Dozier's is really a small grocery store in Fulshear ( a couple of miles west of Katy on FM1093) Texas that also has a counter service restaurant. If I walked you in you might ask me to take you someplace else...that would be a mistake. This place serves great BBQ the way it ought to be...served on picnic tables off paper and plastic!

Dozier's does meat processing (so bring them the dear you just bagged), They do catering, they have a small grocery store so you can pick up some quick necessities...but what they really do is make great BBQ. You can walk up to the counter and pick what you like...I love the sausage and turkey beans and slaw...all as good as it gets. The BBQ sauce is wonderful and the portions are huge...for not a lot of $$$.

Take our word for it...put Dozier's on your list of must eat at restaurants in the Katy area!

Dozier's is located at: 8222 FM359 in Fulshear Texas. (tale FM1093 west to the end of the road, make a right on FM359 and it is a short distance ahead on the left) 281-346-1411

Katy Lake Estates is a subdivision of Acreage lots west of the City of Katy located in Harris County. This is a beautiful small subdivision of homes that not only give the kids plenty of room to play, but also puts them in the award winning KISD school district.

The location of Katy Lake Estates make it a great choice for those who work in the Houston Energy Corridor. Located just a few minutes from I-10, and about 15 miles from the energy capital this is a neighborhood that can give you all that Houston has to offer (just minutes away) and yet a country feel and setting that will make you feel like you are home!

If you have any questions about Katy Lake Estates or any of the other fine subdivisions that make up the fabric of the Katy area please do not hesitate to call or e-mail Team DiMuria (Jeff or Mona)...or just go to our website at www.KatyHomeFinder.com

The Master Planned Community of Cinco Ranch now has a full function model park with many homes and builders available for showcasing styles, upgrades, and price ranges. The model park will offer homes from many of the top Houston area builders live Village Homes, Highland Homes, Trendmaker, Perry, David Weekley, Ryland, Beezer, Partners in Building, and more.

Each builder's sales consultant will give you many reasons why you should choose the homes they are selling and building. This is why it is very important for you to have your Realtor accompany you with every showing. You will need an honest and unbiased opinion on what each builder does well...and what the shortcomings they have might be.

Make sure your Realtor gives you a full list of independent inspectors to check through the home and let you know what was done well...and what might need improvement. If the builder sales consultant tells you they have inspections done...let them know you will be doing your own independent inspections as well. If they do not allow these inspections you need to find another builder!

The benefit to Master Planned Communities like Cinco Ranch is the control they have over who builds within the subdivision. This can give you a certain peace of mind knowing that the developer has hand picked the best available builders.

At Team DiMuria we can help your from the beginning of the building process through the final stages. We can even help with picking the best upgrades for the money, or what color and type of carpet you should choose. We pride ourselves in not being finished until you have let us know you are totally happy!

This is a question that has little to do with the number of listings you have or the broker model you work for...it is about what you... as a Realtor are willing to do to best serve your clients!

We looked at all the different zones that effect a home listing and its days on market, the price, the marketing, the home itself (location, layout, cleanliness, etc...), Internet presence, and type of brokerage (big name, medium sized firm, small or boutique).

This is what we determined:

1. The price: Many agents make mistakes in this area...either pricing too high, too low, or missing special price points. You must use the best available comps for the home you are selling. Use what a home is Worth TODAY not a year ago into consideration! The biggest mistake is pricing on off dollar amounts (never price a home $149,990...price it at $150,000 it will appear in far more Internet searches and get you more traffic.

2. Marketing: As a listing agent part of your job is to put on a lock box, put it in the MLS or listing service, and put out a sign....BUT your obligation does not end at that point! We pre-list the home (we get info to other agents in our office as well as many agents throughout the area that we have done business with to get a taste of what is coming up), we make sure our marketing materials at the home are fresh and attention getting, we put flyers at our listings that are full color and drive the potential buyer to our website (I know some agents will not agree with that but it is about selling the house and not capturing the buyer), and we hold the house open for our clients, driving traffic to the open house through signs, newspapers, and the Internet. We use OSA (online sellers advantage) to give our sellers a snapshop of all the web traffic.

