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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION
VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 JULY 26AUG. 22, 2023
HOME EDITION 2023
HOME EDITION 2023 SPONSORED BY • Caldwell Companies
Kelsey-Seybold to open new clinic in Atascocita
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Lake Houston dam project receives critical funding
Environment
9
Located near Madera Run Parkway and Woodland Hills Drive in Atascocita, Balmoral is a master-planned community comprising 2,500 single- and multifamily housing units. In its nal phase of development, Balmoral features a Crystal Clear Lagoon alongside other amenities.
COURTESY LAND TEJAS DEVELOPMENT CO. STARWOOD LAND
Granny’s Tamales honors family legacy through food
Master-planned communities dot the Lake Houston area
18
Pull the newest teaser from CC Libraries
BY HANNAH BROL
LLC broke ground on the 1,000-acre lagoon community Saint Tropez in June 2022. Located near the Grand Parkway and FM 1485, the commu- nity began preselling in August. “The Greater Houston area can be dened as one of the most competitive markets for master- planned communities in the nation. So if you’re going to build
a master-planned community in Houston, you’ve got to have the total package; a great location, great amenities, great homebuilders and great schools,” said Tim Johnson, director of community sales and marketing for Land Tejas Develop- ment Co., the developer of master- planned community Balmoral.
Over the past decade, develop- ers have ocked to the Lake Hous- ton area to build master-planned communities, adding thousands of housing units to the growing area. While some of these developers are beginning to wind down con- struction, others are just getting started. Developer Megatel Homes
CONTINUED ON 17
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
WHERE
ISAGETAWAY EVERYDAY CELEBRATING PARK&RECREATIONMONTH This month the U.S. celebrates Park & Recreation Month with the theme Where Community Grows . That is the inspiration for The Highlands, a fast-growing master planned community with a lifestyle inspired by the great outdoors. Here, you will find extraordinary homes by 13 builders and an exciting mix of amenities that connect families and neighbors together with the fun of nature and adventure. Recreational lakes 200-acre nature preserve Dog park 30+ miles of trails
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JULY 2023
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THIS ISSUE
ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes. MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Kim Giannetti EDITOR Hannah Brol REPORTERS Wesley Gardner, Emily Lincke SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ronald Winters ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Richard Hernandez METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jason Culpepper SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR Matt Stephens COPY EDITOR Adrian Gandara ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Ethan Pham CONTACT US 16300 Northwest Freeway Jersey Village, TX 77040 • 2814696181 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES lhknews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING lhkads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
FROM KIM: Our annual Real Estate Edition has a new name: Home Edition. This special edition includes an overview of the 2022-23 housing market across the Lake Houston community as well as development updates, maintenance tips from local experts and more. To learn more about how to keep your home in tip-top shape, and for information on local home trends, check out this year’s Home Edition on Pages 11-17. Kim Giannetti, GENERAL MANAGER
FROM HANNAH: From Balmoral and The Groves to The Highlands and Saint Tropez, master-planned communities have largely become the Lake Houston area’s status quo in recent years, with many still under development. To learn more about how these master- planned communities are progressing and how the local housing market is impacting developers, see our front-page story, which continues on Page 17. Hannah Brol, EDITOR
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JULY 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
