We've been looking in the Firethorne neighborhood area and was wondering if any of you guys live in the area or if any of the Texag resident realtors can provide any information on the area?

We had found a home that we liked, but later found out the neighborhood is split between KISD and Lamar. While we don't have kids currently we're afraid that Lamar zoned home could hurt our resale later on. Any thoughts?

TIA


[This message has been edited by jjdavis85 (edited 8/27/2012 2:26p).]

I have lived there for over 4 years now and we love it. We of course live in the Katy ISD zoned area of Firethorne. My opinion is that the Elementary school and middle school that are zoned for LCISD are supposed to be good schools. I am not sure I can answer how it will reflect resale, but my assumption is that you will be able to sell a house easier in Katy ISD than LCISD, but it is simply a guess. One thing to consider, however, is that there is so much new consturction that if you are to resale in 5 years you may have some issues anyway, but if you are in it for 10-15 years that may become an issues at that point in time.

Just my $.02.

Contact Jay Thieme with ReMax. He's an Ag and has a wealth of knowledge about the Katy area.

713.252.5031
jaythieme@remax.net

He's actually helping my SIL right now.

[This message has been edited by cgarcia23147 (edited 8/27/2012 3:00p).]

Close to the riverwalk!

We moved out to Firethorne this summer and love it! When we were looking at homes in the Katy area, we initially marked Firethorne off of our list because it seemed so far away from everything (all of the action seemed to be along Grand Parkway and in the Cinco Ranch area). However, as we became more familiar with the layout of Katy, we realized that its location along 1463 actually makes Firethorne more accessible than many of the other subdivisions located south of I-10.

It's my understanding that the KISD/LISD district boundary pretty much runs right along Firethorne West neighborhood line. So basically everything to the east of the new clubhouse they're building on South Firethorne Road is in KISD, and everything west of there is in LISD. If I recall correctly, LISD is slated to begin construction on an elementary school right there in the Firethorne West neighborhood sometime in 2013 or 2014. We live in the KISD zone.

Hope this helps!

[This message has been edited by Hugh Jass (edited 8/28/2012 8:29a).]

Is that the subdivision right by the Igloo plant?

I think its closer to Mikeska's in Columbus, right before the turn off to 71 towards Austin...

Thanks for the help. My main disappointment is the fact that new homes of West Firethorne are zoned to Lamar and that the new neighborhood popping up almost in Brookshire is zoned to Katy.

Also, we learned that the new Lamar school has not even been approved yet. The builders hype the school, but in reality they are hyping land donated by Firethorne to Lamar but that doesnt mean a school will be there in the near future. It's our fear that if we buy in that section and if the school never becomes reality then kids will have to drive past the new KISD school all the way to Huggins in Fulshear.

Like I said, we don't have kids but I'm affraid of that hurting resale down the road.Maybe I'm letting that factor in our decision too much.

[This message has been edited by jjdavis85 (edited 8/28/2012 9:18a).]

Firethorne Elementary started school yesterday!

Yes I know the name is Wolman but what a relatively lame name, wonder how much those two had to donate to get the school named after them.

I wouldn't mind West Firethorne depending on the distance to the Middle School/High School...how far away is it?

They didn't donate any money they both had long careers in Katy ISD.

I know I read the Katy Magazine, seem like nice people. I just would have preferred Neil Armstrong Elementary or some historical figure.

quote:

---

Is that the subdivision right by the Igloo plant?

---

North of I-10 west of Katy. Firethorne is south of I-10.

quote:

---

Is that the subdivision right by the Igloo plant?

---

North of I-10 west of Katy. Firethorne is south of I-10.

quote:

---

I just would have preferred Neil Armstrong Elementary or some historical figure.

---

How about Black Elementary, Zellweger Elementary or even Garofalo elementary?

Understand GoAgs.

my friend went to kidergarten with Renee Zelwegger.

KISD and LCISD are both fine. KISD has the name recognition and obviously lots of $$$. Chances are, if you're living in Firethorne your kids will go to a good school, regardless of district.

I'd rather be in Firethorne and zoned to LCISD than in a KISD area zoned to a Mayde Creek, Morton Ranch, or even Taylor. If you are zoned to LCISD, your kids will probably go the the Jr. high and high schools that will be built in Fulshear.

