The Katy Texas Blog

Katy TX Real Estate Remains Hot...Master Planned Communities Lead the Way

Katy Texas continues to remain hot...both the temperature and the real estate market. Area 36 (Katy south of I-10) was again the top area for hotness on the Houston Association of Realtors hotness index (take the number of available homes and divide by the number sold). This means Katy south of I-10 sells a larger portion of it's available inventory of homes than any of the 80 areas surrounding the City of Houston.

Master Planned Communities have been leading the way in Katy for quite some time. Grand Lakes, Seven Meadows, and Cinco Ranch have all shown much faster turn times then average and increasing values (in a National market that is way down).

We attribute the robust real estate market to three things: Huge expansion of medical facilities in Katy (Katy is now being called Med Center West), The Award Winning KatyISD School District, and the proximity the the Houston Energy Corridor and Downtown Houston.

If you have questions about Katy or Katy real estate call or e-mail Team DiMuria at 281-492-5916 or jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com

On the web: www.KatyHomeFinder.com

Katy: be careful with fireworks this year...go to LaCenterra Mall

With the high temps and lack of rain we have been having in the Katy area we strongly suggest all residents and visitors please stay away from lighting your own fireworks. The best place to go on the 4th of July is the LaCenterra Mall. They have wonderful festivities, live music, give away events, and a beautiful fireworks display. You can bring your cooler and blankets or lawn chairs!

LaCenterra Mall is located in Cinco Ranch, Katy Texas on the corner of Cinco Ranch Blvd and the Grand Parkway (Hwy 99).

     Happy 4th of July from Team DiMuria www.KatyHomeFinder.com

Great New Place to have lunch in Katy!

If you are looking for a place to have lunch with friends, family, or clients, try the 3Olives Restaurant located in the Villagio shopping center! This restaurant just opened recently, and is owned by the same people who have successfully owned and run Bistro 829 for many years! They offer both a lunch and a dinner menu(the dinner menu is available for lunch as well), along with Daily Specials.

The lunch menu is varied, offering pasta, chicken, fish dishes as well as salads. The prices for the lunch items range from about $7 to 14. The portion sizes are good, and the service was great!

This restaurant is located in the Villagio shopping center, on the corner of Peek Rd and Westheimer . They offer a full wine list as well.

Price Reduced on 2622 Morganfair Ln in Lakeforest of Kelliwood

Lakeforest of Kelliwood, Katy (Harris County)  -  Announcing a price reduction on 2622 Morganfair Ln, a 6,254 sq. ft., 5 bath, 5 bdrm 2 story. Now MLS® $1,125,000 - Just Reduced!.

Property information

Cafesitos Restaurant Bar and Grill Re-opens in Cinco Ranch

We enjoyed Cafesitos very much, so we are pleasantly surprised that this Mediterranean inspired restaurant in Cinco Ranch, Katy Texas has re-opened after closing for a few months. Cafesitos has now added a very nice lunch menu and a variety of specials that range from a burger plate to tortellini in vodka sauce.

We frequented Cafesitos in the past for the wonderful appetizers as well as the large wine list, Mojitos, and Sangria. I would suggest coming in on Thursday night for the Sangria special...you get a full pitcher of Sangria for $15 all night long. This may be the best Sangria in town at a great price.

Specials at Cafesitos include:

Happy Hour from 4-7pm nightly with domestic beers for $2 and well drinks for $3. Wednesday is Mojitos night $4 each, Thursday is Pitcher of Sangria night for $15, Friday is Apple Martini and Cosmopolitan night for $4 each.

Cafesitos has a large party room, nightly specials for dinner, and live entertainment on Friday and Saturday.

Give this place a try...I think you will like it!

Cafesitos Restaurant Bar and Grill is located at 3750 Mason Rd, just south of Westhiemer on Mason. The phone number is 832-321-4675

For questions about the Katy area or Katy Real Estate call Team DiMuria at 281-492-5916 or e-mail Jeff or Mona at jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com

You can find Team DiMuria on the web at www.KatyHomeFinder.com

Newsweek Rates Four Katy Schools in Top 6% of all U.S. High Schools!

For some time we have been singing the praises of our local KatyISD schools. Newsweek Magazine came out with their yearly rankings of U.S. High Schools and we loved seeing four of our schools rated in the top six percent of all high schools in the nation!

