A MAGAZINE FOR AND ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY

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A MAGAZINE FOR AND ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY • www.REandY.com
VOLUME
TWENTY,
NUMBER TWO
February 2013
Always On The Corner
Realtors shop Cinco Market
Cinco Ranch Realtor relations manager Lani Foster with Joe Rothchild/
Keller Williams Signature. Rothchild
received the Gold Club Award for 19
new-home closings in Cinco Ranch in
2012. (See page 13.)
Brighton Homes Opens Eagle Springs
Carissa Stickle/Better Homes and
Gardens Real Estate won the gift basket at the Brighton Homes’ Grand
Opening at Eagle Springs. Carissa is
pictured with Brighton Sales Consultant Cliann Herring. (See page 28.)
The Montgomery County Chapter
of the Women’s Council of
Realtors
Michelle Mihalko President Elect, Ethel
O’Dell Immed Past President and this
years State Governor and Marsha
Stevenson/Stewart Title. (See page 30.)
J. Patrick Homes award Realtor
Grand Prize and announces
new Full House program
Highland Homes Kicks Off 2013
Peggy Bell/J. Patrick Homes; Cindy with Texas Two-Step Event
Marchesani/Coldwell Banker; Todd
Grady/J. Patrick Homes; Glen
Rasberry/Ayers & Associates. (See March
issue for this story and
more about “Full House”
program on February page 11.)
Woodforest Fetes Top 2012
Realtors
Woodforest has named its top-producing Realtors for 2012, with Jeff
Morris of RE/MAX Integrity selling
the most homes in the community
for a second year. RE/MAX The
Woodlands and Spring was the development’s top realty office. (See page 34.)
John Cochran/Hometown America, Realtor;
CeCe Walker and Jean Ann Brock/Highland
Homes, Co-owner. (See page 16.)
Big changes for The Houston 1960 Chapter of
The Women’s Council of Realtors
2013 Line Officers are Chapter President Michelle
Murray with RE/MAX Realty Center, Pres-Elect Jacque
Kendrick/ Coldwell Banker United, Secretary Carolyn
Knigge/Core Lending, VP of Membership Cookie
Long/Allied Home Warranty, and Treasurer Becky Hill
with RE/MAX NW. (See page 29.)
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New-home sales increase in Humble
area communities of Eagle Springs and
Summerwood
New-home sales
increased by double
digits last year in the
Humble area communities of Eagle
Springs and
Summerwood, both
developments of
Newland
Communities.
Eagle Springs reported a sales increase of 11 percent, with 264 new homes sold in 2012. Last year, 234
new homes were sold in this 1,361-acre community, located
along Will Clayton Parkway.
At Summerwood, sales increased 14 percent, with
213 new homes sold last year versus 187 in 2011. A 1,500acre community,
Summerwood is located at the Sam Houston
Tollway and W. Lake
Houston Parkway.
Houston’s steadily
improving housing and
job markets, plus
major developments in
and around both Eagle
Springs and Summerwood, helped to boost sales in both communities, according to Kayla Webb, marketing director
for Newland Communities.
“Even though 2013 is only a few weeks old, Houston is
landing on all kinds of national lists of the best places to
move and find a job,” Webb said. “With an economy and
lifestyle anchored by Bush Intercontinental Airport and
major communities such as Eagle Springs and Summerwood,
the Humble and Northeast Houston areas are attracting an
increasing share of Houston’s regional growth.”
Both Eagle Springs and Summerwood are expanding their range of new homes and amenities to appeal
to homebuyers, Webb said.
Eagle Springs added townhomes priced from the
$160’s to its lineup last fall, and opened a total of six new
traditional single-family model homes. Eagle Springs also
opened a new recreational amenity, the Valley Springs
Clubhouse and Spray Park, last fall.
Summerwood has added new builders and is gearing up
for the grand opening of its newest “model home village” this
spring, where six decorated model homes will be showcased in a single location for one-stop shopping.
Summerwood has also benefited from the transformation of
the Sam Houston Tollway into a nonstop expressway
between U.S. 59 North and U.S. Highway 90.
For more information, please visit www.eaglespringstx.com and www.summerwoodtx.com
Realtors celebrate new Eagle Springs
amenity with a Luau
Courtney Renaud
with RE/MAX Legends
enjoys a Pina Colada.
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Firethorne Sets All-Time High Sales
Record in 2012 with 280 New Home Sales:
55.5% Increase Over 2011 Sales
Firethorne sold an all-time high of 280 new homes in
2012, recording a whopping 55.5 percent increase in new
home sales over 2011 for the Katy/Fulshear master-planned
community.
“This is quite a milestone for Firethorne,” said
Firethorne General Manager Wayne Meyer. “We’re
proud of our steady growth, with home values appreciating.”
He credits Firethorne’s success to the continued strength of
the Katy/Fulshear/West Houston economy, highlighted by the
Energy Corridor and the Texas Medical Center-West, outstanding public schools and the ongoing support from the
local Realtor® community. Realtors have been a cornerstone
to Firethorne’s growth, generating more than 79 percent of
its new home sales.” The industry norm in a new community
such as Firethorne is 60 percent Realtor-generated home
sales.
The Jimmy Franklin Team of RE/MAX Grand
Realty and The Joe Rothchild Team of Keller Williams
Signature Realty, ranked as Firethorne’s Top Two
Producing Realtors, respectively in 2012.
Newmark Homes – Fedrick Harris Estate Homes
showcased at Waterside in Riverstone
Fedrick Harris Estate Homes by Newmark Homes has
been extremely busy in the exclusive enclave located off LJ
Parkway. With the New Royal Villa Series offered buyers
are able to construct their dream home with the aid of
Newmark’s product development director, Rodney
Mican. Rodney meets with buyers and is able to modify the
existing plans if need to help create a unique home suited for
each family. As the exclusive builder in the 18 lot enclave,
Fedrick Harris Estate Homes offers plans from 3,600 sq. to
well over 6,000 sq. and are priced from the 600’s. For lot
availability and to view floor plans offered visit
www.NewmarkHomes.com (See ad page 9.)
Trendmaker Homes
builds in Barton Woods
This spring, Trendmaker Homes will open
their new, fully decorated model home in
the Barton Woods community, located off
Loop 336 in Conroe. Trendmaker currently
offers three different product lines with homes
starting in the 330s. The homes are loaded
with high-end amenities – buyers will marvel
at just how far their dollar can stretch in Barton Woods!
Barton Woods is a multiphase master-planned community
surrounding the 200 acre Carl Barton, Jr. City Park in
Conroe, Texas. This 300 lot community has excellent regional
access via Loop 336 to I-45. Wooded lots, hike and bike paths and
a future developer-planned amenity center give further desirability to this community.
Trendmaker Homes is recognized as one of the finest
home builders in Houston. Over the past 42 years, they’ve
come to define the concept of an affordable luxury home for generations of Houstonians. In Barton Woods, they continue to offer
nothing less than a superior home-buying experience. www.trendmakerhomes.com/communities/barton_woods/planlist
(See ad page 2.)
6 To advertise call 281-372-6865
Firethorne’s previous sales record high of 254 new homes
was set in 2010, when short-term federal tax credits were in
effect for first-time homebuyers.
Project-to-date, Firethorne has sold 1,630 new homes. Its
builder team includes such premiere homebuilders as
Ashton Woods Homes, M/I Homes, Perry Homes,
Highland Homes, Coventry Homes, and Plantation
Homes. New home prices range from the high $100s to the
mid-$800s.
In terms of growth, energy companies have relocated
employees to the Katy area, plus three major Houston hospitals, Texas Children’s Hospital, Memorial Hermann and The
Methodist Hospital, have expanded there. Firethorne is
located 10 and 15 miles west of the Texas Medical
Center-West Campus and Houston’s Energy Corridor,
respectively.
Firethorne is also attractive to the Houston relocation
market with its location in the top-ranked Katy ISD and
Lamar Consolidated ISD, and availability of lots typically
found in the country with all of conveniences of masterdesigned recreational amenities, such as state-of-the-art
technology and nearby shopping, retail, dining, entertainment, schools and medical facilities. The 1,400-acre community features 150 acres devoted to parks and recreational amenities, a 12-acre lake with surrounding
greenbelt, resort-style and competitive swim centers,
sports fields, hike/bike trails, parks and playgrounds,
discovery-rich wildlife observation area and a natural
bird habitat. It’s where the vibrancy of West Houston
meets the small-town charm of Katy/Fulshear. To visit
Firethorne, take I-10 west and exit Pin Oak to FM 1463, go
to www.firethorne.info, or call 281-693-1011.