3. The Home: We cannot change the layout but we can help call attention to the positive aspects of it. We have a home staging designation and we help our clients prepare the home to put it in its best available light! We let are clients know what to do with pets, extra furniture, paint colors, overgrown landscape, etc... and we have a list of experts that can help them treat each shortcoming.

4. Internet Presence: This is the single most important aspect of what we do. We get our homes on as many websites and hosts as humanly possible. We make sure they are easy to find if someone is looking and we continuously re-input them. For this reason...and because of the time involved...we limit the number of listings we are willing to take!

5. Broker Type: We did quite a bit of research and aligned ourselves with the largest broker in Houston (Prudential Gary Greene Realtors). We did this for many reasons but the top reason was because a large broker like Prudential..and Gary Greene Realtors will have the most available technology and will tend to invest in the latest products to help us stay on the cutting edge of sales. We never want to be left behind on some new product that may help reduce our clients time on market because our broker does not have the resources available to take advantage of it!

Houston is a great city. The 4th largest city in the U.S. You have great theatre, wonderful sports options (professional baseball, football, basketball, and semi-pro hockey) new stadiums like Minute Maid Park, the Toyota Center, and Reliant Stadium. Lots of great restaurants (especially if you like steak, Mexican food, or BBQ).

If you like the big city near by...but want to live in a family area that has great schools, lot of medical options, accessibility to the hill country, the Gulf of Mexico, and of course all Houston has to offer...you need to take a long look at Katy!

Located about 15 miles west of Houston off I-10, Katy is near the Houston Energy Corridor and many of the residents of Katy work for some of the largest energy companies in the world. BP, ConocoPhillips, and Shell Oil are just some of the companies that call the energy corridor home. It has also been recently announced that KBR is moving its headquarters to Katy and will locate, on 80 acres, its 4500 or so employees. (at the corner of I-10 and the Grand Parkway).

Katy is most well known for two things:

1. The top football team in the State of Texas! Katy High School has won the Texas State Championship 4 out of the last 11 years!

2. The KISD School District. KISD is one of the finest school districts in Texas and many of the Oil executives, upon hearing they will be relocating to Houston will soon find out about the award winning schools of the KatyISD!

3. Top Medical Facilities. Katy has become known as Med-Center West in Houston. It already has two new hospitals...with three more to be built. Along with Memorial Herman and Christus St Catherine, Methodist, St Lukes, and Texas Children's Hospitals are in the process of construction. Many additional medical complexes are under construction to support this growth.

If you are looking for a great family atmosphere with lots of options for kids, families, seniors, shopping, and of course food...put Katy on your list!

Contact Mona or Jeffrey DiMuria www.KatyHomeFinder.com or jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com

KBR, the global engineering and construction firm that holds many of the contract in Iraq plans to open a new headquarters campus in Katy Texas on the corner of I-10 and the Grand Parkway. The 80 acre complex will will be the new home to KBR's 4500 or so employees and will have eight low rise buildings with around 900,000 sqft as reported by the Dallas Business Journal.

Although the plans have not been finalized according to KBR spokeswoman Heather Browne, this move makes perfect sense. It will put KBR in close proximity to the other prominent Houston Energy Corridor players like Shell Oil, ConocoPhillips, and BP. The effect on the Katy area will also be a large plus in terms of jobs, housing, medical facilities, and tax base.

great article on MLB.com about the Mets and the new stadium they will be playing in. In 2009 the Mets will be leaving Shea Stadium (potentially the worst stadium in baseball) and moving to Citifield. The new stadium is in the process of being built and is in the parking lot of Shea. Here is a link to some of the images as the new stadium has taken shape. The Jackie Robinson Rotunda was built in testament to the great Brooklyn Dodger Player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball.

Link: http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/citifield_images.jsp

When you are new to the business this is an easy chore...when you have been doing this for a while...assuming you intend to do proper follow up...you will struggle with what and how to follow up unless you use a system of categories.

You should have a two phase approach...and you can use Microsoft Outlook as well as many other follow up systems.