The schools are Seven Lakes High School, Cinco Ranch High School, Taylor High School, and Katy High School (Katy High School also has the distinction of being the Texas State Football Champion the last two years in a row).

The schools are ranked according to a ratio using the number of Advanced Placement, Intl. Baccalaureate or Cambridge test taken by all students at the specific schools, and dividing that by the number of graduating seniors. Each of the schools have an index of at least 1000 (thus ranking them in the top 6%)

2 Story For Sale in Kelliwood Pointe

Stunning Pool with Katy Schools

• 3,169 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story "Traditional" - $285,000

Kelliwood Pointe, Katy  -  Kelliwood Pointe home near golf course with stunning pool/spa/waterfall and slide! Covered patio area for dining outside. Spacious kitchen with large breakfast area, family room w/ fireplace. This home offers both a formal dining room and a formal living room which could also serve as a study. Huge master suite with sitting area and large master bathroom. Award winning KISD schools, close to shopping, close to I-10, Westpark Tollway, and the Grand Parkway for easy commute.

Property information

2 Story For Sale in Cinco Ranch

Cinco Ranch North Lake Custom / Gated

• 3,672 sq. ft., 4 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $450,000

Cinco Ranch, Katy (Harris County)  -  Stunning Cinco Ranch home that has been updated in Gated section of North Lake! Gourmet Island kitchen that opens to family room. This home offers both formal dining and living rooms, along with a formal study as well! Huge game room upstairs, with 2 full baths upstairs as well. The back yard oasis has a great set up for your outdoor kitchen, a stunning pool/spa with waterfall, and plenty of patio area. The 3 car detached garage offers plenty of extra storage if needed! New roof in 2008! Award winning top ranked KISD schools, close to shops, easy commute into downtown or the Energy Corridor!

Property information

2 Story For Sale in Cinco Ranch Fieldstone

Cinco Ranch...Award Winning Schools!

• 2,072 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $175,000

Fieldstone , Cinco Ranch  -  This is a wonderful opportunity to own a home in the Master Planned Community of Cinco Ranch, Katy Texas! You can look forward to amenities like eight area pools including the Cinco Ranch Water Park, the Beach club, the Golf Club at Cinco Ranch, and much more. You will love the Award Winning KISD School District, the LaCenterra Mall, the Katy Mills Mall, so many medical facilities that Katy is being called Med Center West, and close proximity to the Westpark Tollway and I-10 for easy commute! This is an incredible deal!

Property information

Rooms To Go Furniture Distribution and Retail Center Coming to Katy

Rooms To Go, one of the largest furniture chains in the USA is setting up a full distribution center and retail center on I-10 in the western part of Katy off Igloo Rd. When fully complete and operational the center will be approximately 1.5 million square feet and sit on 118 acres! The complex should be open by late 2009 and will employ about 300 people and many additional contract drivers to supply areas such as San Antonio, Austin, Houston, etc...

This will be a fairly unique operation for Rooms To Go because it will feature all three of the companies brands; Rooms To Go, Rooms To Go Kids, and Rooms To Go Outlet, along with the distribution center. Below is a rendering of the Rooms To Go Retail Center that is under construction.

If you have any questions about what is happening in Katy or need information on Katy real estate please call Team DiMuria at 281-492-5916 or e-mail jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com you can also find us on the web at www.KatyHomeFinder.com

Family Home For Sale in Oak Park Trails

5 Bedrooms with Award Winning Schools!

• 2,976 sq. ft., 3 bath, 5 bdrm 2 story - $220,000

Oak Park Trails, Katy (Harris County)  -  Beautiful Ashton Woods Home with 5 Bedrooms (including 2 down), 2.5 Baths, a Gameroom that could be used as a Media Room or 6th Bedroom, a Gourmet Island Kitchen with Granite Counters, a Formal Dining Room, and a Large Pool Sized Lot!
The Neighborhood has a Pool, Parks, and Sidewalks throughout. Adding to this great value are Award Winning KatyISD Schools, Close Proximity to Shopping, I-10, and the Westpark Tollway!

Property information

Great New Mediterranean Restaurant and Market right here in Katy!