February 2013
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Ashton Woods Touts Ready Homes in
Fast-Growing Firethorne
Ashton Woods Homes has several homes available in
Firethorne, a Katy community brimming with amenities that
reported record-breaking sales in 2012.
A centralized family room is the focal point of the 1.5-story
Cheyenne design, ready at 28834 Thornbird Court. The
kitchen overlooks the family room, brightened by a wall of windows, and the breakfast area and dining room both open to the
area. The design also has three bedrooms and three baths, dual
vanities in the master bath and a mudroom leading to the
garage. The home features a brick exterior with a stone-accented
entry and is currently priced in the $220’s.
Also available for move-in is Ashton Woods’ popular
Thornton design at 2822 Frazier Knoll. With four bedrooms
and 3.5 baths, the home has a galley kitchen open to the twostory family room and breakfast area and dual pantries for extra
storage. An upstairs game room is convenient to three secondary
bedrooms. The home is now priced in the $250’s.
Ashton Woods’ designs in Firethorne, which include five single-story plans, range from 1,804 to 2,743 square feet. Pricing
starts in the $190’s.
The 1,400-acre Firethorne experienced a nearly 54 percent
increase in home sales last year, and is currently ranked No. 11
on Metrostudy’s list of top-selling master-planned communities
in Houston. Residents enjoy an array of amenities, including a
competitive swim center, resort-style pool for more relaxed water
play, tennis courts, playgrounds, an indoor exercise facility and
play fields for lacrosse and other team sports. A large lake,
nature trails, ample green space and a wildlife habitat
enhance the community’s landscape. In all, Firethorne
devotes 150 acres to parks and recreational amenities.
Ashton Woods has an array of one- and two-story homes
available in Firethorne, a Katy community located just one
mile from Interstate 10. Prices start in the $190’s and several
homes are available this month. Pictured here is the
builder’s model home in Firethorne, the Danbury design.
Students attend top schools in the Lamar Consolidated
ISD including Huggins Elementary and Wertheimer Middle
School, which serves sixth grade only, as well as Briscoe Junior
High and Foster High School.
Firethorne is located one mile south of Interstate 10 on FM
1463. For more information on the community or any of Ashton
Woods’ other developments, visit www.ashtonwoods.com.
Recently named the #1 Most Trusted Homebuilder in
America in the Lifestory Research Most Trusted Builders in
America StudySM, Ashton Woods is known throughout the industry
for building homes with award-winning designs that inspire, and
offering homebuyers a high level of personalization options. Ashton
Woods is also the only builder to nationally utilize the
Environments for Living Platinum Program, a program that certifies the energy efficient status of our homes.
For more information, or to experience the excitement of
becoming another satisfied Ashton Woods homeowner, visit ashtonwoodshomes.com and search all of our new homes for sale.
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The Fort Bend Chapter of The Women’s Council of Realtors
Come out and join this wonderful group of
professionals and share in the education and
relationships being a member has to offer.
The Fort Bend Chapter has its meetings at Sweetwater Country Club the second Thursday of each month.
www.FortBendwcr.com
This month’s speaker Dr. Mike
Abdelsayad spoke on “Getting
Ahead of the Rat Race”
The State and members
of the Chapter’s 2013
TREPAC Trustee’s
Joann Stevens and
Joan Berger.
Winner of the Cross
Creek Ranch Door
Prize was Pres-Elect
Theresa Fehr.
2013
President
Kimberly
Shaw hosted this
year’s first
January
Meeting
RE/MAX Fine
Properties
raises $5K
for ARC
Foundation
RE/MAX Fine
Properties at the
ARC
Foundation’s
“Best in the
West” fundraiser
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary
Greene expands international division
Division Forms Advisory Groups for Asia, Europe, and the Americas
In a move that will expand service to Houston’s rapidly growing international community, the International
Division of Better Homes and Gardens Real
Estate Gary Greene announced today the formation of three Multicultural Advisory Groups
(MAGS) that will specialize in Asia, Europe,
and the Americas.
The Advisory Groups, comprised of agents
with demonstrated international experience and
expanded cultural education, will insure that the
language and cultural needs of clients from other parts of the
globe are addressed. The Advisory Group appointments parallel
the announcement by the Association of Foreign Investors in Real
Estate naming Houston as number four in the world for best
places to invest in real estate. It was the first time Houston made
the Top 5 Global Cities list.
“In 2012, foreign investment totaled $1.26 billion in Houston
commercial property, up 32 percent over 2011. We expect that
trend to continue. Insuring that inbound and outbound home buyers and sellers are serviced appropriately will send a message to
the rest of the world that Houston is a financially sound city to
invest in and an even better place to call home,” said Mark
Woodroof, partner with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Gary Greene.
For more information about Better Homes and Gardens Real
Estate Gary Greene, visit www.GaryGreene.com.
RE&Y ADVERTISING INFORMATION
(281) 372-6865 ★ Skip Bradley
10 To advertise call 281-372-6865
February 2013
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J. Patrick Homes announces “Full House”
Realtor reward program
J. Patrick Homes has a new and exciting Realtor incentive
package for 2013, the Full House Realtor Rewards Program. For
starters, the Full House program rewards Realtors with a
$2,500 BTSA for every additional sale after their first
sale in 2013. That’s in addition to the standard 3% commission on every sale.
Each sale in 2013 will also provide Realtors with one
entry into J. Patrick’s year-end drawing for a grand
prize vacation valued at $6,000.
Throughout the year, J. Patrick will also reward Realtors
with exciting door prizes at grand openings and other events in
its growing collection of quality communities throughout the
Houston area.
“We listened to Realtors and we are giving them what they
want with Full House – a very straightforward, easy-to-follow
incentive program where the rewards begin immediately, with
the excitement of a grand prize drawing at the end of the year,”
said Lisa Connell, marketing director for J. Patrick
Homes.
“Our slogan for
the Full House program is ‘We stacked
the deck in your
favor,’ and that really communicates the
J. Patrick Homes
attitude toward our
Realtor partners. We
want to do everything we can to help
them thrive and succeed,” Connell continued.
The “full” in Full House also reflects the J. Patrick Homes
philosophy of building, Connell continued. “Our new homes are
full of style, value and quality, and we are filled with appreciation and gratitude for all the Realtors who have helped us succeed.”
For 2013, J. Patrick Homes will have grand openings
coming up this Spring in Tannery Hill, its newest neighborhood in The Woodlands’ Village of Creekside Park
West. Also coming up is the grand opening of Barrington
Kingwood, a gated enclave surrounded by golf views and offering estate-size homesites.
For more details, please visit www.jpatrickhomes.com
J. Patrick now selling in Barrington Kingwood
J. Patrick Homes is now selling luxurious homes
priced from the $400’s on estate-sized homesites in
Barrington Kingwood. A beautifully decorated model
home will open later this Spring, but don’t wait
because now is the time for buyers to enjoy first pick
of scenic homesites ranging from 80 to 100 feet wide.
Surrounded by the breathtaking Lakes Course of the
renowned Kingwood Country Club, Barrington
Kingwood represents one of the final opportunities to own a
new home in the legendary Kingwood master-planned community.
A gated enclave limited to only 200 homesites,
Barrington Kingwood offers a private 18,000-square-foot
Manor House amenity, and is literally across the street
from baseball and soccer fields, horse stables, Lake Houston
and parks. Conveniences including Starbucks, Carrabba’s
Italian Grille are a quick bike ride away on the greenbelt
trails.
Don’t miss this opportunity to get pre-opening pricing
and first pick of homesites in Barrington Kingwood. Call
Todd Grady, J. Patrick Homes sales associate, at 281852-2050, or go to www.jpatrickhomes.com.
February 2013
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Realtors shop Cinco Market
Right before the holidays, Realtors converged on Cinco
Ranch to celebrate a popular annual tradition, the Cinco
Market. This market is filled with everything from the latest
electronics to holiday decorating and entertaining items, which
Realtors purchase using the “Cinco Dinero” they’ve earned
throughout the year from their new-home sales in this popular Katy community. The year’s top producing Realtors and
onsite Realtor salespersons are also recognized at this event.