NOW OPEN 1 Chucky’s Brunch Box opened May 27 in The Food Zone Grand Texas, located at 23020 Speed St., Ste. G, New Caney. The restaurant’s menu features Southern soul food for brunch, as well as dinner items that include chicken and wa es, fried cat sh and baked macaroni and cheese. 936-305-8220. www.instagram.com/chuckys_brunch_box 2 Blo Blow Dry Bar opened May 12 at 4625 Kingwood Drive, Ste. 700, Kingwood. The business oers makeup services as well as hair washing, styling and blowout services. 281-895-1322. www.blomedry.com/blo-kingwood 3 Pristine OB-GYN, Pediatrics & Family Medicine opened May 11 at 19792 FM 1485, Ste. B, New Caney. The new clinic oers family medicine, pediatric and women’s health care. 281-394-1460. www.pristines.org 4 La Real Michoacana Paleteria opened in July at 21671 FM 1314, Porter. Owned by Francisco and Ana Patino, the business oers Mexican artisanal ice cream and popsicles; Mexican snacks, such as elotes, tostilocos and nachos; and aguas frescas. 281-447-4747. www.facebook.com/larealmichoacanatx COMING SOON 5 Ocials with Salata have led permits to build a new location in Valley Ranch Town Center, according to ocials with the East Montgomery County Improvement District. Construction on the new 2,829-square-foot location is expected to wrap up by Dec. 28, according to the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation. To be located at 21856 Market Place Drive, New Caney, the fast-casual eatery will oer build- your-own salads and wraps. www.salata.com 6 Dirty Dough is coming soon to 4562 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood. The Utah- based company specializes in layered and lled 4-ounce cookies that can be shared or enjoyed solo. The menu will boast classic ¥avors that are always available, in addition to ¥avors that change on a weekly basis. A projected opening date had not been announced as
of press time. https://dirtydoughcookies.com 7 El Tiempo Cantina will open this fall at George Bush Intercontinental Airport—2800 N. Terminal Road, Houston—a communications director with the Houston Airport System con rmed June 9. Upon completion, the Tex-Mex eatery will measure 1,000 square feet, and be located in Terminal A North. www.eltiempocantina.com 8 Phone Repair Nerds will soon be opening at 7715 FM 1960 Bypass Road W., Ste. 103, Humble. The store will oer repair services for a variety of devices as well as technology buying and trading opportunities. While the move-in process began in March, store ocials had not announced an opening date as of press time. 936-900-4620. www.phonerepairnerds.tech 9 Ocials with national retailer Popshelf have led permits for a new store in Valley Ranch Town Center, according to the TDLR. To be located at 21336 Market Place Drive, Ste. 7, New Caney, Popshelf will sell a variety of items at discounted prices, including home decor, beauty items, gifts and toys. Construction on the new location is expected to wrap up by Oct. 31, according to the TDLR. www.popshelf.com 10 Ocials with Waxing the City have led permits for a new 1,645-square- foot studio in Valley Ranch Town Center, according to the TDLR. To be located at 21856 Market Place Drive, Ste. 500, New Caney, Waxing the City oers facial, body and Brazilian waxing services; brow tinting, henna and lamination; and lash tinting and lifting. Construction on the new studio is expected to wrap up by Dec. 15, according to the TDLR. www.waxingthecity.com 11 A 32-acre facility for Mexico-based company GCP Paper USA Inc. is coming soon to the East Montgomery County Industrial Park in New Caney. The $200 million project was announced in March and is expected to bring over 200 jobs to the community. The project will be completed in three phases—a 190,000-square-foot warehouse, a packing center and a conversion facility— to be completed within two to three years. GCP Paper USA Inc. produces
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O cials with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic announced plans to build a new three-story clinic in Atascocita via a June 12 news release.
La Real Michoacana Paleteria
Airi Poke & Ramen
RENDERING COURTESY KELSEY®SEYBOLD CLINIC
COURTESY LA REAL MICHOACANA PALETERIA
COURTESY AIRI POKE & RAMEN
FEATURED IMPACT COMING SOON Kelsey-Seybold Clinic o cials announced plans to build a new clinic at 17818 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Humble via a June 12 news release. According to the release, the 50,000-square-foot clinic will open in summer 2024 with space for up to 24 providers oering both primary and specialty care for adults and children. The clinic will also oer medical specialties and diagnostic services, including on-site imaging, laboratory services and a pharmacy. “Atascocita Clinic will allow us to better meet the growing demand for quality care in Northeast Houston Center at 21372 Hwy. 59, Ste. 300, Airi Poke & Ramen is owned by Leo Cai and oers traditional Japanese and Asian- inspired dishes. According to ocials with the EMCID, renovations included an expansion of the restaurant’s dining room to add seating. 281-354-8900 or 281-354-8901. https://airiramen.com CLOSINGS 18 Located at 7506 FM 1960, Ste. A, Atascocita, Texas Made Bakery has opted to close its brick-and-mortar store, according to a May 24 announcement from the business. The bakery initially opened in May 2022 and served cakes, pies, cookies
