Firethorne: Positive Residential Real Estate News on Houston-Area Home Front; Master-Designed Community Celebrates Third Anniversary with 772 Home Sales to Date

    Katy/Fulshear, TX May 31, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Firethorne, with 772 home sales in its first three years, including 92 in 2009 (to date), celebrates its third anniversary this month with some positive residential real estate news from the Houston-area home front. The 1,400-acre master-designed community is located in Katy/Fulshear, 15 miles west of Houston's Energy Corridor.

"Firethorne has been holding its own in today's real estate market thanks to continued growth in the Katy and Fulshear areas and for being part of one of the greatest school districts in the state. There are three major Houston hospitals expanding in this area -- two under construction and one on the drawing board -- plus BP America and Conoco/Phillips relocating employees here," said Firethorne General Manager Wayne Meyer.

Thanks to this business activity, Firethorne continues to lay the infrastructure for new home sections and has begun work on the North Firethorne Road extension. In addition, Firethorne builders Perry Homes, David Weekley Homes, Coventry Homes and Partners In Building are building a total of four new homes for the new Model Park I set to open in September 2009. Highland Homes currently has a model in Model Park I.

"The Katy area in general is running counter to what the rest of the city and nation is doing (in home sales)," observed Partners In Building-Firethorne Sales Consultant Scott Wilson, based at Firethorne since June 2007. "While one may think the (sales) numbers should be down, the reality is, we're picking up a larger portion of the market share compared to other areas of town because of what value Firethorne offers. This year Partners In Building came out of January with a bang at Firethorne," he said. He notes an influx of relocation buyers, from out-of-town and from more seasoned Katy area residents looking to escape the traffic congestion of Mason and Fry Roads. "Interest rates will never be as low as they are now and homebuyers are finding their monthly house payments won't go up that much," he explained.

Firethorne sold 204 homes in 2008 and 218 homes in 2007.

According to Plantation Homes-Firethorne sales consultant Charlie Russo, his office is on pace to meet or exceed 2008 sales. "Business has been brisk this spring," said Russo, who has sold 17 homes this year. The homes, priced from the $170,000s to the $270,000s, are attracting more first-time homebuyers thanks to the tax credits available, he said.

"I believe Firethorne is just now coming of age," said David Weekley Homes-Firethorne Sales Consultant Sandee Horton, awarded David Weekley Homes Sales Consultant of the Year in 2007 and 2008. Horton also is seeing activity from top oil company executives relocating to the area. "I have clients who have referred me to friends and family, which speaks volumes about Firethorne," she said, noting one David Weekley Homes homeowner who transferred here from Brazil, referred her two other Brazilian families who bought homes in Firethorne.

Firethorne blends with the best nature has to offer: 150 acres devoted to parks and recreational amenities, a 12-acre lake with surrounding greenbelt, hike/bike trails, parks and playgrounds, discovery-rich wildlife observation area and a natural bird habitat. Firethorne combines the vibrancy of West Houston with the small-town charm of Katy/Fulshear. Served by the award-winning Katy Independent School District, the community is strategically located on FM 1463 near the crossroads of the 1-10 West corridor, the Westpark Tollway and the Grand Parkway.

To tour Firethorne, take I-10 West and exit Pin Oak to FM 1463, call 281-395-1440 or visit www.firethorne.info.

"The Katy, Texas area in general is running counter to what the rest of the city and nation is doing (in home sales)," observed Partners In Building-Firethorne Sales Consultant Scott Wilson, based at Firethorne since June 2007.

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