Cinco Ranch Realtor
relations manager
Lani Foster and James
Armstrong/Trendmaker
Homes. With 52 closings,
Armstrong was the top
sales person in Cinco
Ranch in 2012.
Kathy Edwards/Perry
Homes; Lisa Miles/
Better Homes and
Gardens Real Estate
Gary Greene; Clarann
McCoy/Heritage Texas
Properties
Darla Dever/Prudential
Anderson Properties, is
excited about her purchase.
Rosabla Chiquillo and Eneida Adrianza, both with
RE/MAX Grand, each won Silver Club awards. Each had
eight new-home closings in Cinco Ranch in 2012.
February 2013
(Continues on page 27 & 34.)
l/Realty
Brenda Campbel
nna
Pros of Texas; LaDo d
an
Gr
AX
/M
Russell, RE
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FOR NEW RESIDENTS OF CROSS CREEK
RANCH, IT’S “LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!”
“Connected Homes” are coming to Cross Creek
Ranch, the fast-growing west Houston master-planned community just minutes from the Grand Parkway and the Westpark
Tollway.
Families who purchase a new home in Cross Creek
Ranch by March 15, 2013 will receive a completely
installed all-wireless home entertainment and security
package with a 55-inch, LED 3D Smart TV and sound
bar, wireless blue tooth and a Blu-Ray Disc Player.
Offered by Connect One, the package also includes two
monitoring cameras, a lighting package and a one-year
monitoring service.
The Cross Creek Ranch Connected Home package allows
a family to control their home’s thermostat and lighting, monitor networked appliances and arm or disarm its security system right from a mobile device. It also allows families to use a
mobile device to select music to play on the home’s networked
speakers.
Locally owned and operated since 1989, Connect One is an A+
member of the Better Business Bureau having completed more
than 200,000 home entertainment and security installations.
“This package is a real difference-maker, particularly
among families with children,” says Cross Creek General
Manager Rob Bamford. “It places the power of home
automation right in the palm of one’s hand.”
A demonstration of the home entertainment and security
package is available at the Cross Creek Welcome Center.
Cross Creek Ranch, one of the top 20 best-selling
master-planned communities in the United States, also
offers miles of hike-and-bike trails, a fitness center and sports
complex with tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball
court and playgrounds for all ages. Plus, several parks are located within walking distance of every neighborhood in the community, including Canine Commons, a fenced one-acre dog park
with areas designated for large and small breed dogs.
Recently, the community announced plans to open a second pool Memorial Day weekend.
Located at the crossroads of FM 359 and FM 1093,
Houston’s 2012 Master-Planned Community of the Year also is
home to the largest model home collection in the Houston area
with fully furnished residences from Highland Homes,
Lennar Homes, Newmark Homes, Perry Homes,
Trendmaker Homes and Village Builders. Cross Creek
Ranch custom-home builders include Avanti Homes,
Huntington Homes Partners in Building and Taylor
Morrison.
Connected Home offer may vary by individual builder.
Please see each builder for details. Not all builders may participate. Offer is by Connect One Security is not transferable and
not affiliated with The Johnson Development Corp., Cross
Creek Ranch or its builders. Connect One is responsible for all
equipment installation. Some limitations may apply. Taxes may
apply depending on jurisdiction. Available while supplies last.
Families in the community currently attend schools in the
Katy ISD and the Lamar Consolidated ISD. Cross Creek
Ranch is a project of Johnson Development. For more information, go to www.crosscreektexas.com.
February 23 The Heritage
at Towne Lake will host its
Fourth Annual Car Show on
Saturday - from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Registration is now open for owners interested in entering their
cars, trucks and motorcycles into
the show. Contact Amber Miller at
281-373-0970 or [email protected].
14
RE&Y ADVERTISING &
GENERAL INFORMATION
(281) 372-6865
Skip Bradley
February 2013
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Highland Homes Kicks Off 2013 with Texas Two-Step Event
Highland Homes kicked off 2013 at its annual Realtor gala
Friday, January 18 at Hotel ZaZa to sounds of a steel guitar
and boot scootin’ fun! This event marks Highland’s 8th year
in Houston and what they hope to be their most successful
year yet. Realtors were treated to a beautiful ballroom with
delicious cuisine, spirits and entertainment as many prizes
were given out and they award the biggest prize of the night;
a 2013 Mercedes E350.
Each Realtor with 3 or more sales from 2012 was given
the chance to pick a key that could open the door to the brand
new car. John Cochran was nervous standing in line for his
Mom, Barbara Lee Cochran, a veteran Realtor from the
Sugar Land area who was on a cruise with her husband for a
celebratory vacation. Luckily for Barbara Lee, her son
John selected the correct key to win her a new car!
“It’s always a fun and exciting night for Highland and all
the Realtors who attend,” said Tony Marchbanks, Houston
Division Vice President. “And we announced our new
Realtor promotion for 2013 at the party which everyone was
really excited about.”
Highland will give-a-way not one but two cars for
qualifying Realtor sales in 2013. Realtors must sell 2
homes by June 30, 2013 to qualify for the car give-away in July and 2 homes between July 1, 2013 and
December 31, 2013 to be eligible for the car-give-a-way
in January 2014. Realtors were thrilled about this news.
Highland is offering the chance to win the cars in addition to
their ongoing Realtor Rewards programs giving a 1%
bonus for a Realtors second sale and a 2% bonus for
the third and all subsequent sales. Plus, Highland
reimburses Realtors 1% of the sales price for home
sales with a valid relocation contract.
Highland Homes offers beautifully designed homes priced
from the $150s to $700s. Visit over 20 Houston area commu-
John Cochran/Hometown America, Realtor; CeCe Walker and
Jean Ann Brock/Highland Homes, Co-owner.
nities for more details or go online to www.highlandhomes.com to view a full list of homes ready for immediate move-in.
Weichert Realtors® - Wayne Murray
Properties has announced that Realtor
Teya M. Grayned has joined the sales
team at the company’s Sugar Land
office. An eight-year resident of the area,
she will assist homebuyers and sellers in
the vicinities of Pearland, Friendswood,
and South Houston. She lives in Pearland.
Grayned is a member of The Houston
Association of Realtors (HAR), The Texas
Association of Realtors (TAR), and the
National Association of Realtors (NAR).
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Newmark
Homes adds
their 5th
product line to
Pine Mill Ranch
Currently building
in 45’, 55’, 70’, and
80’ sections in one of Katy’s most sought out community,
Pine Mill Ranch; Newmark Homes has opened their NEW
60’ Section with homes starting from the $250’s. With a
new model currently under construction, many of the new
60’ plans have received a facelift. The model is set to be
completed in March. The Windsor plan features 3,278
sq. ft. of living space with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. Visit
NewmarkHomes.com to see all plans offered.
Cinco Ranch is No. 4 top community in national sales study
Katy’s Cinco Ranch community is a national powerhouse in new-home
sales. The 8,100-acre community ranks No. 4 in the nation – and No. 2 in
Texas – for the number of new homes sold in 2012, according to a new report
from RCLCO, a national real estate consulting firm.
A total of 982 new homes were sold in Cinco Ranch last year, representing a 14 percent increase for the community over last year’s report from
RCLCO. For 2011, RCLCO reported 862 new-home sales in Cinco Ranch.
Last year was a significant year for Cinco Ranch, with the opening of
the first homes for sale in the 492-acre expansion site that was
acquired in 2010, said Heather Gustafson, marketing director for
Newland Communities, the developer of Cinco Ranch.
This additional acreage will provide homesites for more than 1,000 new
homes in Cinco Ranch, Gustafson added. (Continues on page 27.)
Riverstone Introduces New Neighborhood
of Millwood
New homesites are
available in Riverstone,
one of Houston’s
fastest-growing communities, as three wellknown Houston
builders are moving
into the new neighborhood of Millwood.
Riverstone was
recently ranked No. 3
Newmark Homes, Perry Homes and
and No. 7, respectively,
Trendmaker Homes are now selling in
on Houston and nationRiverstone’s newest neighborhood,
al lists of top-selling
Millwood, an enclave of 55-foot homesites.
master-planned commu- Pricing for the neighborhood starts in the
nities. For a second con- $250’s and each builder has plans for new
secutive year, the devel- model homes there. (Pictured here is a model
opment reported record- home by Trendmaker in the nearby
breaking sales, with
Riverstone neighborhood of Sweetbriar.)
new-home sales
increasing 100 percent in 2012 from the previous year.