tissue products under a private label for companies such as Aldi, Costco, H-E-B and Walmart, according to a July 7 email from the EMCID. The industrial park is located o of FM 1485 West and Gene Campbell Road. www.gcppaper.com 12 Initially slated to open in the rst quarter of 2023, Bubbly Paws ’ new Kingwood location is now scheduled to celebrate its grand opening Aug. 19. Located at 30129 Rock Creek Drive, the store will oer self-service dog washing and full-service dog grooming, which includes a bath, blow drying, brushing, a haircut, a nail trim, ear cleaning and tooth brushing. 346-290-7670. 13 Yummy Tummy Pastries celebrated the grand opening of its new Humble bakery on April 15. Located at 241 FM 1960 Bypass Road E., Yummy Tummy Pastries is owned by Letty Martinez and oers staples such as strawberry shortcake, cookies and brownies as well as a rotating menu of seasonal items. The bakery also works closely with patrons to create custom cakes for a variety of celebrations ranging from birthdays to weddings. The bakery was previously located at 1005 First St. E., Humble. 281-446-0450. www.yummytummypastries.com www.bubblypaws.com RELOCATIONS 14 Buckle relocated within Deerbrook Mall on June 28. The men’s and women’s clothing store was previously located in Suite 1164 and reopened in Suite
1333, which is 2,500 square feet larger. Deerbrook Mall is located at 20131 Hwy. 59, Humble. 281-548-3725. www.buckle.com 15 A grand opening service for Parkwood Baptist Church was held July 9. Located at 1842 Northpark Drive, Kingwood, the traditional Baptist church hosts Sunday worship services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. along with Sunday school at 10 a.m. Construction on the project began in late May, and the church was previously located on Aldine Bender Road. 281-442-5359. www.parkwoodbaptist.org EXPANSIONS 16 Future Frame USA will be expanding to an additional building in the East Montgomery County Industrial Park, according to EMCID ocials. Future Frame USA’s lease began July 1 for the new 17,000-square-foot space—located o Megan Way and Gene Campbell Road—which will be used for additional production. The company manufactures and distributes construction materials for homebuilding and other projects. Future Frame USA’s main location is at 18900 Industrial Parkway, New Caney. 281-231-9200. www.futureframeusa.com RENOVATIONS 17 Following a temporary closure for renovations beginning May 15, Airi Poke & Ramen reopened in New Caney on May 28. Located in Valley Ranch Town
communities,” said Dr. Tony Lin, chair and CEO of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. “Patients in Atascocita and nearby cities and towns will have even more options to access trusted Kelsey-Seybold medical providers near home or work.” www.kelsey-seybold.com
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and other pastries. Custom cake and cookie orders can still be placed by calling Anna Maria Barrero at 346-732-9090. www.texasmadebakery.com 19 Ocials with Kolache Shoppe announced the closure of its Kingwood bakery eective July 2. Located at 4521 Kingwood Drive, the Kolache Shoppe franchise in Kingwood was opened by Randy and Lucy Hines in early December. The bakery oered 24 ¥avors of authentic Texas-Czech pastries, including fruit- lled and breakfast-style kolaches, in addition to coee- and espresso-based beverages. Kolache Shoppe has two additional locations in Houston with an additional bakery coming soon to Pearland. www.kolacheshoppe.com
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JULY 2023
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
COMPILED BY HANNAH BROL
STATE NEWS TxDOT seeking public input on $100B 10-year plan The Texas Department of Transportation is seeking public input on its 10-year transportation plan, known as the draft 2024 Unied Transportation Plan, ocials announced in a July 7 news release. According to the release, the $100 billion plan includes projects to improve safety, address connectivity and preserve roadways for Texas drivers. The UTP also aims to address public transportation, maritime, aviation, rail, freight and international trade, and bicycle and pedestrian connectivity. Per the release, the UTP is updated annually and is approved in August by the Texas Transportation Commission. The draft 2024 UTP public comment period began July 7 and will end at 4 p.m. Aug. 7. For more information about the draft 2024 UTP or to provide input, visit www.txdot.gov/projects/planning/ utp/utp-public-involvement.html.
