Blog entries - March 2010

Open House Events Set This Weekend in Graystone Hills, Fairfield and Oakhurst at Kingwood

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:48:24 +0100

March 20 & 21, 2010 - This weekend, Friendswood Development Company will host an open house even in three communities, offering visitors the opportunity to tour both new and resale homes.

Fairfield, Oakhurst at Kingwood and Graystone Hills in Conroe will have a variety of new homes open, with many ready for move-in, as well as resale homes open with Realtors on site to answer questions.

Residents, Realtors and shoppers have opportunities to tour new and resale homes and find out why many people are making these Friendswood Development Co. communities their home.

For years, the Open House weekend event has taken place in master-planned Fairfield and due to demand and response; the event now will be a regular occurrence in Oakhurst at Kingwood, offering direct access to U.S. 59; and in Graystone Hills, Conroe’s only master-planed community. “This is a great way for home shoppers to really learn a lot about the community,” said Christine Draughn, marketing director for Friendswood Development Co.’s north Houston communities.

The Open House event in both communities is the weekend of Jan. 16-17. Visitors can tour new decorated model homes, inventory homes and resale homes.

New homes are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Resale homes are open from 1- p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

In Fairfield, maps and information are available at the Fairfield Information Center, just past the main entrance of the community on Mason Road.Visitors to Oakhurst at Kingwood will find signage and a plexi box with information directing them to model homes and open houses available at central distribution points in the community. In Graystone Hills, maps and information will be available at the recreation center, which is located near the entrance of the community.

Fairfield, Graystone Hills and Oakhurst at Kingwood offer an impressive selection of homes that range from luxury courtyard and patio homes to elegant custom homes.

Spring Forward for Daylight Saving Time: March 14

Greg Rivera — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:18:32 +0100

Each Spring, we move our clocks forward by one hour during the night in order to capture the convenience that extra light brings during the Spring and Summer seasons. Friendswood Development Company is reminding Graystone Hills residents to remember to do just that at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 14.

Daylight Saving Time actually affects you in more ways than simply confusing your schedule. By making the adjustment, we are allowing ourselves to use less energy in lighting out homes. This energy-saving orientation was the original intent of the U.S. when Daylight Saving Time was instituted during World War I and later when the length of Daylight Saving Time was standardized in 1966.

Due to the passage of the Energy Policy Act in 2005, Daylight Saving Time is now four weeks longer by extending the time change from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November. Our new routine was established with intent to save 10,000 barrels of oil each day by reducing power used by businesses.

Friendswood Development Company hopes feeling greener eases the pain of losing an hour this weekend and that all our visitors, Realtors, and community residents enjoy the warmer Houston weather ahead!

Crighton Players: Our Town

Greg Rivera — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:44:12 +0100

Conroe’s own Crighton Players are presenting the drama Our Town from March 5th through March 29th. This American classic, written by Thorton Wilder, is directed by Grace Thompson and is sure to make a remarkable night out for Graystone Hills residents.

The “Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a rich, engaging story exploring the lives of people living in a quintessential American small town at the turn of the 20th Century.

Performance Times:

Friday-Saturday at 8:00 pm

March 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 & 26-27

Sunday Matinees at 2pm

March 14,21, & 28

Purchase Tickets

Residents should also look out for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest this summer.

Photo: Director Grace Thompson shows actors the emotion she wants for a scene during rehearsal. Photo by David Hopper

Montgomery County Master Gardeners Plant Sale

Greg Rivera — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:27:27 +0100

The Montgomery County Master Gardener Association is dedicated to beautifying the Conroe area through the cultivation of tasteful vegetation and the spread of horticultural knowledge. The Master Gardeners provide gardening information and education to community members through activities including:

Manning a garden information telephone line every week day
Maintaining demonstration gardens to test plant success in Montgomery County
Providing educational outreach on a variety of horticultural topics to garden clubs, civic associations and other community organizations
Assisting with Junior Master Gardening programs in schools for children
Writing educational and informational articles for the local newspaper
Providing landscaping support to initiatives like the Habitat for Humanity projects.

As an effort to spread horticultural awareness and beautiful plan availability, MCMGA holds three plant sales each year, with one set for March 20, 2010. The sales is aptly placed at a moment when Montgomery County residents are revamping their gardens for the springtime.

The Plant Sale features plants selected by Master Gardeners for outstanding performance in the Montgomery County area. Graystone Hills resident gardeners should mark the show as a must-see!

Montgomery County Master Gardener Plant Sale March 20, 2010 Pre Sale Program at 8:00am Plant Sale 9:00am to 1:00pm County Extension Office 9020 FM 1484, Conroe, TX

For more information, visit MontgomeryCountyMasterGardeners.org

Montgomery County Fair April 9-18

Greg Rivera — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:14 +0100

The largest event in Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Fair, is set to take place April 9 through April 18, and preceding the fair will be the MCFA Scholarship Trail Ride on the weekend of March 26 through March 28.

This fair will be Montgomery County's 53rd annual fair in which the community has come together to support its youth. The fair anticipates approximately 1,000 animal exhibitors, in which spectators support and auction for student-raised livestock and smaller animals. Activities within the fair festivities include a Fair Queen pageant, animal judging, church services, craft lessons such as needlecraft and photography, a teen dance, barbecue cook-off, and so much more.