Newmark Homes, Perry Homes and Trendmaker
Homes are offering plans for 55-foot properties, continuing the
popular program the three builders introduced in Riverstone’s
Sweetbriar neighborhood. Each builder has started construction
on a model home for the neighborhood, including a new design
by Newmark. Several inventory homes also are underway,
showcasing the neighborhood’s variety of available one- and
two-story designs. Buyers can choose from homes with as many
as five bedrooms, game rooms and separate media rooms, threecar garages and more. Newmark’s pricing begins in the $250’s,
designs by Perry Homes are base-priced in the $300’s and
(Continues on page 22.)
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Riverstone continued...
Newmark
Homes
announces
NEW section in
Woodforest!
Named #7 in the
Top 10 Houston
communities and
#19 in the Top 20 communities in the nation, Newmark
Homes is excited to open their new section of estate lots with
homes priced from the
$370’s. The new 39 lot
section is flanked by
multiple reserves creating a scenic section
for buyers to call home.
To view featured plans
visit www.newmarkhomes.com
Cinco Ranch awards top Realtors
Cinco Ranch recently awarded its top-producing Realtors for
2012, noting that Realtors played an important role in helping
the Katy master-planned community achieve a 10% increase in
new-home sales last year.
A total of 949 new homes were sold in Cinco Ranch last
year, a 10% increase over last year’s total of 861 sales. Realtors
participated in 82 percent of these sales.
★ The top producer and winner of the Diamond
Award was Stacy Thompson/Prudential Anderson
Properties, who had 11 closings last year. ★ Nancy
Castelvi with RE/MAX Fine Properties, won the Gold
Award with 10 closings. ★ There was a tie for the Silver
Award, with Eneida Adrianza and Rosabla Chiquillo, both
closing eight homes last year. Both are with RE/MAX Grand.
Top Realtor Teams
Cinco Ranch also recognized the year’s top Realtor teams
and offices at its annual Cinco Market event.
• With 30 closings, the Jimmy Franklin Team at
RE/MAX Grand won the first-place Diamond Club Award.
• With 19 closings, the Joe Rothchild Team at Keller
Williams Signature won the Gold Club Award.
• The Silver Club Award went to the Kyle McDonnell
Team at RE/MAX Cinco Ranch, which had 14 closings.
• With 10 closings, the Karen Karapasha Team at
RE/MAX Westside took the Bronze Club Award.
Top Realtor Offices
• With 89 closings in Cinco Ranch last year, RE/MAX
Grand won the Top Realtor Office Award.
There was a tie for the second place office, with
Coldwell Banker United-Mason Rd. and RE/MAX Cinco
Ranch each closing 41 homes.
Top Builder Sales Consultants
Cinco Ranch also recognized its top onsite homebuilder sales
consultants at the awards ceremony. By dollar volume, the top
three homebuilder sales consultants in Cinco Ranch sold a total
of 142 new homes with an overall value in excess of $56 million.
The first-place Diamond Award for dollar volume
went to James Armstrong/Trendmaker Homes. Andy
Lewis/Village Builders won the Gold Award for dollar volume, and the Silver Award went to Mark
Armistead/Highland Homes.
Builder sales consultants were also recognized by the total
number of closings they had last year in Cinco Ranch.
• With 52 closings, James Armstrong/Trendmaker won
the Diamond Award. • Andy Lewis/Village Builders, won
22 To advertise call 281-372-6865
Trendmaker, which is also introducing several new plans in
the neighborhood, starts its pricing in the $290’s.
Also offering homes in Riverstone, with pricing from the
$200’s to the millions, are Ashton Woods, Darling Homes,
Coventry Homes, David Weekley Homes, Fedrick,
Harris Estate Homes, Highland Homes, Meritage
Homes, Partners in Building, Taylor Morrison, Toll
Brothers and Westin Homes. Custom home builders
include Christopher Sims Custom Homes, Lespreance
Construction, Sterling Classic Homes, Teramor
Custom Homes and Westport, which also offers a line of
patio homes in Riverstone, The Manors by Westport.
Wide-ranging amenities are open in the community,
including resort pools, miles of hike-and-bike trails, tennis,
catch-and-release fishing and a bark park. A new 17-acre
water park begins construction this year and is slated to
open in 2014. For details, visit www.riverstone.com
Martha
Schauer,
Marketing
Rep for
Champions
School of
Real Estate,
presents a
"How To
Renew”
class for new and seasoned agents with Register Real
Estate Advisors. Email today to schedule a class for your
office. [email protected]
Summerwood sends Top Producers across the globe
Summerwood touted travel as the theme of its 2012
Realtor incentive program, and the prizes were flying as
the wooded Humble ISD community recently celebrated
with its Top Producers at an elegant event at Fleming’s
Steakhouse. Renae Jackson/Coldwell Banker United
(right) was the #1 Top Producer, receiving the grand
prize Trip to Rome from Summerwood’s Eileen
Bustamante. Full story and more photos to come in next
month’s issue!
the Gold Award for 49 closings. • The Silver Award went
to Louise Florence/Lennar Homes, who had 45 closings. •
Mark Armistead/Highland Homes, won the Bronze Award
for 41 closings.
Cinco Ranch offers new homes priced from the $180’s to
over $1 million. For more information, visit
www.cincoranch.com
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Luxurious Patio Homes Offered in Wooded Neighborhoods Throughout The Woodlands
The Woodlands is home to lavish patio homes built
available in April
by Coventry, Darling, Village Builders and Jeff Paul
of 2013. Village is an
Custom Homes. One-, one-and-a-half- and two story
Energy Star Builder.
homes are offered, priced from the upper $250’s to more
Jeff Paul
than $1 million.
Custom Homes
Coventry Homes, a division of MHI
offers the spirit of
Partnership, Ltd., presents patio homes, priced from
the South of France
the $300’s to the $340’s, in the gated community of
through its custom
Timarron Lakes within the 240-acre neighborhood of
villas in the
Timarron in the Village of Creekside Park. These
enclave of
homes range in size from approximately 2,061 to 2,651
Cartouche, situated
square feet and include two to three bedrooms with some
in the gated commuhomes featuring a separate casita, two to three-and-anity of Carlton
half baths and two- to three-car garages. Options are
Woods near the
numerous. Many extra touches are standard in these
Jack Nicklaus
homes as well as energy saving features.
Coventry Homes presents patio home designs in the Signature golf
Priced from the $480’s to the $600’s, Darling high- gated enclave of Timarron Lakes within Timarron course. These patio
lights patio homes with varied elevations in the neigh- in The Woodlands’ Village of Creekside Park.
homes range in size
borhood of Lake Voyageur in the Village of Creekside Plan 5863 (pictured) is a one-story home which feafrom approximately
Park. These patio homes range in size from approximate- tures 2,578 square feet of living space, three bedrooms, 3,200 to 5,000 square
ly 2,896 to 3,771 square feet and include three bedrooms, study, dining room, outdoor living areas including a
feet and are priced
two-and-a-half to three full baths with two half baths and front porch, side atrium and rear covered patio, twofrom the $800’s to
up to three-car garages. Amenities vary and can include and-a-half baths, a two-car garage along with energy more than $1 mila guest casita, study, upstairs game and media rooms,
lion. A golf membersaving features. This home is priced from $342,990.
optional wine grotto and extensive outdoor living areas.
ship incentive to The
All residences are built to high energy-efficient standards.
Club at Carlton Woods is included. Terms and conditions apply.
Village Builders also features new patio homes in
The Club at Carlton Woods is home to the Nicklaus course and a
Lake Voyageur with residences priced from the upper $250’s to Tom Fazio Championship golf course, located in Carlton Woods
the $310’s. Village Builders highlights 14 unique designs with
Creekside.
sizes ranging from approximately 1,949 to 2,754 square feet.
Additional patio home neighborhoods will be available in
Homes include two to three bedrooms, two to three-and-a-half
the near future in The Woodlands. For more information on new
baths and two-car garages. Floor plans vary and can include a
homes in The Woodlands, priced from the $200’s to more than $4
study, formal dining room, side courtyard and a rear covered
million, visit The Woodlands Homefinder Center at 2000
patio. One home is ready for move-in now with two homes Woodlands Parkway and log on to www.thewoodlands.com.
