Exemplary Elementary Schools in Katy, TX

Exemplary Elementary Schools in Katy, TX

Katy Independent School District is a flourishing suburban school district that stretches over 181 square miles in southeast Texas. Its eastern boundaries stretch to Houston’s energy corridor approximately, 16 miles west of downt​own Houston, and extend along Interstate 10 to a few miles west of the city of Katy.

In the 2013-14 school year, student enrollment has grown to more than 66,500 and served by 58 schools – including seven four-year high schools.  Given the highest possible rating by the Texas Education Agency, Katy ISD offers an outstanding instructional program with facilities, equipment and materials that are among the best in the state. Students in Katy ISD scored above the state average in every grade level of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test, and their SAT and ACT scores also remain above both the state and national averages.

 

Below you can see the ratings by education level for Katy versus Texas.

 

 

Katy ISD Staff Statistics

​Total Staff	8,522
​Teachers	4,340
​Professional support personnel	​724
​Administrators	​241
​Support staff	​2,664
​Teachers with advanced degrees	​24.60%
​Average years of teaching experience	​11.1
​Average experience in Katy ISD	​6.7
​Percentage of teachers with more than 10 years of experience	​44.70%
​Average 2013-14 teacher salary	​$52,881
​Average students per teacher	​15.6

 Katy ISD Student Profile

​Total Students (2013-14)	​57,213
White	​40.89%
​Hispanic	​34.22%
​​African-American	​​9.48%
​Asian/Pacific Islander	​​12.37%
​​Native American	​​0.41%
At-Risk	37.45%
​Low Income	28.96%
Limited English Proficient	14.15%
​in Special Education	​8.59%
​in Career Technology Education	18.13%
​in Bilingual/English as a Second Language	​14.15%
​in Gifted/Talented	​6.71%
​in Title I programs	19.52%

 

Below you can find the list of Exemplary Elementary Schools located in Katy

    

When determining where you want to plant your roots, and you have small children, focusing on good schools is usually a #1 priority. If you decide to establish your home in Katy, you can rest assured knowing that your children will be in good hands. Read the Katy ISD newsletter and find up to date on information about Katy ISD HERE.

Search for Homes for Sale around these exemplary elementary schools by clicking HERE.

If I can help you and guide you through the home buying process please contact me today @ 617-869-9015. I’m here to answer any and all questions you may have.

Feel Free to Text or E-mail me at Alyssa.Endres@ibuyrealty.com

 

Open Houses in Katy, Texas

Open Houses in Katy, Texas

As a buyer, one of the best way to get comfortable with the market is to attend Open Houses. Walking through homes that are new to the market will help you to decide what your needs/wants are in purchasing a new home, and also will help show you what you can afford based on your funds in the bank or your pre-approval letter from a mortgage lender.

Click the links below to find Open Houses in Katy scheduled from today, March 8 – April 7, 2014

** Make sure to verify Date & Times for Open Houses, as each home varies**

– Katy Open House Homes under $200,000

– Katy Open House Homes $200,000-$300,000

– Katy Open House Homes $300,000-$400,000

– Katy Open House Homes $400,000-$500,000

– Katy Open House Homes $500,000-$600,000

– Katy Open House Homes $600,000 and above

If you would like a buddy to attend an Open House in Katy with you, and if I am free, I would love to accompany you. If I can assist you in the purchase of your new home, contact me TODAY! I’d be happy to answer any and all questions and address any of your concerns.

I love Real Estate- it’s what I do!!

Search for Homes for Sale HERE

Alyssa Endres- REALTOR

617.869.9015 ( Text is OKAY)

Alyssa.endres@ibuyrealty.com

Business Growth in Katy, Texas.. What to expect

Katy Business is Growing!! What you can expect..

The City of Katy, located directly West of Houston, was formally incorporated in 1945. Katy has always been a traditional family style community; however, it also played a major role a rail hub, a rice farming and agricultural center, and one of the largest gas fields in this part of Texas. With a quick commute to Houston via I-10, many families chose to lay down their roots in the family friendly neighborhoods of Katy.

Today, driving around and through Katy, one can visually see the immense amount of ground-breaking and building occurring all around- Apartment buildings, new home subdivisions, office buildings, shopping centers, highways etc. This is a very exciting time for Katy! I’d like to take a few moments to introduce some of the new establishments coming our way.

*Housing*

1.) LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch- Houston-based development, construction and management firm, Fein, announced in February that it plans to build a 271-unit luxury apartment complex to open in the second half of 2015. The complex will include one to three bedroom apartments featuring 10-foot ceilings complete with stone countertops, stainless steel appliances, and full size washer and dryer. Also on site will be a fitness facility, library, resort-style pool and spa with poolside cabana’s and also lakeside views.