Admission Prices

April 9th, 10th, 11th, 16th & 17th
12 and older - $10.00 11 and under - $5.00 Preschool – Free

April 9th & 10th Military Appreciation Days
Uniformed Military Personnel – Free (Included members of immediate family with active Military I.D.)

April 18th El Dia De La Familia Hispana
12 and older - $15.00 11 and Under - Free

Gate admission entitles one to all events with exception of carnival rides.

For a schedule of events and more information about the Montgomery County Fair and its history, visit MCFA.org.

J.D. Power and Associates ranks Village Builders highest for Customer Satisfaction in Houston ...

Cheryl Boe — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:28:19 +0100

Village Builders, Houston’s Premier Luxury Homebuilder for more than 35 years, was recently awarded the 2009 Highest Ranking for Customer Satisfaction (in a tie) in the Houston area by leading global marketing information services company, J.D. Power and Associates.

J.D. Power and Associates quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. The New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study, now in its 13th year, includes satisfaction rankings for builders in 24 markets. The study reviews factors that drive overall customer satisfaction with home builders including workmanship/materials, builder’s warranty/customer service staff, price/value, builder’s sales staff, construction manager, home readiness, recreational facilities provided by the builder, builder’s design center and location.

“We are truly honored to receive this ranking,” states Cindy Hinson, Vice President of Operations for Village Builders. “It is our top priority to build our customers a home with the finest quality craftsmanship and luxury, and to provide superior customer service to all of our homebuyers and prospective buyers.”

For more than three decades, Village Builders has been committed to helping Houston homebuyers find the home of their dreams. Their consistent passion for perfection, cutting edge design and customer care has been a sign of success for thousands of Houston families. The Village Builders brand is synonymous with excellence and is founded on a tradition of quality craftsmanship and innovative design. Pride and high standards are reflected in each detail of a Village Builders home.

Village Builders offers distinguished home collections at communities in the most desired locations in the Houston area, such as West Ranch, Graystone Hills, Fairfield and Oakhurst at Kingwood.

Find your new Village Builders home in Houston at VillageBuilders.com or call (866) 203-6386.

Disclaimer:
*Village Builders received the highest numerical score in Houston in a tie in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2009 New-Home Customer Satisfaction Study SM. Study based on 26,231 total responses in 24 markets, measuring 26 builders in Houston (Brazoria, Ft. Bend, Galveston, Harris and Montgomery Counties) and measures opinions of consumers who purchased a new home in 2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed March-July 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. Houston market area covers Brazoria, Ft. Bend, Galveston, Harris and Montgomery Counties. Copyright © 2010 Lennar Corporation. Village Builders and the Village Builders logo are registered service marks or service marks of Lennar Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. 1/10

Lennar and Village Builders Offer Lucky Day Incentives in March

Cheryl Boe — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:42:47 +0100

In keeping with the festivities surrounding St. Patrick’s Day in March, Lennar and Village Builders are celebrating this lucky day with fabulous incentive opportunities all month long! Purchase a home in one of their more than 60 communities throughout the Houston area and receive a Lucky Day Scratch-Off Card! Each card will reveal one of three amazing incentives – a front-load washer and dryer, a sprinkler system or custom garage floor coating. Village Builders is also offering additional incentives this month including free Design Studio options up to $50,000 off.

Additionally, by visiting Lennar Houston on Facebook, individuals have the opportunity to become a fan and enter the Lucky Day Ireland Giveaway for a chance to win a trip for two to Ireland. Become a fan today!

Plus, time is running out to take advantage of the historic government homebuyer tax credit opportunities. New homes must be purchased by April 30, 2010 to qualify for a tax credit. If you haven’t owned a home in the last three years you may qualify to receive a first-time homebuyers tax credit of up to $8,000. Current homeowners may also qualify to receive up to a $6,500 tax credit. To qualify for the $6,500 tax credit, prospective homebuyer must have owned and resided in a home for any five consecutive year period during the last 8 years prior to the purchase of a new home. These tax credits are not loans, but prospective buyers need to act now, as this is one opportunity you don’t want to miss.

Lennar is one of the nation’s leading home builders with more than 55 years of experience building homes and communities all across the country. Lennar offers a variety of homes to meet any prospective homebuyer’s unique home ownership needs.

Village Builders a part of the Lennar Family of Builders, has enjoyed the distinction of being Houston’s luxury builder for more than 3 decades. The Village Builders brand is synonymous with excellence and is founded on a tradition of quality craftsmanship and innovative design. Recently, Village Builders was awarded the 2009 Highest Ranking for Customer Satisfaction (in a tie) in the Houston area by leading global marketing information services company, J.D. Power and Associates.

Lennar builds in Friendswood Development Company's Graystone Hills, Oakhurst at Kingwood, Fairfield, Lakes of Savannah and Lakemont communities. Village Builders builds in Friendswood Development Company's Graystone Hills, Oakhurst at Kingwood, Fairfield, and West Ranch communities.