Set your categories. Here area examples:

1. Web Hits, 2. Phone Hits, 3. Call off Sign, 4. Marketing Lead Hit, 5. Bought our listing, 6. Family/Friends, 7. Relocation Lead, 8. Referred Lead, 9. Working Buyer, 10. Listing Lead, 11. Listing, 12. Under Contract, 13. Sold/Closed

You may have more depending on how you run your business but this will give you a breakdown. Your client may have more then one category (listing, working buyer, web hit) They may have originally hit you on the web, listed the home they live in with you, and are looking for a new home as well!

Phase two of the category breakdown has to do with how you flag the follow up. Phone, e-mail, door knock, send a letter. You set a category based on the red flag and stick to that follow up. By doing this and as you get more clients you will find you will not remember everyone but you will know how to follow up with them. We date each follow up and leave a message in the large box on the right of Outlook (example 1. 6/4/08 called and spoke to client about a home in Cinco Ranch MLS# 123456) this way we can look back a week or so later and familiarize ourselves with the previous follow ups.

Web clients are usually a longer process and you need a consistent follow up system to make sure not to miss out on info!

These are the rules for use on Cinco Ranch Lakes. 

1. BOATING AND LAKE USAGE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. NO LIFEGUARD IS PROVIDED.
2. Persons who sail on the lake must be approved by the Beach Club dock personnel.
3. Guests must be accompanied by a member at all times.
4. Children under the age of twelve (12) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of eighteen (18) while on the lake.
5. Coast Guard approved life vests must be worn at all times by all persons in a boat.
6. Boats are not allowed on the lake during inclement weather or after dark.
7. Use of the boat launch restricted to Beach Club hours of operation.
8. Boats must remain at least ten feet (10') away from the lake fountain(s).
9. No standing, jumping, horseplay, or bumping of boats is allowed.
10. No swimming, diving or wading is permitted in the lake.
11. Overnight mooring of boats on the lake is prohibited.
12. Animals (including waterfowl) are not permitted in the lake.
13. Fishing by rod and reel is permitted from the shoreline only.
14. Please remember after catching fish they must be released back into the lake.
15. Chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides may not be used within ten feet (10') from the lake to minimize harmful run off.
16. Lake water may not be drawn for any private use.
17. Member's boats must be approved by the Beach Club dock personnel. Minimum requirements are:
    a. No motorized watercraft
    b. No boats over 16' in length
    c. No windsurfers

FISHING IS CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY

Use of this facility is exclusively for member of the Cinco Residential Property Association (the "Association") and their guests, subject to the rules and regulations established by the Association.

PERSONS NOT FOLLOWING RULES ARE SUBJECT TO THE SUSPENSION OF PRIVILEGES.

USE OF THIS FACILITY IS AT YOUR OWN RISK

Seven Meadows...a Master Planned Community in Katy Texas is having its first annual BBQ Cook Off for community residents. They will be giving away prizes as well as bragging rights to the best BBQ cook and food!

The event will be held on May 17th, 2008 and will be held at the pavilion area of the central park. The BBQ teams can set up anytime of the day at the large pavilion. All BBQ must be cooked on site or it will not be judged for the final winner.

This event is open to all Seven Meadows residents and will begin at 4pm. You can come out and enjoy the BBQ and the Dunking Booth (we presume this is for the losers :)

Phone: 281-394-2274 for more details.

La Centerra has added a new name to the impressive group of restaurants that will be open in the new Cinco Ranch Mall. Perry's Steakhouse will open its doors in the fall of 2008. Perry's is well known in the Houston area for great steaks, desserts, and the best pork chops I have every eaten! This fine dining establishment will add to the impressive number of restaurants and night spots that have recently opened in the Katy area.

To have a look at the great menu click here http://www.perrysrestaurants.com/menus/champDinner.html

This will give you a great idea of what is in store for you if you have not yet had the opportunity to eat at this wonderful restaurant.

At the western section of the Katy area lies the Master Planned Community of Firethorne. This community was really designed with families...and kids in mind. The recreation center, pool, parks, and lacrosse fields are beautifully laid out and blend nicely into the landscape!