ONGOING PROJECTS
UNION PACIFIC CORP. RAILROAD
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Atascocita Road, Blackstone Trails Drive intersection improvements Construction is underway on a project to install a new tra¦c signal at the intersection of Atascocita Road and Blackstone Trails Drive in Atascocita. According to Harris County Precinct 3 o¦cials, the project aims to improve safety and is expected to wrap up within the fourth quarter of 2023. Timeline: third quarter 2023-fourth quarter 2023 Cost: $370,000 Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3
Northpark Drive overpass Following a groundbreaking in April, construction was expected to begin on the long-awaited Northpark Drive overpass project July 10, Martin said in a June 30 newsletter. The project will expand Northpark Drive from four to six lanes between Hwy. 59 and Russell Palmer Road and add an overpass over the Union Paci¡c Railroad and Loop 494. Timeline: spring 2023-fall 2025 Cost: $9.5 million (city of Houston), $52 million (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 10/Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority) Funding sources: city of Houston, TIRZ 10/LHRA
Loop 494 expansion Construction is set to wrap up by Sept. 1 on a project to expand Loop 494 between a half-mile north of Kingwood Drive and north of Sorters McClellan Road, according to a June 30 newsletter from Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin. Originally expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2023, Martin noted the contractor has faced numerous construction delays related to the railroad, gas lines, impacts to water lines and a joint detention pond. Timeline: July 15, 2019-Sept. 1, 2023 Cost: $17.56 million Funding sources: 80% federal, 20% state
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF JULY 12. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT LHKNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
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ENVIRONMENT Lake Houston dam project secures $50M for nal design, construction
BY HANNAH BROL
government along with $30 million in local funds U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw also secured an $8 million earmark and $38 million in additional money for dredging in the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston. Local leaders were looking to the 88th Texas Legislature to fund the nal design and construction of the new gates. What happened: Per the release, the state has agreed to two funding requests that were made to the 88th Texas Legislature for the Lake Houston Spillway Dam Improvement Project, sediment capture projects, and both structural and nonstructural improvements for the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston. These requests were included in a rider to the 88th Texas Legislature’s appropriations bill and allocated
“THE LAKE HOUSTON AREA IS BLESSED WITH MANY ENGAGED RESIDENTS AND TOGETHER, THE ‘FIX’ FOR THE LAKE HOUSTON GATES IS FINALLY ON THE HORIZON.” DAVE MARTIN, HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MAYOR PRO TEM
Six years after Hurricane Harvey, the long-awaited Lake Houston Spillway Dam Improvement Project will be able to proceed to nal design and construction after receiving $50 million in state funding, Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin announced in a May 25 news release. The backstory: Since 2017, the city of Houston, Harris County, and state and federal ocials have been working to address the shortcomings of the Lake Houston spillway dam that were highlighted during Harvey. These eorts include a roughly $200 million design for improvements to the dam that would add 11 gates to the existing four-gate structure, which was built in 1953. The breakdown: According to Martin, the city of Houston has: • Spent nearly $4.375 million on design for the project • Secured $48 million from the federal
appropriations made to the Water Development Board in the 2022-23 biennium to be used for: • Removing accumulated siltation and sediment deposits in the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston • Sediment capture pilot projects upstream of Lake Houston • Structural and nonstructural improvements for the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston According to Martin, the $50 million allotment will be used in the nal design and construction of 11 new
ood gates, which will be added on the east embankment of the Lake Houston spillway dam. A construction timeline had not been announced as of press time. Going forward: The District E oce will host a community meeting in Kingwood to present the design concept and details related to the dam improvement project and future dredging and sediment capture. A meeting date had not been announced as of press time.
$50 million for structural improvements to the Lake
Houston Dam Spillway as well as any unexpected balances from
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JULY 2023
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2023
HOME EDITION
COMMUNITY IMPACT IS PROUD TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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REAL ESTATE DATA
COMPILED BY HANNAH BROL
2022-23 Lake Houston-Humble-Kingwood real estate market at a glance Across all Lake Houston-area ZIP codes, data shows fewer homes sold over the past year than did in the prior 12 months. The median home sales price rose across all area ZIP codes with 77339 experiencing the largest percentage increase and 77044 experience the smallest percent change. Data also shows Lake Houston-area homes are staying on the market longer.
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July 2021-June 2022
July 2022-June 2023
July 2021-June 2022
July 2022-June 2023
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JULY 2023
GUIDE
Local businesses oer home improvement tips
2023 HOME EDITION
HOME IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE
calculation [which] is a mathematical process for measuring several aspects of a home to determine the best size while increasing the comfort inside your home. The calculation is normally performed by a trained professional, such as a comfort adviser. • Neglecting routine maintenance. We cannot emphasize enough the impact of keeping your system professionally serviced on a yearly basis. WHAT SORT OF MAINTENANCE CAN HOMEOWNERS PERFORM TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF THEIR COOLINGHEATING SYSTEM? For those handy DIYers, here are a couple of pointers on maintaining/cleaning your HVAC system: • Clean the external unit (the condenser). It’s OK to spray water on your unit while it is running, [but] do not use any chemicals. Be very careful not to bend the ns on the unit. • Cut grass, plants and/or bushes away from the condenser. Your condenser needs to breathe, and it should have a clearance of approximately 2 feet radius around the unit. • Change your lters regularly. • We do not recommend pouring bleach into your drain line in your attic; it will rust your drain pan. We do, however, recommend using an algae tablet specically designed to place in your drain pan.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD HOMEOWNERS HAVE THEIR COOLINGHEATING SYSTEM SERVICED? Investing in a maintenance agreement is one the smartest things a homeowner can do for his/her HVAC system. Regular maintenance should be performed on a yearly basis. First of all, maintenance saves you money: • It can prevent costly breakdowns by as much as 95%. • It helps reduce your energy bill by keeping your system at peak e¥ciency. • It extends the life of your system. • It protects your warranty provided by manufacturers. Most manufacturers require proof of annual maintenance. • Investing in a preventive maintenance plan gives you the comfort of knowing that if something goes wrong, you’ve already taken the steps to make the situation as painless as possible. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON HVAC RELATED MISTAKES YOU SEE? • The most common mistake is not changing dirty/clogged lters. A lot of dirt can build in the lters, aecting airow and [causing] parts to work harder than necessary to operate. Failing to change lters allows dust and contaminants to circulate in the home when the A/C is running. • Installing the wrong size HVAC system. Upsizing or downsizing an HVAC system should be based on a heat load
ASK A FLOORING COMPANY
WEATHER READY AT HOME In addition to preparing for disasters by stockpiling food and water, homeowners can prepare themselves and their homes for severe weather events through home maintenance and repairs.