The Woodlands and Bridgeland Rank
Among Top MPCs in the U.S. for 2012
The 2012 rankings from RCLCO are out, and The
Woodlands and Bridgeland have again ranked high
among master-planned communities in the nation. The
Woodlands continues to rank #1 in Texas in terms of new home
sales with 1,007 home sales in 2012, and #3 in the U.S. Sister
community Bridgeland, also developed by The Woodlands
Development Company, a division of The Howard Hughes
Corporation (HHC), ranks #5 in Texas and #15 in the country
with a total of 423 sales in 2012.
For the complete list, visit www.rclco.com. For more information on The Woodlands, visit www.thewoodlands.com and
for Bridgeland, www.bridgeland.com.
The Woodlands Waterway Cruiser in front of The
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
24 To advertise call 281-372-6865
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Summerwood treats Realtors to Supper Club
Four times a year, Summerwood invites Realtors with newhome closings in the wooded Humble ISD community to the
Summerwood Supper Club at one of the Houston area’s most
elegant restaurants, to thank them for their support. In
October, the Summerwood Supper Club was held at Grotto
Ristorante. As always, Realtors received a $100 gift card as a
“thank you” for each closing, and door prizes highlighted
the exciting travel destinations that Summerwood will
award to its top producers after the end of the year.
(Continued from January issue.) More American Express Gift Card winners.
Lonnie and
Renae Jackson/
Coldwell Banker
United, Realtors
received 4 Gift
Cards for 4 closings in Third
Quarter.
Jennifer and
Dax Riley,
Trustmore Realty
Laura Ann
Duke/Coldwell
Banker United
Tonya Mitchell/
Century 21 Garlington,
receives two gift cards for
her new-home closings
Pat Williams/Coldwell
Banker United, Realtors
Sandra Williams
and Brenda Tenas,
Key Realtors
Cindy and Larry
Williams, Real
Living Houston Home
Sales
February 2013
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Realtors shop Cinco Market continued...
Diane Kiecke, RE/MAX Cinco
Ranch, goes for the silver.
With combined sales volume of over $56 million, the top
three builder salespersons in Cinco Ranch in 2012
included Mark Armistead/ Highland Homes; Andy
Lewis/ Village Builders; and James Armstrong/
Trendmaker Homes.
Coldwell Banker Unite
d agents
Patti Lacy, Lu Haas
and
Gretchen Barrilleaux
Cinco Ranch is No. 4 top community continued...
Along with new neighborhoods and decorated model homes opening
in the newest area of Cinco Ranch, the community also added new products such as patio homes. Three new Katy ISD schools also opened in
Cinco Ranch in 2012, and the landmark LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch
complex broke ground for a 40,000-square-foot expansion, with the first
new retailers opening this spring.
Cinco Ranch is continuing its forward momentum in 2013,
with new homebuilders including Toll Brothers opening new
models this spring, and a new recreational amenity opening in summer.
Cinco Ranch offers new homes priced from the $180’s to over $1
million. For more information on Cinco Ranch, please visit www.cincoranch.com
February 2013
Shannon Register
Register Real Estate Advisors was a finalist for
the Lone Star College System's 26th
Annual Small Business of the Year award,
honorees were selected by the Lone Star's Small
Business Development Center Advisory Council.
Every year the council recognizes small businesses that have impacted the local community
and economy. Nominees were gathered from the
community on the basis of leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, business growth and contribution
to the economy. Congratulations RREA!
27
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Homeowners Protect Investments with Smart Upgrades
The scoop on the latest trends from Greater Houston Builders Association’s
Remodelors™ Council members
Homeowners are savvier than ever about the investments in
their homes. When the time comes to upgrade, they are focused
on increasing value and making spaces more livable. Members
of the Greater Houston Builders Association’s Remodelors™
Council agree that their clients are making smart decisions
when redesigning their dream homes.
Interior designer Lynne T. Jones, ASID/RID joined the
council four years ago and has worked as a designer in Houston
for 32 years. “I’ve seen styles come and go and come back
around again,” she said.
Jones, along with council member and interior designer
Peggy Fuller, ASID/RID and former council president Rob
Hellyer, CGR, GMB, CAPS, have the inside scoop on all the latest remodeling trends.
Small Projects
Hellyer, owner of Premier Remodeling and Construction,
said homeowners are focusing on smaller projects.
“We have an extraordinarily high number of calls coming in
for bathroom remodels,” he said. “It’s been a full spectrum of
projects—from a simple update to building a new mega-shower.”
In bathrooms, Jones said several of her clients have asked
for expanded walk-in showers. She said many of her bathroom
remodels make the most of the current layout.
“I’m not seeing people knocking down walls,” she said. “They
are utilizing existing footprints and creating more efficient
spaces. People are trying to be practical.”
Better Kitchens
Another popular remodeling project is the kitchen. A welldesigned kitchen can mean less time working on dinner. With
updated appliances, the cooking process becomes easier – and
more energy efficient.
Jones said style is also important for most homeowners.
“People are getting rid of their old laminate. Granite is still really popular and so is marble.”
Jones’ clients are also trying slate and soapstone countertops, with travertine backsplashes. She said several homeowners
have been looking for more eclectic styles.
“People want unusual features that set their home apart,”
she said. “They are asking for things that are not quite as common – like bamboo and recycled glass.”
Jones said remodeling master bathrooms and kitchens can
be worth the effort. “Updating those two rooms adds the most
value to the home,” she explained.
Staying Home
With the uncertainty of the housing market, many homeowners are deciding to stay where they are and remodel instead
of selling their homes at a lower price.
“Our larger projects are usually to accommodate a growing
family,” Hellyer said. “Some are adding one extra bedroom and
others are adding 1,500 sq. ft. to the house.”
Fuller, who owns By Design Interiors, said that rising costs
of assisted living centers are encouraging many families to welcome senior relatives into their homes. “More of my clients are
adding a room to prepare for their parents to live with them,”
Fuller said. “They are also making sure those spaces are ADA
compliant.”
Jones explained that AARP has collaborated with builders
to create a Certified Aging in Place Specialist program that
trains remodelers in designing and modifying buildings for the
elderly.
“A good idea is to start with wider door openings, walk-in
showers and adding grab bars,” she said. “It doesn’t have to look
like a hospital. There are some great-looking products out there.”
An Eye for Design
Fuller said a fresh coat of paint can go a long way when it
comes to an update. She recommends consulting with an interior
designer before making a palette change – to make sure the new
color will work with existing furniture and home accessories.
28 To advertise call 281-372-6865
★
“If you spend a
little extra money
investing in a professional opinion, you
can create a more
cohesive space,” she
said.
A good place to
get started with a
professional consultation is the
Remodelors Council of
the Greater Houston
Builders Association.
Contact them at 281970-8970 or visit
www.ghba.org/consumers.
Premier Remodeling & Construction master bath makeover is accomplished with
attention to details by Lynne T. Jones
Interior Design. Photo credit: Michael Hart
Brighton Homes Opens Eagle
Springs from the $160s
Realtors throughout Houston came to Humble to visit
Brighton Homes’ newest luxury townhome community in
Eagle Springs. The Catering Company provided a delicious
lunch in the wonderfully decorated model townhome.
Realtors toured the model and raved about the “open concept” and how it felt more like a single-family home, than
a townhome.
Priced from the $160’s, Eagle Springs showcases five
unique floor plans that range from 1574 to 2343 square
feet with two-car garages, luxurious master suites with
large walk-in closets, a gameroom, and a study. Each plan
offers a very open layout while still giving the conveniences of a townhome.
Eagle Springs is a 1,360-acre master planned
community located at Will Clayton Parkway and
Timber Forest Drive. These townhomes are a little off
Some of the many Realtors enjoying lunch during the opening of Brighton Homes’ new model in Eagle Springs.
the beaten path in an award-winning community thoughtfully tucked away within the trees, creating a peaceful
place to call home.
To learn more about these Brighton homes, or to take
advantage of special Grand Opening pricing that is being
offered for a limited time, please visit the Brighton Homes’
Sale Office at Eagle Springs, which is open daily until
6pm, located at 17902 Arapaho Hill Lane in Humble.
Realtors can also call the sales office to speak with Cliann
Herring at 832-644-9846 or visit the community online at
www.brightonhomes.com for more information.
