Buying a newly built home is an awesome experience.  You can pick out colors, fixtures, finishes, floorings and the list goes on.  But there is one major thing you must be pay attention to and that is the real estate taxes of the home.  Here are a couple things you MUST know about the taxes for your new home:   1.      What are the current taxes?- Many times when a home is newly built the taxes are only based on the land.  This amount is much less than what your taxes will be once the home is appraised by the county.  2.      What will your taxes eventually be?-  You also must know what the taxes will be once the county appraises the home.  This can usually be estimated by the sales price times the tax rate.  This will not give you exact amount, but will give you a pretty good idea.  3.... 04/16/2013

Cross Creek Ranch Fulshear Texas holds Fest of Tails   Cross Creek Ranch in Fulshear Texas is hosting its first time event titled “Fest of Tails” on Saturday April 6 and on Sunday April 7, 2013. The Fest will be centered on Kites and Pets which I believe already makes this event very unique. The concept is to celebrate the beginning of spring. The Saturday events will run from 11 AM until 4 PM and Sunday will start at noon and last until 4 PM. Organizers tell everyone to bring the family, a blanket and the their dog. All dogs have to be on a leash.     Professional Kite fliers from Kites Unlimited will launch giant sized kites in several different shapes such as frogs, lobsters, stingrays and other animals all having very long tails. Children attending are all encouraged to fly free kit... 04/03/2013

Blessington Farms Pick your own Strawberries Valentine's Katy TexasBlessington Farms is open for berry picking and should be open on Thursday February 14, 2013 or Valentine’s day. A unique gift idea for your spouse or significant other is to head out to Blessington Farms on Thursday and pick your own strawberries. If you want to go all out you can melt chocolate and dip your berries creating chocolate covered strawberries  as your present. Personally I think this would be a winner idea. Blessington Farms is located about 20 minutes west of Katy Texas with its address being 510 Chisolm Road Simonton, Texas 77476. Their phone number 832-444-8717. If you are coming from Katy take Highway 99 south to FM 1093 and turn right and head west. Go approximately 15 miles and turn right at Chisolm ... 02/13/2013

Photographs from Scarecrow Festival in Cross Creek RanchI usually do not have enough time to attend most if not all these local events I that I cover with my blogs. Today I made up my mind to go to Cross Creek Ranch in Fulshear Texas to see some of the Third Annual Scarecrow Festival. My orginal blog about this festival can be found here. I  was very surprised with the number of scarecrows which entered the competition and I have to admit the quality of the work for the most part was exceptionally good. I took several shots of the scarecrows. A fairly large crowd attended the event and based on that fact alone I would label this festival a success. There were kids running all over the place having a great time , food was being served, grape stomping took place, one group was serving win... 10/20/2012

Fall Scarecrow Festival being held in Cross Creek Ranch Fulshear TexasCross Creek Ranch in Fulshear Texas is hosting a Scarecrow Festival on Saturday October 20, 2012 starting at 11 AM and lasting till 5 PM. The festival is being held at the hill in Cross Creek Ranch which is located behind the recreational facility in the front of the subdivision. Cross Creek Ranch is physically located off of FM 1093 just west of FM 1463 in Fulshear which is right next door to Katy Texas. All attendees will get to vote for the BEST or your favorite scarecrow and the winner will receive a prize of $1,000, $500 and $250. Activities will be going on through the entire day and include:  - Scarecrow Voting-Grape stomping-Pumpkin decorating-Face Painting-Live Music by local students-All kinds of food to pur... 10/16/2012

  Holiday Chocolate available in Cross Creek Ranch Fulshear Texas I think this might be rushing the whole scene just a little but eleven brand new model homes in Cross Creek Ranch Fulshear Texas is hosting a holiday chocolate fantasy tour. A new model home park is open and the entry is off Fry Road and FM 1463.  The event will run every weekend starting on October 6-7, 2012, Oct 13-14 and running through October 20-21. The event will take place from 11 AM until 4 PM each day.   All attendees will have the opportunity to watch chef demonstrations and sample the goodies. The recipes for all the chocolate delights will be available to visitors.   Builders in the model home park include Highland Homes, Ashton Woods, Newmark Homes, Perry Homes, Plantation Homes and Village Builders. Lennar w... 09/30/2012