Southwest Flooring Direct, owned by Kurt Cradic, is a ooring company that has been serving Lake Houston-area homeowners since 2007.
COMPILED BY EMILY LINCKE
Renovations: while updating appliances, ooring, walls and windows
Construction: during
Now: immediately and are renter friendly
Measures that can be taken:
WHAT TYPE OF FLOORING IS BEST FOR FLOODPRONE HOUSES? Porcelain or ceramic tile is the only surface that would survive a ood. It is manufactured stone and doesn’t have any adverse reaction to extreme water exposure. Even though vinyl plank is waterproof, it would need to be removed to “air out” the foundation/suboor. Otherwise the moisture will be trapped and cause mold. HOW OFTEN SHOULD HOMEOWNERS REPLACE THEIR FLOORING? The cycles of ooring replacement will vary from surface to surface. The No. 1 factor is always wear and tear. [Floors] need replacing when the nish is soiling past the point of deep cleaning.
WHAT FLOORING IS BEST FOR HOMEOWNERS WITH PETS?
ASK AN HVAC PROFESSIONAL
the design phase of a new home or addition
Hard surface is always the best way to go with pets due to ease of cleanup, but if you have to have carpet, always buy a solution-dyed carpet with stain resistance built in. From there, you want to maybe spend a little more on a good grade of personal carpet cleaner. I have always recommended and used Spot Shot as a spot carpet cleaner. WHAT MAINTENANCE CAN PROLONG THE LIFE OF FLOORING? With hard surfaces, I recommend frequently cleaning with a vacuum, Swier or general sweeping [and] deep cleaning with something like Fabuloso for tile and Bona products for hardwood and vinyl plank. Deep clean carpets as needed by a professional.
Owned by Stephanie and Kevin Marquard, Kingwood Air Conditioning & Heating is a professional heating, ventilation and air conditioning company that has been serving Lake Houston-area homeowners for about 40 years.
Walls & oors
Windows & doors
R C Plants Trees can protect
Roofs
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N R C
Insulating pipes with foam sleeves can protect them from extreme temperatures.
Overhanging roofs can shade windows from the sun while still allowing indirect light in.
Weather stripping can protect doors and windows from rain and external moisture.
tune-up is recommended yearly. • Change your lters. Dirty or clogged lters can lead to a catastrophic failure of your HVAC system. • A programmable or smart thermostat gives you more control over the temperature in your home and can make a big dierence on your energy bill. • While you may be hesitant to replace your system because of prices, remember that the new unit will most likely pay for itself before too long.
HOW CAN HOMEOWNERS SAVE MONEY ON AIR CONDITIONING DURING THE SUMMER? Our Texas summers are brutal, so here’s a few tips on how to save money: • Raise your thermostat 3-4 degrees higher. Each degree above 72 can save you around 3% on your utility bill. • Supplementing your air conditioner with a fan will allow you to dial down your A/C by approximately 3-4 degrees. • Keep your cooling systems in tip-top shape by maintaining them. An A/C
sunny sides of buildings. Native trees are best adapted to the home’s climate.
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Using mold- resistant insulation can improve air quality, especially in homes that are humid or prone to ooding.
Solar panel installation can be paired with a smart inverter
Thermal curtains can protect against both extreme heat and cold while conserving energy.
for optimal energy use.