If you are looking for some tasty Mediterranean food STOP LOOKING-we have found a great NEW place! The name of the restaurant is Alsafa, it is located at 873 S. Mason Road(in the same plaza as CiCi's Pizza). This is a casual place that offers the traditional Mediterranean dishes, which include Hummos, Grape Leaves(3 for .99-what a deal!!!), Greek Salads, Kabobs of all kinds, Gyros, Baba Ghanooge and more! The prices are unbelievable! Very reasonable, what a great place to grab a quick lunch! They are also a market, and offer everything from fresh produce, meats, to a wide variety of dried goods as well. You can find everything you would need to create your own Mediterranean feast at home! They also have a large freezer section with prepared foods, as well as fresh take out. The restaurant just opened this week, and appears to be family run. We all need to support places like these that offer great food at great prices, or they will go away! So the next time you are in the area make sure to check them out. Their hours are 8am to 9pm 7 days a week!

 Again, the name is ALSAFA, and they are located at 873 S Mason Rd.

Summer Fun begins in Cinco Ranch!

Come check out the  free community event at Lake Point Park to enjoy some great music and tasty BBQ! Bring the family, friends, and neighbors and have a great relaxing evening in the park.  Bring your strollers, pets, blankets, lawn chairs and an appetite. What a great place to make some new friends and meet some new neighbors. Your children will have a chance to practice their calf roping skills at an interactive display.  Everyone will like the sounds from Deep East Texas brought by country singer and songwriter Keith Whitton.  There are only a small number of parking slots at the park, so we ask that you walk or ride your bikes. If you need to drive your vehicle, a shuttle will be running from the Kilpatrick Elementary School parking lot --Cinco Ranch Blvd and Gaston --to the park.

This is one of many great summer events for the residents of Cinco Ranch that will take place over the next few months!

3 Story For Sale in Seven Meadows

Get the best of everything!

• 4,635 sq. ft., 5 bath, 5 bdrm 3 story "3rd Floor Media Room" - MLS® $475,000

Seven Meadows, Katy  -  Spectacular David Weekley has it all! Soaring ceilings, wide plank hardwood floors, gourmet island kitchen with granite counter, stainless appliances, and built in desk. The formal dining room and two sided butler's pantry are accented in brick and the formal study/office has beautiful french doors! The first floor master bedroom suite has a sitting area, a large walk-in closet and a stunning master bath with granite counters and a separate tub and shower.
The second floor has four large bedrooms and an enormous gameroom for the kids!
The third floor media center has a half bath and a kitchenette...what a great place to hold a Super Bowl Party!
The award winning KatyISD Schools and the close proximity to I-10, the Westpark Tollway, the Grand Parkway, The Houston Energy Corridor, shopping, and restaurants make this a great place to call home!

Property information

Party on the Plaza in Villagio in Katy for Summer Evening Entertainment!

Are you looking forsomething to do outside while you are enjoying these beautiful summer nights? Villagio Town Center in Katy has the answer! Villagio has many different restaurants to choose from in which you can dine "al fresco" or inside, and afterward, starting May 28 and going through August 28th, you can then sit down, relax, and enjoy live music too!

Villagio will be starting their Summer "Party on the Plaza" series. Beginning May 28th, every Thursday evening through August 28th, they will offer live music along with promotional giveaways. What a great way to spend an evening! No matter what kind of fare you are looking for , Villagio has it! Restaurants include Berryhill for Mexican fare, Santorini for Greek fare, Tokyo Steak & Sushi for Japanese, Sadia Sports bar & grill for casual dining, Angel & Ox for Irish drink and fare, and soon 3 Olives for Italian fare,  plus Spalato for authentic Italian Ice Cream. If you are looking for a relaxing place for just a drink or a glass of wine, you can sit and relax at the e Bar.  AS you can see, there are many restaurants right here in Katy, all in one location, to choose from ! You no longer have to travel downtown to experience great cuisine!

Villagio is walking distance to many of the residential areas surrounding it as well. You can also find a great used or new book to read at The Bookworm, shop for trendy cloths at YaYa. There is a full service salon as well.

Be there Thursday evenings this summer for a fun evening that you can enjoy with your family or friends! Go online to www.New2Katy.com under the Arts & Entertaiment category to get details on what bands are playing and other Prty on the PLaza details. See you there!