  Closing of a New Home on July 18, 2012 in Cross Creek Ranch Fulshear TX       I am very happy to report today that clients of mine had their closing of a new home on July 18, 2012 in Cross Creek Ranch Fulshear TX. They are wonderful folks who relocated to the Katy TX area from out of state. She works for a major energy company which transferred them to the Houston area and he is recently retired. They bought a beautiful one story home which is approximately 3,000 sq. ft. from Perry Homes. Fulshear TX where Cross Creek is physically located is right next door to the Katy TX mailing address area but in a different MLS area.   These folks could have used their relocation firm but found me on their own using web searches and the relocation company was not involved. They were a real pleasu... 07/18/2012

  Cross Creek Ranch in Fulshear TX focus neighborhood   Cross Creek Ranch in Fulshear TX focus neighborhood is located in far west and slightly west of Katy TX and Cinco Ranch. Cross Creek is a Master Planned Community being developed by Johnson Development Corporation and which has been placing families in major developments for over 30 years. The development encompasses over 3,200 acres and is locaterd in Fort Bend county. This is my third blog of my series of neighborhoods in the Katy and surrounding areas.   Builders in Cross Creek include Ashton Woods, Kickerillo, Newmark, Perry, Plantation, Trendmaker and Village builders.  There are several new homes available for sale at given point in time. If you want more information about new homes available in cross creek contact me. Cross ... 06/25/2012

  Cork and Culinary Fair in Fulshear Texas   Fulshear is only a few miles away from Katy Texas and the movement of folks coming to this area these days is west heading towards or arriving in the Fulshear and the surrounding areas. Land to build new homes zoned to Katy ISD south of Interstate I-10 is running out. That is a basic fact. If you or family wants to buy a new home in South Katy that is zoned to Katy ISD you need to stop procrastinating and take action. No I am not saying this just to get someone to buy a home. I am just warning you of the eventual outcome if you continue to sit on the sidelines.   The second annual Fulbrook Wine and Culinary Fair will be held on Saturday April 14, 2012 with the fair being held from Noon until 6:00 P.M. and a gourmet dinner at 6:30 P.M. The din... 03/03/2012

  New Home Development to Begin in Fulshear near Katy Texas Beazer Homes has teamed up with Taylor Morrison homes to develop and build homes in Fulshear Texas. The neighborhood is named Churchill Farms and will consist of approximately 570 homes when completed. Each of the two partners is taking a 50% share of development and home lots costs. The neighborhood is being built on 209 acres and is located on Highway 1463 south interstate I-10. The Western boundary of Cinco Ranch is nearby and you can already see that the site is being prepared for home building. The plans are for homes to be priced in the $180,000 to $400,000 range. The neighborhood will have a community center, pool, two acre park that includes a dog park and a playground. It is expected the first closing will be during Se... 11/26/2011

  Holiday Expo Promotes Women Owned Business in Fulshear Texas Saturday November 12, 2011 Cross Creek Ranch in Fulshear Texas which is close by to Katy Texas will hold the second annual Mommy Swagger Holiday Expo. The event will be held in the multipurpose room in Cross Creek Ranch or 6450 Cross Creek Bend Lane, Fulshear, Texas. And run from 10:00 A.M. till 5:00 P.M. The Mommy Swagger main purpose is to promote women owned local business who makes unique hand crafted items. Most of these businesses are small and need a venue such as the Expo so they can properly market their products but incur fairly low costs. The 2011 Expo will have at least 25 different vendors marketing their crafts which range from clothing to home décor. One of the booths will be providing complimentary gift wrapp... 11/11/2011

  Almost Speechless Monday September 12, 2011 in Cross Creek Ranch Fulshear Texas near Katy     Cross Creek Ranch is a Master Planned Community developed by Trendmaker that is located off of FM 1093 approximately 7 miles west of the Grand Parkway or 99. This neighborhood has a majority of the zoned to attend Katy ISD schools. I believe it is one of the more beautiful areas in west section of Houston and Fulshear is right next to where the Katy Texas mailing address ends. Cross Creek has numerous amenities and excellent homes.   If you or family would like to view homes in Cross Creek Ranch or anywhere else in Fulshear or Katy contact me and I will gladly take you on a tour of the whole area. I hope you enjoyed the pictures above of Cross Creek Ranch but the subdivision is even better in... 09/12/2011