Stephanie Marquard Owner Kingwood Air Conditioning & Heating 22424 Loop 494, Kingwood 281-358-0955 https://kingwoodac.com
Kurt Cradic Owner Southwest Flooring Direct 1621 Lakeville Drive, Ste. 301, Kingwood 281-358-5678 www.sw ooringdirect.com
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SOURCES: HOUSTON ADVANCED RESEARCH CENTER, TEXAS STATE ENERGY CONSERVATION OFFICE¯ COMMUNITY IMPACT
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PORTER 23611 Hwy 59 (281) 354-0733 HUMBLE 19322 US-59 (281) 540-7202
KINGWOOD 1420 Kingwood Dr (281) 359-7115 ATASCOCITA 7034 FM 1960 E (281) 812-3100
SOMETHING New! INTO ive
FM 1960
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Exciting NEW things are happening in our Balmoral master-planned community in 2023–a new phase, new builders and new model homes to tour! Homebuyers say “yes” to a Balmoral address because of our location, many housing choices by leading builders, and world-class amenities — including the award-winning Amenity Village that is anchored by the state’s first Crystal Lagoons® amenity. With so much to offer, it’s easy to see why happy homebuyers are eagerly choosing Balmoral.
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Beltway 8 at Lockwood
New Homes from the HIGH $200s-$500s
BalmoralHouston.com
*The Balmoral Crystal Lagoon operating schedule and availability is subject to change without notice. Please visit Balmoral clubhouse for full details. 4/23
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BUSINESS FEATURE
2023 HOME EDITION
Fox Family Pools in Humble oers pool construction and maintenance. (Courtesy Fox Family Pools)
Fox Family Pools 1420 FM 1960 Bypass Road E., Ste. 100, Humble 281-550-7665 www.foxfamilypools.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., closed Sun. BUILDING A BACKYARD OASIS Fox Family Pools specializes in building custom swimming pools tailored to each client’s backyard. Step 1: Contact Fox Family Pools to schedule an assessment. Step 2: A designer will visit the property to view a copy of the survey and take measurements. Step 3: An options package for eligible clients listing all available designs is put together; the design phase typically takes two to four weeks. Step 4: Once a design is selected, construction can begin which typically takes six weeks depending on weather. Step 5: After the pool is complete, clients can continue to contact Fox Family Pools for repairs and maintenance.
From left, Fox Family Pools employees Austin Holbrook, Owner Lisa Holbrook, Jeremy Richard and Rick Royal stand outside the Humble-based business. (Wesley Gardner/Community Impact)
Fox Family Pools Custom swimming pool builder marks 20 years in Humble W hen Lisa Holbrook took over Fox Family Pools in 1994, she had no idea she would soon become thoroughly BY WESLEY GARDNER
whatever they need—parts, chemicals, toys,” Holbrook said. “We also have licensed service technicians that come out to your house and do all the equipment repairs.” While not everyone is able to have pools installed in their yards due to property limitations, Holbrook said Fox Family Pools sends designers out to all interested homeowners to assess their options. The business will then put together an options package listing all available designs. Holbrook noted design usually takes two to four weeks with con- struction taking roughly six weeks. Looking back on her career, Holbrook said she most cherishes the friendships she’s made through new clients. “The people that you meet and build their pool, they end up becoming friends,” she said. “We have customers that we built their pool 20 years ago, and their kids were just being born, and now they’re going o to college, so it’s pretty neat.”
entrenched in the Humble community. The business, which oers pool construction and maintenance services, opened in Cypress in 1978. However, Holbrook said she and her husband decided to relocate the business to Humble in 2003. “All our family was out here, and we were always out here on our o time,” she said. “We bought a house out here, and we decided we wanted to be closer to home, so we moved the business here and have been operating in this location ever since.” According to Holbrook, Fox Family Pools special- izes in building custom swimming pools tailored to each client’s backyard. She also noted the business has technicians on hand to help clients with any of their pool-related needs after construction. “We do water testing and help customers with
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12310 W. Lake Houston Pkwy. Houston, TX 77044 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JULY 2023
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CONTINUED FROM 1
2023 HOME EDITION
RISING RESIDENTIAL
The Lake Houston area is home to roughly a dozen master-planned communities, with several still in development.