February 2013
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Big changes for The Houston 1960 Chapter of The Women’s Council of Realtors
This fine Chapter has had a name
change... they are now know as The
GREAT Northwest Chapter.
This year’s first Business Resource
Meeting also had a change of venue and
the Chapter is now having their meetings at the always beautiful Champions
Country Club in NW Houston
The GREAT Northwest Chapter
meets every third Thursday. For
information on membership go to our
website at www.WCRHouston1960.org
Martha Schauer/Champions School of Real Estate,
President Michelle and this month’s speaker Kelea
Piper, Central Texas Marketing Director for
Champions School of Real Estate spoke on Will
Power Strategies for 2013, goal Setting.
Carla Ginn/Old Republic
Title
was the lucky winner of a
Visa
Gift Card
Thelma Marsh/Alamo Title and
Esther Cordova with RE/MAX Integity.
John Daugherty, Realtors is
pleased to announce that Dan
Flournoy has assumed the position of Director of John
Daugherty Ranch & Land.
Since 1995, Dan has been
involved in the management of a large
ranch in Central
West Texas, dealing
with all aspects of
oil and gas transactions, transmission
lines, wind turbines,
government programs, water
rights, hunting,
livestock and all other
ranch-specific issues. His exceptional
management skills enabled this
Central West Texas ranch to receive
the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Lone
Star Steward Award for the Edwards
Plateau region in 2010. In 2005, Dan
and a partner started Sierra Farm
Ranch Services to advise ranch owners how to more effectively and economically manage their properties.
Dan, who is also versed in the
financial services industry, served as
Senior Vice President of Bowne of
Houston, where he managed relationships with large private and public
companies to help them access both
domestic (Continued on page 30.)
Free Publicity!
Send photos for new agents,
events to Jennifer [email protected]
We’ll review and try to use.
February 2013
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MHI is Nation’s Only Home Builder to Win LEED Award
Dan Flournoy continued...
McGuyer Homebuilders, Inc. (MHI),
which builds under the brands
Plantation Homes, Coventry Homes,
Carmel Builders and Wilshire Homes, is
the only large scale volume homebuilder to
receive the highly coveted Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
award. An internationally recognized mark
of excellence, LEED represents a group of
rating systems designed to provide a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design,
construction, operations and maintenance
solutions.
The U.S. Green Building Council which
developed LEED, presented MHI with the
award and recognized the company’s
achievements at a recent ceremony in San
Francisco, California. Each year the council
distinguishes builders, developers and projects that have demonstrated leadership in
the residential green building market place.
Texas-based MHI is the only large
volume homebuilder that has successfully implemented LEED for homes
across multiple communities and multiple project offerings.
“We are excited to accept this award on
behalf of our clients,” said Rudy Pospisil,
Division President for MHI, Dallas-Fort
Worth. “We believe they appreciate knowing their home has been placed in our environment in a thoughtful way, delivering to
them a home that is cleaner, healthier and
and international financial markets.
“We have many clients who are
happy with their residential buying
experience that also want help navigating a ranch purchase,” says John A.
Daugherty, Jr. “Selecting the right
ranch requires extensive knowledge of
land-specific issues. John Daugherty
Ranch & Land helps clients understand
these issues, provides services to negotiate on their behalf, and helps them navigate all aspects of the purchasing
process.”
“Dan is the best person in the
industry to serve as the most knowledgeable Buyer’s Representative and help
them negotiate and conduct due diligence on a ranch property through closing.”
For more information on John
Daugherty Ranch & Land, please visit
www.johndaugherty.com.
the most cost efficient in the marketplace.”
The LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a
building, home or community was designed
and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human
and environmental health; sustainable site
development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
What LEED means to homeowners is a
more energy efficient, cost efficient and
overall healthier home. LEED homes will
save homeowners money on water and energy bills, have an enhanced indoor air quality
and can even provide great benefits to those
with allergy and other health-related issues.
Additionally, LEED can also contribute to a
home’s resale value.
In addition to LEED, MHI achieves
Energy Star for New Homes using v3 criteria. This combined with smart product
selection and quality building processes will
result in the company achieving more than
500 LEED and Energy Star certifications by
year-end since adopting LEED for homes in
early 2011. The company’s Home Energy
Rating System (HERS) indices range from
72 to 57. HERS ranks a number of energy
features in new homes from windows and
insulation to heating and cooling systems on
an index of 100, which indicates its maximum energy use. Therefore, the lower the
February 23 The Heritage
at Towne Lake will host its
Fourth Annual Car Show on
Saturday - from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Registration is now open for owners interested in entering their
cars, trucks and motorcycles into
the show. Contact Amber Miller at
281-373-0970 or [email protected].
(Continues on page 34.)
The Montgomery County Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors
The Montgomery County Chapter of the
Women’s Council of Realtors is a very active one in
the State. The membership keeps growing with
each coming year.
Meetings are held the second Wednesday of
each month at the River Plantation Country
Club. Come join this group for lunch, fun, networking and see what WCR is all about. Visit the
WCR web site at
www.WCRMontgomeryCounty.com
Jessica Hecht/Guild
Mortgage is our winner of the IPad 3
drawing. Hope you
enjoy your prize.
Luis Escobar/Preferred Home Lending is last quarter
winner for having given the most referrals to
Chapter members. Patti St Louis presented him with a
check for his winnings.
30 To advertise call 281-372-6865
This month’s speaker was Ron
Wilsher speaking on “Branding For
Humans”. He is here with Sally
Redmond/Academy Mortgage in the
Woodlands Programs Chair.
Judy McEvoy with
RE/MAX The
Woodlands and
Spring and Cathy
Lakey/Coldwell
Banker United.
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TOLL BROTHERS NAMED 2012 BUILDER OF THE
YEAR BY PROFESSIONAL BUILDER MAGAZINE
Aliana to Host New Model Realtor
Event this Spring on March 28
Toll Becomes Only Builder To Earn This Honor Twice
On March 28,
Aliana will welcome
spring in a big way
with an entertaining Realtor event to
be held in Aliana’s
Model Home
Village. The event,
“Luck of the
Ladybug,” will
provide Realtors
with an opportunity
to visit new model
homes by Village Builders and Trendmaker Homes, two of
the newest builders in the fast-growing master-planned community located in Fort Bend County.
A premier Houston homebuilder, Trendmaker Homes is
now offering its popular patio home floor plans in Aliana,
which feature many of the same amenities offered in their other
products. Offering a distinctive design to homebuyers, Village
Builders’ New Haven model home floor plan, which is now
available to homebuyers in Aliana, showcases a spacious and
open two-story home with four bedrooms.
“We are thrilled to welcome Trendmaker Homes and Village
Builders to our growing roster of builders in Aliana,” said Linda
Kilgore, Director of Marketing for Aliana Development
Company. “In addition to the two amazing new model homes,
Realtors will have a chance to view wonderful floor plans by
other builders in Aliana, as well as enhancements we have made
to the community since the grand opening of our model home village last year.”
In order to provide Realtors with an intimate view of the
new model homes, a delicious “Ladybug” box luncheon, catered by
Mélange, will be served in the Village Builders model and, afterwards, tasty dessert items will be served in Trendmaker’s model
home located in the Patio Home Reserve. As part of the “Luck of the
Ladybug” theme, attendees to the event will have an opportunity to
register for amazing door prizes, including iPads® and iPad
minis®, and each model home will have a drawing for $100.
During the event, Aliana Development Company will recognize Top Producers for 2012. There will be live music and a
champagne toast to a successful 2013.
The Realtor event will take place on Thursday, March 28
from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Aliana is located at the Grand Parkway at West Airport Blvd. For
more information on the event, as well as rules on registering for door
prizes, visit www.alianahouston.com.
Toll Brothers is proud to announce that it has been named 2012
Builder of the Year by Professional Builder magazine (www.housingzone.com). Having been named Builder of the Year in 1988,
Toll Brothers becomes the first builder to win this coveted
honor twice.
Douglas C. Yearley, chief executive officer, stated: “We are
thrilled and honored to win this prestigious award. Since our founding
in 1967, Toll Brothers has balanced prudent financial management
with opportunistic growth, which has allowed us to successfully survive and flourish through five recessions. This strategy has positioned
us to take advantage of current land and other growth opportunities.