2.) Cane Island Community- Located between Hwy. 90 and Morton Road, Cane Island Community is a brand new 1,000 acre master-planned community that is slated to open April 2015. This upscale community will feature an anticipated 2,200 single family and custom homes ranging from the upper $200k to upper $800k. The community will be developed in stages, starting with an elaborate, one-mile entry area lined with thousands of trees where residents will drive under a “living wall,” a decorative arch covered in plants and flowers.

The Katy City Council aided the project with its Nov. 18 vote to amend the city’s ordinance outlining code requirements for Master Planned Community Districts and its creation of a new MUD within the city limits. The new ordinance allows greater latitude in lot sizes, street widths, design and layout. At the same time, tightens requirements for community features such as public parks.

     In conjunction with the Cane Island community, the city of Katy is overseeing the building of the Cane Island Parkway, which is under construction and expected to be complete by spring of 2015.

*Schools*

1.) Katy ISD is making preparations for the completion of two new elementary schools, expected to open in the fall of 2014 in Cross Creek Ranch and Pine Mill Ranch. The proposed recommendation was approved by the Katy ISD Board of Trustees on January 21.

The proposal will provide relief to the following elementaries.

•    Shafer

•    Wolman

•    WoodCreek

To accommodate future growth, the district has discussed the need to build two new elementary and junior high schools by August 2017, according to a presentation to the board during its January workstudy meeting

2.) Demand for Charter Schools increasing in Katy-

Charter schools are state-funded public schools that must meet state requirements but also have some flexibility in coursework, school hours and structure, and each has a specialty of study. There are five charter schools in Katy—Trinity Charter School, Calvin Nelms, Harmony Science Academy, Leadership Academy and Aristoi Classical Academy. In 1995, the Texas legislature approved funding for charter schools. Since then, hundreds have sprouted throughout the state, offering an alternative to traditional public schools. The schools are tuition-free, and enrollment is based on a lottery. As with traditional public schools, there are no special testing requirements to enroll. As with all public schools in Texas, students at charter schools must pass the STAAR test but they have flexibility on how they deliver it, he said. Schools can select their hours, and several offer tutoring or extra work for accelerated students on Saturdays. They also have more power over teacher contracts, with the ability to hire teachers on an at-will basis—which means the teacher has no contract and can be let go for poor performance.

“Charter schools give parents an opportunity for choice in education, a [tuition free] alternative to public education,” said Julie Norton, spokeswoman for Harmony Public Schools, which enroll 9,952 students in grades kindergarten through 12th in the Greater Houston area at their 14 schools. “A smaller school setting is very desirable for a lot of parents.”

*Business*

1.) Costco, the members-only warehouse store—on the southwest corner of the Grand Parkway and I-10—is the latest in a string of major commercial and industrial developments underway in the Katy area. Costco members pay between $55 and $110 annually, depending on the style of membership they want. Membership benefits include deep discounts on about 3,800–4,000 different items. The Katy area Costco also features a full gas station, hearing aid center, pharmacy, liquor store, tire sales, optical department and other amenities. The Katy area store will employ about 200 people, with about 170 of those employees hired locally.

2.) Geico- The insurance company plans to bring about 1,000 new jobs and $8.5 million in capital investment to the area over the next five years. Geico has leased Mason Creek Office Center I, at 21420 Merchants Way in Katy and expects to employ about 400 people by 2015 and add up to 600 more by 2018. The positions will include entry-level claims representatives, degreed candidates for liability claims representatives and college graduates for the company’s “fast-track management development program” with a claims operations focus, according to a statement from the company.

“We’re excited about expanding our claims operations with our new Katy office,” Geico CEO Tony Nicely said. “We know from the experience we’ve already had in Houston that it’s a great environment for business; the workforce is excellent, and the quality of life is outstanding.”

3.) Dunkin Donuts!- As a Bostonian, who grew up on this stuff, I must share the news!! – Katy will have it’s very FIRST Dunkin Donuts planned to open March 18. To celebrate the grand opening, the store — at 3051 N. Fry Road — will host a cup stacking competition for local schools and nonprofits with the winner receiving $1,000. Free doughnut and beverage samples will also be provided.

And for those who can’t wait until March 18, the new store will give away free medium coffees from March 11 until the grand opening.

“Time to bake the donuts”            

As you can see, there is A LOT happening in Katy currently. I am so excited to be living here and experiencing the greatness this city has to offer. If I can ever be of service to you-  questions, concerns, help, anything- I truly am here for you.

And of course, if you or anyone you know needs help finding or selling a home, contact me TODAY!!

Sincerely,

Alyssa Endres- REALTOR

617-869-9015

Alyssa.endres@ibuyrealty.com

Click HERE to Search for Homes!!

Understanding a Seller’s Market

 Dear Buyer, do you understand it’s a Seller’s Market?