decide to stay home and make home improvements,” Rose Miller said. Sales for single-family homes in the Lake Houston area decreased about 17% in April compared to April 2021, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center. Rose Miller said low inventory has resulted in a buyer’s market. “When [the market] was competitive and you’re in a bidding war, you’re going to take what you can get,” she said. “Buyers are not playing that game anymore.” Cost of living In response to the interest rate change, Rose Miller said many homebuyers are seeking new- construction homes in master- planned communities over resales. “The builders have interest rates that are lower than the going market, so it makes it very attractive for buyers,” she said. In the Lake Houston area, Balmoral homes range from $200,000- $500,000, while homes in The Groves and The Highlands run from $300,000-$700,000. In Saint Tropez, homes are expected to start at $350,000 and go to $700,000. However, Rose Miller said in master- planned communities—which tend to have more lavish amenities than a typical neighborhood—she believes it’s important for buyers to keep additional fees in mind. For example, annual homeowners association fees cost $1,164 in The Groves and $1,420 in The Highlands. “You need to do your homework so you don’t get surprised when those HOA fees hit you,” Rose Miller said. “It’s just a question of do they feel value for what they’re getting?” While HAR Chair Cathy Trevino said improving market conditions may be ahead, a variety of factors will play a role in the outcome. “Unfortunately, there still are looming inuences [on the housing market] out there that remain out of our control, including interest rates, a possible deepening of ination or a drift toward recession,” she said in the report. “Any one of those could slam the brakes on home sales.” Emily Lincke contributed to this report.
new housing units by 2031, according to a PASA report prepared for New Caney ISD in April 2022. While Saint Tropez is still in the early stages of development, Balmoral and The Groves—both located in Atascocita—are approaching build- out this year, developers said. The Groves began development in 2013 and opened with its ¦rst homes in 2015; work on Balmoral began shortly after in 2017. Upon completion, the communities will comprise 2,000 and 2,500 housing units, respectively. “We are selling the ¦nal lots to builders this year as well as the ¦nal commercial parcels designated for future development,” said Steve Yetts, president of The Groves developer Ashlar Development. Meanwhile in Porter, The Highlands began construction in 2020. Upon build-out, the 2,300-acre community will feature 4,000 homes. “The Highlands opened in fall 2021 and recently passed 450 home sales and 300 residents,” The Highlands Marketing Manager Becca Green said. Developers agreed choosing the location for their communities was paramount to their success as the Lake Houston area has close proximity to George Bush Intercontinental Airport and easy access to corridors such as Hwy. 59 and the Grand Parkway. Market outlook After two years of elevated home prices in Houston, prices began to decrease for the ¦rst time in February, according to a June 14 report from the Houston Association of Realtors. However, the median price for single- family homes—which ranged from $298,815-$379,500 as of April—in three market areas that make up the Lake Houston area remains roughly 20%-40% higher than the median price in April 2019, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center. “[Home] prices have come down but not as much as people thought they would by now,” Rose Miller said. Local real estate agents said the increase in interest rates to above 6% for a 30-year mortgage—which occurred in September for the ¦rst time since 2008, according to Freddie Mac data—may have caused prospective homebuyers to hold o¢ on purchases. “Now, people look at the inter- est rate, and they see what they can buy for their money, and they just
Under construction
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3 The Highlands Price range: $300,000s-$700,000s Developer: Caldwell Communities Size: 4,000 single-family homes Status: opened fall 2021; recently passed 450 home sales and 300 residents 4 Saint Tropez Price range: $350,000s-$700,000s Developer: Megatel Homes LLC Size: 4,500 single- and multifamily homes Status: broke ground in June 2022; began preselling in August; completed Phase 1 in rst quarter 2023
1 Balmoral Price range: $200,000s-$500,000s Developer: Starwood Land (formerly Land Tejas Development Co.) Size: 2,500 single- and multifamily homes Status: opened in 2017; in nal phase of development 2 The Groves Price range: $300,000s-$700,000s Developer: Ashlar Development Size: 2,000 single- and multifamily homes Status: opened in April 2015; in nal phase of development
8 Kingwood 9 Oakhurst 10 Park Lakes
11 Summerwood 12 Valley Ranch
5 Canyon Gate 6 Eagle Springs 7 Fall Creek
SOURCES: DEBORAH ROSE MILLER, ROSE REALTY; STARWOOD LAND; LAND TEJAS DEVELOPMENT CO.; ASHLAR DEVELOPMENT; CALDWELL COMMUNITIES; MEGATEL HOMES LLCCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Land Tejas was acquired by Star- wood Land in 2021. Deborah Rose Miller, a Realtor with Rose Realty, said the Lake Houston area is home to roughly a dozen master-planned communities. She added the recent rise in master- planned communities is being further highlighted by a second trend: homebuyers opting for new- construction homes over resells. “This is the year for new construction,” Rose Miller said. “I’ve [sold] more new-construction homes
this year than ever before.” As new homes y on and o¢ the market, real estate experts said the future of a¢ordable housing in the Lake Houston area remains unclear. Creating communities According to a Population and Survey Analysts report prepared for Humble ISD in March 2020, Balmoral and The Groves were expected to add 2,060 and 1,196 new housing units, respectively, by 2029. Similarly, The Highlands was expected to add 2,902
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JULY 2023
DINING FEATURE
BY EMILY LINCKE
YOUR LOCAL GEICO AGENT MAKES BUNDLING SIMPLE.