Compelling demographics in the upscale market coupled with pent-up
demand and limited competition in our luxury niche give us a major
advantage as the market recovers.
“Toll Brothers places the greatest importance on providing our
buyers with exceptional customer service, quality and value and to
offer them the most attractive communities in which to live: 95% of
Toll Brothers customers would recommend our company to a friend.
This speaks to the incredible diligence and commitment to excellence
that the Toll Brothers team brings to our work each and every day.”
Robert I. Toll, executive chairman, stated: “When we first
won this award in 1988, we were a small, regional home builder
focused almost entirely on providing homes for growing families in
five Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States. Now, 24 years later, we are
a national builder with a brand that reaches across 20 states
and 50 U.S. markets. We have diversified our product lines to
include single-family and attached move-up, empty-nester and activeadult homes, resort-style communities, high-density suburban communities and, through our City Living brand, mid- and high-rise towers
in the metro New York City urban market and Philadelphia.”
“Toll Brothers represents
(Continues below right corner.)
TOLL BROTHERS continues...
what is best about home building. They deliver quality homes and
great overall value.” notes Patrick O’Toole, Editorial Director
and Publisher of Professional Builder magazine. “Throughout the
company’s more than 45 years in business — particularly during
the recent period of tumult for housing — Toll Brothers has been
extremely foresighted in its business planning, its marketing, and
its strong commitment to its home buyers.”
“We are so honored to be recognized for this very prestigious
award,” said Kira Sterling, chief marketing officer. “It is a
tribute to the tremendous hard work, dedication and integrity of
our colleagues and associates at Toll Brothers.”
Toll Brothers is honored to have won the three most coveted awards in the home building industry: America’s Best
Builder, the National Housing Quality Award, and Builder
of the Year for the second time. Toll Brothers proudly supports
the communities in which it builds; among other philanthropic
pursuits, the Company sponsors the Toll Brothers - Metropolitan
Opera International Radio Network, bringing the Met opera to
neighborhoods throughout the world. For more information, visit
TollBrothers.com.
February 2013
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Cross Creek Ranch announces new builders in gated, custom home neighborhood
Cross Creek Ranch, one of the top-selling master-planned
communities in the United States, has announced four new
builders in its gated, custom-home neighborhood, The
Lakes at Cross Creek Ranch.
Priced from the $650’s to $1 million, The Lakes at Cross
Creek Ranch is limited to 36 home sites, each with impressive lake views, from custom homebuilders Avanti Custom
Homes, Huntington Homes, Partners in Building and
Taylor Morrison Homes.
The luxury, gated neighborhood borders the community’s
signature lake tucked away on a cul-de-sac near the entrance to
Cross Creek Ranch. It also is a short walk from the community’s aquatics complex and recreation center.
“It’s by far one of the most convenient neighborhoods you’ll
find in the community,” says Cross Creek General Manager
Rob Bamford. “We’re receiving inquiries about it every day.”
Bamford predicts the exclusive home sites will sell quickly,
given there are few, new custom homes on the market in the
Katy area, particularly from a collection of builders of the caliber assembled for The Lakes of Cross Creek Ranch.
Avanti Custom Homes by Trendmaker brings a 40-year
legacy as a premium home builder with a full-service, Designand-Build approach. Huntington Homes was founded in 1991
by a brother-and-sister home building team who epitomize the
finest in craftsmanship and personal service. Partners in
Building, one of the largest custom homebuilders in the region,
is the recipient of a number of awards from the Texas
Association of Builders and the Greater Houston Builders
Association. Taylor Morrison’s long history of homebuilding
success and customer satisfaction has earned it spots in the
Builder Magazine Hall of Fame and the Best in American
Living Award Hall of Fame sponsored by the National
Association of Home Builders.
Cross Creek Ranch, a project of The Johnson Development
Corp., is located just south of the I-10 Energy Corridor and minutes from the Westpark Tollway. One of the nation’s top-selling
master-planned communities is home to 1,000 homeowners who
enjoy miles of hike-and-bike trails, a fitness center and sports
complex with tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball
court and playgrounds for all ages. Plus, several parks are
located within walking distance of every neighborhood in the
community, including Canine Commons, a fenced one-acre dog
park with areas designated for large and small breed dogs.
Recently, Cross Creek Ranch announced plans to open
a second pool Memorial Day weekend open to all residents with ample surrounding shade structures and lounge
seating to create an ideal family retreat. The new pool will join
the community’s signature Water Park at Adventure Island
where families enjoy a 200-foot water slide, Splash-n-Spray
Park, wading pool and tanning shelves with water jets to create
one of west Houston’s most complete water experiences.
Located at the crossroads of FM 359 and FM 1093,
Houston’s 2012 Master-Planned Community of the Year
also is home to the largest model home collection in the
Houston area with fully furnished residences from
32 To advertise call 281-372-6865
Highland Homes, Lennar Homes, Newmark Homes, Perry
Homes, Trendmaker Homes and Village Builders as well
as customer homebuilders Avanti Custom Homes,
Huntington Homes, Partners in Building and Taylor
Morrison Homes.
For more information, go to www.crosscreektexas.com or
call 281-344-9882. (See ad page 14.)
Champions School of Real Estate is off to a GREAT 2013!
Students get a head start on their 2013 Senior Real Estate
Designation with Sue Ikeler/Champions School of Real
Estate instructor for all Houston campus locations
Champions School of Real Estate Career Counselors,
Janie Ciancia and Elizabeth Hernandez, preview the new
2013 Champions course catalog.
February 2013
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Three Johnson Development Master-Planned Communities
Land Spots on List of Nation’s Top 20 Best Sellers
Three Houston-area communities by The Johnson Development
Corp. have earned a spot on the nation’s top 20-selling masterplanned communities for 2012 according to RCLCO, a major national real estate research firm.
Riverstone ranked seventh among the nation’s top-selling master-planned communities in 2012 with 605 home sales,
a 100-percent increase for the Fort Bend community compared to
its figures from 2011. Sienna Plantation, another Fort Bend community by Johnson Development, ranked 16th in the RCLCO survey with 387 home sales in 2012, a 46-percent increase from 2011.
Woodforest, Montgomery County’s newest master-planned community, finished 19th on the list of the nation’s top-selling masterplanned communities with 308 home sales in 2012, a 139-percent
increase from the previous year.
A fourth Johnson Development community, Cross Creek
Ranch in west Houston, was one of four master-planned communities in the nation to achieve over 300 home sales while finishing
just outside the list of the nation’s top 20-selling master-planned
communities.
Houston managed to land eight master-planned communities
on the list, more than any other market.
“Families are gravitating to our communities because of the
lifestyle we offer through an array of amenities for every age and
demographic,” notes Doug Goff, Chief Operating Officer of The
Johnson Development Corp. “We strive to create special places
where our residents can live, work, shop, worship, educate and
recreate. They see Johnson Development communities as a great
place for family units of every type to call ‘home.’ Plus, they are getting good value for their dollar. And ultimately, that’s what is driving our success.”
“While Metrostudy reported home sales in Houston area master-planned communities up 27 percent this past year, sales in
Johnson’s active master-planned communities increased 64%,
February 2013
reaching over 2,000 homes for the first time. And with more quality builders and many new types of housing being introduced in
2013, we expect it to be another banner year for all of our communities,” he adds.
According to the RCLCO study, home sales at the nation’s top
master-planned communities were their strongest since 2007.
Sales in the top 20 communities were up 37 percent when compared to their 2011 levels. Sales in the RCLCO top 20-selling master-planned communities were close to 14,300 for the year.
“Residents of Johnson communities enjoy a unique lifestyle
afforded by resort-style pools, major fitness centers, parks,
greenbelts, preserved open space and hike-and-bike trails.
Plus, every Johnson community has a Director of Recreation & Fun
whose sole responsibility is to organize an array of events and
activities for everyone in the community, a big plus for today’s
active families,” Goff explains.
For more information on Johnson Development, visit
www.johnsondevelopment.com. (See ad page 35.)
Champions
Appraisal classes
get underway with
Champions
School of Real
Estate Appraisal
instructor, Will
Harris
www.reandy.com 33
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Brighton Homes Introduces the New Community at
Lakes of Jersey Village
Brighton Homes is excited to announce the opening of one of our
newest communities, Lakes of Jersey Village. The Lakes of Jersey Village
community is conveniently located off Jones Road; less than a mile from
US-290 in Houston. This community has easy access to nearby highways, restaurants, entertainment and shopping. It is also located across
the street from Jersey Village Golf Course. The Galleria area and
Downtown Houston are just some of the exciting attractions nearby.