Many of the fine builders in the Houston area have chosen to build in Firethorne. Builders like David Weekley Homes, Partners in Building, Coventry Homes, Perry Homes, Plantation Homes, and Weisner Homes all build in Firethorne. Prices for new construction homes range from the 150's to the 500's and up.

Firethorne is located in the award winning KISD School District and both a brand new elementary school and middle school (opening in fall 2008) serve the area. The lacrosse fields in Firethorne are among the finest in the State and many tournaments are held on the fields. The location of Firethorne makes it an excellent choice for those who commute to the Houston Energy Corridor, Downtown Houston, or west to areas like Sealy.

Firethorne is located just south of I-10 off FM 1463 and is convenient to schools, shopping (including the huge Katy Mills Mall), the Westpark Tollway, and the new Memorial Herman Hospital. Add this community to your shopping list!

The city of Houston has decided to make I-10 center lanes either HOV (High Occupancy Vehicles at no charge) or a toll rd for those who use the EZ Tag system. I-10 is presently being expanded to a total of 18 lanes...the four center lanes will be the HOV/Toll lanes.

This proposal is somewhat controversial because the County is considering using peak hour pricing for rush hour in the morning and evening to keep the traffic flowing in the lanes. Residents have argued that they paid for the project with their taxes...and a Toll will in effect be double taxation.

Either way the new eighteen lanes going from Houston to Katy will help traffic flow and get our neighbors home earlier. The lanes should be in place by October 2008!

The Katy Sunrise Rotary Club is holding its 5th annual 5K run and 1 mile walk starting at the La Centerra Mall in the master planned community of Cinco Ranch in Katy Texas. The run will benefit the Family to Family Network helping families of children with disabilities. The date for the event is May 17th 2008and will begin promptly at 8:00am for the 1 mile walk and 8:30am for the 5K run.

The 5K run will feature ChampionChip timing and is a USATF certified 5K course. Here is a link to register for the event.

http://katysunriserotaryrun.com/default.aspx

Kelliwood is a very large subdivision in the Katy area south of I-10. It has many varied sections and feeds some of the best schools in the Award Winning KISD School District. Kelliwood was developed in the late 1980's and the last two sections of Kelliwood are being built out this year.

Properties in Kelliwood run from a low of about $200,000 to well over $1 million in the Lakeforest section. The first thing you are likely to notice when you exit Fry Rd south and drive into Kelliwood are the beautiful trees. The trees line the road and almost cover over the main streets keeping it a little cooler in our hot summer sun. The original section of Kelliwood was comprised of custom and semi custom homes built mostly by famed Houston area builder Kickerillo homes. They tend to be very large homes (usually between 3700 and 7500sqft) with some homes reaching above 10,000sqft. You will have a choice of gated sections like Lakeforest, Kelliwood Lakes, Kelliwood Links, and Lakes of Buckingham.

The Willow Fork Country Club is located at the south end of Kelliwood and is a reasonably priced country club that also caters weddings and meetings.

Kelliwood is close to I-10, the Westpark Tollway, The Grand Parkway, the LaCenterra Mall, Villagio Retail Center, and the Katy Mills Mall! It is also close to the Houston Energy Corridor and makes a great choice for those who are relocating with some of our major energy clients like BP, Shell, and Conoco Phillips.

If you live in the Houston or Katy area and have not tried the Brookwood Cafe in the Brookwood Community you are missing out! The Brookwood Community is a God centered community run by and for the residents...most have some form of disability and they run one of the finest restaurants on the west side of Houston! Go to the website and check out the menu http://www.brookwoodcommunity.org/index.html

The restaurant is open seven days a week from 11am to 2pm. It is connected to the retail center that offers beautiful hand crafted keepsakes, furniture, and some of the best flowers and plants available in Houston...leave yourself some time to browse!

The Menu is incredible and the desserts are beyond belief...no need for dinner after you eat lunch here! I had the Unbelievable Eggplant...a great combo of eggplant, chicken, avocado, and diced tomato. It was absolutely delicious.

The Restaurant is located about 15 minutes west of Katy south of I-10 on FM1489. You can call 281-375-2100 with questions...or to make lunch reservations (highly recommended) call 281-375-2400

You will be glad you did!