TAMALES FOR DAYS Granny’s Tamales oers 13 varieties of homemade tamales, which are for sale at the business’ four locations in the Greater Houston area or via online shipping. Available in mild or spicy options Bean Bean and cheese Bean and chorizo
Bundling your home and car insurance is super easy with GEICO. Not only could you save money with a special discount, but you’ll also sav time by having all your coverages in the same place. only could you save money with a special discount, but you’ll also save your local geico agent makes bundling simple. Home + Auto = easy r home and car insurance is super easy u save money with a special discount, b by having all your coverages in the sam your home and car insurance is super easy you save money with a special discount, but by having all your coverages in the same cal geico agent makes bundl Home + Auto = eas local geico agent makes bundling Home + Auto = easy Bundling your home and car insurance is super easy with GEICO. Not only could you save money with a special discount, but you’ll also save time by having all your coverages in the same place. HOME+AUTO=EASY
Pork and beef mix Chicken Spinach, cheese and chicken Spinach and cheese Jalapeno and cheese Jalapeno, cheese and chicken
Bean and jalapeno Sweet corn
One of the most popular menu items at Granny’s Tamales is the spinach, cheese and chicken tamale, Owner Tina Gonzalez said.
EMILY LINCKECOMMUNITY IMPACT
Granny’s Tamales Humble eatery centers family, faith to grow A rmed with a secret family tamale recipe, husband- and-wife duo Daniel November 2020. Granny’s Tamales also frequently sets up booths at farmers markets
and Tina Gonzalez said they have relied on faith and hard work to grow their Humble-area business, Granny’s Tamales. “We put God rst, and we work real hard, and that’s going to create success,” Tina said. “That’s what we’ve done for the past 18 years; we live by that motto.” Granny’s Tamales opened in 2005 in a 900-square-foot building in Humble. Tina said the business was launched using the tamale recipe of Daniel’s mother, Juanita Gonzalez, and boasted a menu of 13 tamales varieties, Mexican sugar cookies and salsa. Over the years, Tina said the menu has evolved with new tamales avors. The eatery’s top-selling avors are the pork and beef mix—which comes in a mild or spicy option; jalapeno, cheese and chicken; and spinach, cheese and chicken, Tina said. “Over the past 18 years, everybody that tried them talked about how good they are,” Tina said. The Gonzalez couple owns four stores across the Greater Houston area, including a store in Spring, a food truck in Humble and a location in New Caney. Tina noted the current Humble location—at 1305 First St. E.—opened in
and local food festivals, which Tina said has contributed to the business’s success. “Over the years, our name has just gotten out there through the dierent things that we’ve marketed and did,” Tina said. However, the journey of opening four locations has not been without challenges, Tina said. Tamales are a popular holiday food, so Granny’s Tamales sells the most tamales during the winter months. The summers, on the other hand, can be a dicult time, she said. “It’s not easy to sell a tamale in July or August with the heat. ... You have to be more strategic in what you’re doing and more diverse in how you do things, and you have to have a good product for tamales to make it here in the summer,” Tina said. Granny’s Tamales also has locations in Corpus Christi that Juanita—also known as “Granny” and the business’s namesake—rst opened in 1999. Juanita has since passed away, but Tina said the family works to keep her legacy alive through the business. “We have a great recipe from my mother-in-law,” Tina said. “As a family, we’re still keeping the tradition going with the tamales.”
Granny’s Tamales serves a variety of rice, beans and salsas.
COURTESY GRANNY’S TAMALES
START YOUR QUOTE!
Daniel and Tina Gonzalez own four Granny’s Tamales locations.
COURTESY GRANNY’S TAMALES
Granny’s Tamales 1305 First St. E., Humble 281-446-0363
Dave Nelson 281-925-6733 ¡Hablamos Español!
Limitations apply. See geico.com for more details. GEICO & affiliates. Washington, DC 20076. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2022. © 2022 GEICO. 21_633312129
www.grannystamaleshouston.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sun.
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LOCAL OFFICE Dave Nelson 281-925-6733 ¡Hablamos Español!
F I R S TS T . E .
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Limitations apply. See geico.com for more details. GEICO & a liates. Washington, DC 20076. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2022. © 2022 GEICO. 21_633312129
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