or West Houston home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com) Nottingham Country had another solid year.  In 2009 89 homes sold.  Homes sold from $110,000 for a foreclosure to over $400,000 for the nice remodels.  House values per square foot ranged from the $50 to over $80 per square foot. This neighborhood is zoned to some of Katy best schools and is loaded with charm and beauty.  The location is also amazing and can only be bolstered by Katy New Hospitals. For more information... 01/08/2010

Katy Real Estate News - Falcon Ranch, Falcon Point Falcon Landing and Falcon Rock Property Update for 2009 Written By Timothy Sojka, Realtor ® / Broker 713-822-2152 - shop for a home on-line at www.search-katy-homes.com (If you would like more information on Falcon Point, Falcon Ranch and Falcon Rock or to arrange a tour call Tim at 713-822-2152 or shop for a Katy or West Houston home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com) A review of Falcon Ranch, Falcon Rock, Falcon Point and Falcon Landing shows that 127 homes sold in 2009.  Properties ranges in value from $132,000 to $365,000 and sold between about $70 and $95 per square foot. The average property sold in only 50 days, a brisk pace.  More importantly this well located community can only get stronger with it proximity to incoming Katy ... 01/08/2010

Katy Real Estate News - Chesterfield Year End Review 2009 Written By Timothy Sojka, Realtor ® / Broker 713-822-2152 - shop for a home on-line at www.search-katy-homes.com (If you would like more information on Chesterfield or to arrange a tour call Tim at 713-822-2152 or shop for a Katy or West Houston home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com)  Chesterfield had another banner year in 2009.  Although only five homes sold in 2009, Chesterfield passed some very important milestones.  The first home sold for over $250,000.  Two separate homes sold for more than $95 per square foot. Additionally, the days on the market per sale was only 30 days, a very brisk pace. For more information about Katy Texas, Chesterfield or the beautiful homes within the confines contact Katy realtor Tim Sojka at ... 01/08/2010

The Katy Seven Lakes High school boys basketball team plays Conroe at Seven Lakes at 7:00 PM on Friday January 8, 2010. The Spartans are 13-5 this season so far and have an excellent overall team balance. Right now the Spartans are probably the favorite to win the 17-5A district . The leading scorer is Jake Denver who is averging approx. 16 points per game but there 4 other players who are all averging approx. 13 points per game and these guys are Ryan Syverson, Princeton Onwas, Cameron Patton and Trey Pinkey. I wrote a blog about this team a few weeks ago when they HELD Yates to 88 points in a losing effort. Yates this season is 14-0 and beat Lee 170 - 35 this week. The total points scored by Yates set a Texas Boys Basketball High School record for the most points ever scored in one ga... 01/07/2010