Lakes of Jersey Village is located in the Cypress Fairbanks
Independent School District.
Brighton Homes offers fabulous, updated designs in Lakes of Jersey
Village. These three, four, and five bedroom energy efficient homes are
priced from the $260’s and range in size from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet.
These homes include features such as granite countertops, security systems, and sprinkler systems. Many designs offer gamerooms – perfect for
entertaining! The community is in a prime location with a grocery store
and other commercial properties within minutes. Lakes of Jersey Village
is nestled in an exclusive area with limited builder programs. This could
be your last chance to own a new home in this perfect location!
The model is located at 118 Water Cress Circle in Houston.
Brighton has several inventory homes in various stages of construction in Lakes of Jersey Village. For more information on the
community and homes offered, please call Ray Barton at (832) 6678681, or visit the website at www.BrightonHomes.com.
MHI continues...
HERS rating, the more energy efficient the home.
MHI’s various building brands are available in 211 locations across Texas in markets that include Dallas-Fort Worth,
Houston, Austin and San Antonio, with prices ranging from
the $110’s to the $900’s. MHI also has a Build On Your Lot
division that serves all of its Texas markets. For more information, visit: • www.McGuyerHomebuilders.com
• www.plantation homes.com • www.coventryhomes.com
Jeanne Gregory, a Realtor who works in the RE/MAX
Southwest office in Sugar Land, has always
had an appreciation for bright red race cars. She
even met her husband when he was driving a
bright red, super-modified racer in southern
Oklahoma. Her website, jeannegregory.com,
shows her leaning, arms crossed on the high fins
of a bright red ’57 Chevy with the slogan
“Classic services. Constant communication.
High accessibility.”
“That idea came from a friend, Joy Jones,
who was one of the first female Farmer’s
Insurance agents in Texas,” Gregory said. “She had an
old Cadillac in her one of her ads and she told me the response had been
overwhelming. My favorite color is red and that ‘57 Chevy spoke to me! I’ve
had to explain several times that it isn’t my car, but I sure wish it was.”
Gregory has been selling residential real estate since the late
1980s, and she’s witnessed how the market and the industry have changed
over the years – and what has not changed.
Realtors shop
Cinco Market
Eneida Adrianza,
RE/MAX Grand,
went for electronics.
(Continued from
page 13.)
34 To advertise call 281-372-6865
Woodforest Fetes Top 2012 Realtors
Woodforest treated some of their
favorite Realtors to Kirby’s Steakhouse
in The Woodlands during the recent
“KEY to Our Success” appreciation
luncheon.
Invitations were sent to the more
than 170 Realtors who sold homes in
Woodforest last year, with the top-producing Realtors announced and given
cash prizes. Selling the most new
homes in Woodforest during 2012
was resident Jeff Morris of
RE/MAX Integrity who sold 11 homes
for a sales volume of nearly $3.5 million. Morris also was the development’s
top-selling Realtor in 2010.
Woodforest has named its top“The Woodforest landscape is
producing Realtors for 2012,
beautiful. There are deer and other
with Jeff Morris of RE/MAX
wildlife, and the golf course has the
best-looking greens in the area,” Morris Integrity selling the most
said. “Plus the community is in a grow- homes in the community
for a second year. RE/MAX
ing area, with proximity to shopping
The Woodlands and Spring
and entertainment.”
was the development’s top
Earning the No. 2 spot on
Woodforest’s list of top producers was realty office.
David Flory with RE/MAX Professional Group. Flory recorded
eight sales in the development during 2012, with a sales volume of
almost $2.2 million. RE/MAX The Woodlands and Spring won
notice as Woodforest’s top-selling realty office, with 19 sales
last year and a sales volume of approximately $6.5 million. In all,
Realtors participated in 79 percent of the community’s 308
new-home sales last year.
“Realtors have been strong supporters of Woodforest since its
inception and they were certainly key to the phenomenal success
the development enjoyed last year,” said Virgil Yoakum, general
manager of Woodforest. “Builders opened 10 model homes in
2012 and started construction on 299 homes. Sales increased 139
percent over the previous year, resulting in Woodforest’s being
ranked as one of the nation’s top-selling communities by RCLCO, a
national real estate research firm.”
Yoakum said he expects 2013 to be equally impressive.
“Construction has started on a new Conroe ISD elementary school in Woodforest and the Forest Island swimming
complex opens this summer,” he said. “We’ll be introducing new
neighborhoods, new builders and additional home styles this year.
There will be a lot to offer.”
For more information, visit www.woodforesttx.com.
Liniger Named Most Influential continued...
was named one of the “Top 50 Franchises for Minorities” by the
National Minority Franchising Initiative through the World
Franchising Network.
Due to an innovative “maximum commission” concept, RE/MAX
attracts top-performing real estate agents, and as a result, RE/MAX
has held No. 1 market share every year since 1997. RE/MAX
agents are also the most productive among those affiliated with
national real estate franchise brands. For more information about
RE/MAX, please visit www.remax.com or www.joinremax.com.
Meritage
Homes,
Dylan Model
in
Fall Creek.
(See page 18.)
February 2013
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Liniger Named Most Influential Real Estate Leader
RE/MAX Co-Founder and Chairman Dave
Liniger is one of the “100 Most Influential
Real Estate Leaders” for 2012 according to
Inman News. Last year, Liniger also received
the “People’s Choice Most Influential Real
Estate Leader” award, garnering the largest
vote total in the history of the online survey.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by your peers in
an industry that has seen so many changes and
challenges over the past few years,” Liniger said.
“As real estate professionals, we’ve proven we’re up to
those challenges, and ready to take advantage of the strong rebound in
the market that started last year.”
The Inman News “100 Most Influential Leader” list is the result of
a popular vote in a December online survey and honors real estate leaders who have made the most significant contributions over the year.
Those chosen embody leadership, ingenuity, strength and conviction, and
are change agents for the industry. Liniger has lobbied for and supported real estate legislation and policy reforms intended to assist consumers and move the housing market further down the road to a sustainable recovery.
“We’re celebrating our 40th anniversary this month, and what’s
changed for RE/MAX and the rest of the industry in those decades is
technology and the role it plays in every real estate transaction,” Liniger
said. “But what hasn’t changed is the personal connection that we have
with our buyers and sellers. That’s still central to every relationship.”
Liniger, together with his wife, Gail, co-founded RE/MAX in
1973. From a single office in Denver, they built a global real estate franchise that now has nearly 90,000 agents in more than 85 countries, an
international presence greater than any of its competitors.
Earlier this year, for the 10th time in 14 years, RE/MAX was recognized as the highest ranking real estate company in Entrepreneur magazine’s 34th annual “Franchise 500.” The company also earned the No.1
real estate ranking in the Top 200 survey, published in the October 2012
edition of Franchise Times magazine, and (Continued on page 34.)
March 2013
6 MC/HAR, 9:30 am, River Plantation Club
6 WCR Greater West Houston, 11:30 am, Pine Forest Country Club
7 Har Katy Area, 11:30 am, Cinco Ranch Country Club
7 WCR Ft. Bend, 11:30 am, Sweetwater Country Club
[email protected]
13 HAR NW Breakfast, 8 am, Raveneaux Country Club
13 WCR Montgomery County, 11:00 am, River Plantation Country Club
13 HAR/290 Area, 11:30 am, Sterling Country Club at Houston National
14 HAR/WCR Bay Area, 11:30 am, S. Shore Harbour Country Club
20 WRC Lake Houston, www.wcrlakehouston.org
March 28, Aliana will welcome spring in a big way with an entertaining Realtor event to be held in Aliana’s Model Home Village. The event, “Luck
of the Ladybug,” will provide Realtors with an opportunity to visit new
model homes by Village Builders and Trendmaker Homes (See page 31.)
February 23
The Heritage at Towne Lake will host its Fourth
Annual Car Show on Saturday - from noon to 4:30 p.m. Registration is
now open for owners interested in entering their cars, trucks and motorcycles into the show. Contact Amber Miller at 281-373-0970 or [email protected].
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U.S. Postage
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HOUSTON, TEXAS
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36
February 2013