We are looking in that area as well. Another neighborhood that appears to be very nice is Woodcreek Reserve. It's off 1463 as well, but a little closer to I-10 which will make access much easier. With all the subdivions being built in that area (Cross Creek, Cardiff Ranch, Silver Ranch, Firethorne, Pine Mill Ranch, etc), 1463 is going to need a serious upgrade, or it's going to turn into a nightmare in the morning and evenings

biggest complaint of Woodcreek Reserve is how close it is to I-10. I hate sitting on my back patio and hearing traffic on the freeway.

That's interesting. We have been out there twice and couldn't hear anything. I guess it all depends on where you are within the neighborhood. While we are at it, any other downside(s) to Woodcreek Reserve?

[This message has been edited by txaggie02 (edited 8/29/2012 2:47p).]

quote:

---

I'd rather be in Firethorne and zoned to LCISD than in a KISD area zoned to a Mayde Creek, Morton Ranch, or even Taylor.

---

I would definitely prefer Taylor over Foster. I agree with you on Mayde Creek and Morton but I wouldn't recommend any homes north of I-10 in those areas anyway.

quote:

---

That's interesting. We have been out there twice and couldn't hear anything. I guess it all depends on where you are within the neighborhood. While we are at it, any other downside(s) to Woodcreek Reserve?

---

For the most part you probably wouldn't notice it. Next time youre out there, sit still, close your eyes and just listen. Like you would if youre sitting on your back patio drinking a cup of coffee in the morning reading the paper oir whatnot.

Ducks, you seem quite familiar with the area. My wife and I just moved to Katy about 3 months ago and currently live in an apartment near Mason Road and Highland Knolls (until we can find a home to buy). I've done quite a bit of research over the past several months in regards to all the communities on 1463. Is there one that you think is much better than all the others for any particular reason(s)? Are there ones to avoid for any particular reason(s)? Our budget is around $350k, if that helps at all. Your help is greatly appreciated!

i don't really know a whole lot. only that Woodcreek is close to I-10.

when looking at Firethorne's master plan, be mindful of the community's drill sites. probably wouldn't want a house with a drilling rig in your back yard.

[This message has been edited by Ducks4Brkfast (edited 8/29/2012 3:24p).]

If you don't mind the distance, a Trendmaker in Cross Creek Ranch is hard to beat.

Nicely laid out master planned community with great schools and a strong developer running the show.

I've looked at both Trendmaker Homes and Cross Creek Ranch. Trendmaker appears to make a nice home, but like you said, Fulshear is a hike for anybody heading into Houston for work. No way I would want to drive all the way up 1463 to get to I-10 and sure the heck don't want to be spend $4,000 a year in tolls for the wife and I.

[This message has been edited by txaggie02 (edited 8/29/2012 4:20p).]

I hear you.

Woodcreek Reserve has a good location but it looks like a pretty small little neighborhood.

I've never been too impressed when driving through Firethorne. It seems like a very typical 90's style suburb.

You could always look at older homes in Cinco. They will likely hold their value better than any of the other communities mentioned.

Woodcreek Reserve is pretty small, however Ashton Woods Homes is opening two more sections pretty soon that are going to be closer to 1463. All together, those sections will probably add another 100-110 homes. I'm sure other builders in the community have similar expansion plans which will make WR larger within the next several years. I know that the Ashton Woods realtor mentioned that another builder is going to start on a second gated area that includes more $500k+ homes.

[This message has been edited by txaggie02 (edited 8/29/2012 4:47p).]

From their website, it looks like they plan on building around 500 homes by completion.

Correct. I'd say they might be around 50% there right now. That's just a guess though.

The Wolman's are good people and have been active in the Katy community for a long time. Mr. Wolman also did a lot with the Outdoor Learning Center and worked at Katy High as a teacher for a long time. Nice guy and nice family.

I remember the OLC. Had a lot of fun field trips out there.

We lived in Greateood which is entirely Lamar ISD zoned and had no problem selling our house (sold it for almost $20k more than we paid 4 years earlier). It depends on the buyer and what their needs are. If they have HS kids, then they probably would think twice, but no kids or very young kids it's not as big of a deal if the neighborhood itself is nice.

That's great to know. The bond for the new elementary school won’t go up for vote until 2014,so if it misses the vote there then it's unlikely to be built until until closer to 2020. That's what scares us, but with the growth expected in that area I don't see it not getting a school in the next bond election.

We were originally looking in the Lakes of Bella Terra neighborhood (there’s currently a new school out there), but with factoring in the cost and nightmare that can be Westpark it is currently crossed off our list.

A plus to Bella Terra is David Powers builds in the neighborhood. Good builder.