If you are considering buying anytime soon in the Houston area you must first be aware of the fact that we are dealing with a Seller’s Market right now. if you are really serious about finding and purchasing your dream home there are some things that we MUST do differently moving forward. If not, you are going to get frustrated because you don’t understand the market and what we need to do in order to win the bid on the house you want. The last thing I want as a Realtor, is a client who feels like this —>

                                                                                                                                                                        

Dear Buyer, do you understand it’s a Seller’s Market?

With that being said, I’m going to suggest and encourage FIVE (5) THINGS that you and I MUST do in order successfully win the bid on a house in a Seller’s Market.

FIRST, I want to give you the Text Book Definition of the term “Seller’s Market” in regards to real estate:

 Definition of a Seller’s Market:

A seller’s market is one in which there are more buyers than homes for sale. Since supply is less than demand, homes will be higher priced making the deal potentially more favorable for the seller(s).

In other words, in a Seller’s Market the advantage shifts in their favor versus a Buyer’s Market. But no worries, as an experienced Realtor I know exactly what we need to do in order to successfully secure the house you want!                                

                                                          

 

Dear Buyer, do you understand it’s a Seller’s Market?

As your Realtor, I need you to know that I do this everyday and that I am good at what I do! With that being said, I want you to TRUST my experience and know that I have your best interest in mind. My objective is to comprehensively understand your goals and to structure a deal that does exactly what you expect, need, and want. However, I need to give you five (5) solid tips that’s going to make this process a smooth transaction for the both of us. They are as follows: 

 

 

#1 GET PRE-APPROVED: If you are serious about buying a home, know your buying power and get PRE-APPROVED TODAY! It’s a very competitive real estate market right now. If you are not Pre-Approved, we could miss out on your perfect house. Sit with your Loan Officer and be prepared to give him/her your last two (2) pay stubs, last two (2) months bank statements, last two (2) years Tax Returns, etc… Once you get your Pre-Approval Letter, CONGRATULATIONS! Now a seller will take us serious when we include your Pre-Approval Letter with the offer for their house. If you don’t have a Loan Officer, no worries! I work with some very professional Loan Officers that will explain the entire process and get you Pre-Approved.

 

 

#2 KNOW WHAT YOU NEED AND WANT: What do you need in a house? How many square feet? Where should it be located? One story? Two story? Need good schools for the kids? What about being close to work? WHAT DO YOU NEED AND WANT?

These questions are important! What about counter tops, Do you like granite? Do you want wood floors? Are you cool with tile? What about stainless steel? What if the house needs painting? What if the house needs some other updating? The more clarity you have about what you want, the easier it is to spot it. In a Seller’s Market, we don’t have time for you to be indecisive. Somebody might be writing a contract right now on the house you want…

 #3 TIME IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE: Just like I stated above, in a Seller’s Market you don’t have time to be indecisive. In this market, it’s not about superstitions, etc.. In a Seller’s Market, houses don’t stay on the market long. Houses are selling for asking price, if not higher and fast! TIME IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE. If you see a house that feels like home, lets write up a solid offer. If you waste time, that house might be under contract later today because we took too long. Again, in a Seller’s Market TIME IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE!

 

#4 WE MUST PRESENT AN OFFER THAT WILL BE FAVORABLY CONSIDERED: In a Seller’s Market, I’m always entertained by the Buyer that thinks they are a PROFESSIONAL NEGOTIATOR. They watch HGTV and a few other shows and think they got the process down to a science. Well, this is real life! In a Seller’s Market, most houses are going for asking price or more without seller assisted closing costs. Most houses are getting multiple offers, meaning more than one.

With that being said, if a house has been on the market for less than 30 days be prepared to potentially make a full-price offer, if not higher. In addition to that, do you need closing costs to make the deal work? If not, your deal looks more attractive if you don’t ask for closing costs in a Seller’s Market. If you need closing costs, add it on top of the purchase price to make your offer more attractive.

 

#5 DON’T BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE ON ZILLOW.COM: Zillow is a great website! However, we will not make an offer based on the information you got off of that website. The data on that website is based on Assessed Value, not actual Appraised Value. In other words, the data you are looking at on Zillow is what the County has Assessed the Value of the house to be for tax purposes. That number is almost NEVER correct in regards to actual value. So, don’t base your offer on Zillow.com. Ask me to do a CMA (Competive Market Analysis). This information will give you accurate and current data so we can make an informed decision.

 

Dear Buyer, do you understand it’s a Seller’s Market?

Now that you understand what it takes to get out here and win a bid for your Dream House, lets go tour homes. Email me your Pre-Approval Letter so I can have it on file. I will be bringing blank contracts with me just in case you see a house you want to write an offer on. Again, I’m good at what I do! I look forward to giving you the keys to your new home….

                                                                        

 

Alyssa Endres- REALTOR

617.869.9015

Alyssa.Endres@ibuyrealty.com

Click here to find homes for sale near you!