Here is your weekly interest rate update: Conventional 30 year Mortgage: 4.75% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR: 5.25% FHA 30 year:4.375% Credit Score:640 LTV:96.5% loan amount:$200k APR:5.25% Conventional 15 year:3.875% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR:4.45%   Call me today if you are thinking of refinancing or buying a home, for the best mortgage rate possible.  12/22/2010

Cross Creek Ranch TX Information Cross Creek Ranch homes are located West of Houston and South of Katy, off Farm to Market road 1093.  Cross Creek Ranch real estate features some of the finest premier homebuilders including David Weekly, Kickerillo, Perry, and Village Builders.  Cross Creek Ranch Real Estate Insight Cross Creek Ranch is an innovative community with over 3,200 acres of lakes, parks and hiking and biking trails.  Cross Creek Ranch real estate offers its residents world-class amenities including a resort-style swimming pool, wading pool and splash pad known as Lakeside Water Park.  The Commons at Cross Creek Ranch is a community gathering space with a 70- foot observation tower allowing the viewer a site unlike any other.  Cross Creek Ranch homes offer its residents a full... 11/28/2010

Getting a mortgage to buy your dream home or refinance that home is a major financial decision. When making this decision, you do not want to just go with a company on the Internet that advertises a lower rate. There is more to expect from a lender, then just an advertised rate. Here is just some of the things that separates me from my competition:  I am available 7 days a week, not just 9-5 (bank hours)  I have my own FHA and Conventional underwriter, allowing me to get answers quicker. And close your loans quicker  I am local, not a long distance lender. I am right here to help you.  Approved to do the MCC tax Credit. Ask me about this great tax credit.  Approved to do FHA,VA, USDA and conventional mortgages.  Underwriting and closing are just some of the aspects of the mortgage proce... 08/31/2010

Katy Real Estate News -Cross Creek Ranch a community with a true vision 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 Cross Creek Ranch 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) As a realtor who has sold hundreds of homes and has driven through hundreds of communities I can tell you a little secret.  Most communities lack vision.  Cross Creek Ranch is a community that truly embraces a vision for what the community will be upon its completion.  Cross Creek Ranch's interaction with the surrounding nature, the selection of top end builders to complete the community, and a truly superior layout will make th... 02/18/2010

Have you ever wondered about all the lingo that is associated with Green Homes and Energy Efficiency? Well, let me clear up a few things and give you a reference as to what different things mean. ACH- Air Changes per Hour- This is part of the Energy Star & Diamond Level testing to determine how much air leaks through the walls and ceilings (Hint: A lower number, the more efficient) AFUE- Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. A furnace's heating efficiency. Measures the heat delivered vs. the fuel used. Measures in percentages. The higher number is better. ASHRAE-American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. This is the primary organization used in the United States for the design standards in our HVAC systems. ENERGY STAR-A joint program of the U.S. Environmen... 10/16/2009

Katy Real Estate News -Recent Sales in Cross Creek Ranch 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 Cross Creek Ranch 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) Homes in Cross Creek Ranch continue to sell briskly.  In the least three months 21 homes have sold.  Home have sold in an average of only 142 days.  A majority of homes have sold for between $250,000 and $600,000.  The average price per square foot is $100 but has ranged from the $80's to the $120's. For more information about Katy Texas, Cross Creek Ranch or the beautiful homes within the confines contact Katy realtor Tim Sojka at 713-822-215... 10/05/2009

Fulshear Property Value Update - Summer 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 Fulshear 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) In the retail business, Christmas is not only a special time of year because of Christ's birth.  Christmas is also the most profitable time of year.  In real estate, summertime is our Christmas.  More realtors make a majority of our money over the summer.  So I always find it valuable to review summertime sales by neighborhood. Between June and August, 55 homes have closed.  The average home was only on the market for 114 days and sold for $369,000 or about $103 p... 09/01/2009

Katy Real Estate News - Essence House Café Comes to Cross Creek Ranch 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 Cross Creek Ranch 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) Essence House Café, one of the most respected and best-reviewed restaurants in the Houston area has opened up a second location inside of the Visitors Center at Cross Creek Ranch. This is a real coupe for Cross Creek Ranch and for the owners of Essence House Café.  Cross Creek Ranch is one of the fasted growing Master Planned Communities in the area a real plus for Essence House Café.  Also, Essence House Café will add incredible ... 07/02/2009