Feel free to share your thoughts and comments, as we join together with the Houston area communities and citizens in building an interactive relationship!
Posted on Jul 31, 2009 | Tagged in: Realtors , Heritage at Towne Lake , events
We would like to thank all of the realtors and sponsors that made yesterday's Social Media event a success!
Realtors from around the Houston area gathered to learn from experts about how they can utilize social media online to further their business. We covered networks like Facebook, ActiveRain, and Twitter, and talked about the importance of being effective "community members" online. After our two classes, Realtors could visit with Social Media Experts (a huge hit!) and get answers relevant to their own unique situations.
Realtors also enjoyed dancing to music played by the excellent Doppelganger (a nine-piece variety dance band), food, martinis, candy, and a FlipCam giveaway.
We will soon be posting a video with highlights from the event, so look out for that article soon!
If you were unable to attend this Social Media event, you can still view the handout provided by PoeticSystems with a list of a few references to get you started.
Click to Download
Our Houston area communities will all soon be sending their scholars back to school for the 2009-2010 school year, and we at Friendswood Development Company could not be prouder. As we reflect on the past productive school years with the Houston communities and imagine the even greater things to come, we predict one of the most successful school years in the Houston area yet.
A Legacy
Friendswood Development has become a foundation for the Houston population and its future. The communities we have developed span across an array of award-winning school districts. Our communities' educational repertoire now includes: TEA Recognized Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D., Lamar Consolidated I.S.D., TEA Recognized Alvin I.S.D., TEA Recognized New Caney I.S.D., Conroe I.S.D., and TEA Recognized Friendswood I.S.D.
Posted on Jul 15, 2009 | Tagged in: Heritage at Towne Lake , events
Social networking on the Internet has become one of the most powerful tools in marketing real estate today. Helping Realtors to use and understand the importance of social media to expand their business has become an industry-wide outreach campaign all across the nation. Now, Friendswood Development Company is again setting a precedent in how we market and work with our Houston area master-planned communities and Realtors.
On Thursday, July 30, Friendswood Development Company will host an event that promises to be the first of its kind in Houston. For Realtors city wide, it will focus on helping them to gain a better understanding of social media in their business, offering them the latest trends in social media marketing. The event will also have industry experts on hand who can answer questions and offer valuable information on everything from setting up Facebook and Twitter accounts to posting a YouTube video. Realtors in attendance will also have the opportunity to learn about various aspects of website effectiveness, including tips about the latest gadgets that will help them enhance their business.
“The Internet has become the most powerful tool in marketing real estate,” said Tim Fitzpatrick, Community Development Manager. “People are online networking with other consumers about homes, communities, builders, schools and amenities, and it’s more important than ever that we become a part of that conversation.”
As an extra special feature, we will be giving away 20 FlipCams as door prizes. This new flip video camcorder has become one of the newest and most effective tools in social media/Internet marketing. FlipCams will also be used at the event that will be captured on YouTube.
The FlipCam was a significant device in helping to promote this event, as seen from the YouTube video link, a personal invitation from the Friendswood Development team. “This was another way to show the effectiveness and ease of using tools like the FlipCam and YouTube, and we want the agents to see how they can implement this into their own businesses,” Fitzpatrick said. Realtors, who account for more than 70 percent of new-home sales in our communities, have enjoyed a lasting working relationship with us. “Realtors remain a strong partner for us, and we want to continue to be a strong partner for them,” he said. “A part of that relationship is offering Realtors the tools and support they need to successfully sell new homes in our communities.”
Posted on Jul 13, 2009 | Tagged in: events
Houston area citizens of Friendswood Development Company communities like those ranging from Lakes of Savannah to Graystone Hills can all come together in appreciation of the arts as the Houston Ballet's season continues. The 2009/2010 season calendar is available for viewing and purchasing tickets.
September: Manon
In September, mature ballet lovers can attend Manon, a "modern classic" romantic adventure about a Parisienne and her one true love.
September 10, 12, 13, 18-20
Through October: Without Boundaries
Without Boundaries showcases modern dance at its finest, with a world premiere of Elements, a piece written by two of the twentieth century's greatest choreographers. The show will also include Falling Angels, which features eight female dancers, and In the Upper Room, a balancing piece featuring classical motion with modern energy. Children as young as 5 are invited to join the family in this celebration of dance.
September 24, 26, 27
October 2-4
Posted on Jul 13, 2009 | Tagged in: Highland Homes , Fairfield
Highland Homes has joined Fairfield as the community’s newest builder. The award-winning builder known for its innovative luxury designs will offer two building programs in the northwest Houston master-planned community – an 80-foot home site program in the new Silver Lake neighborhood located behind the community’s third and newest elementary school; and a 70-foot home site program in Bluebonnet Glen. Highland Homes’ prices will start in the $400,000s in Silver Lake and the $260,000s in Bluebonnet Glen.
A model and grand opening is planned for early September, when Highland Homes will unveil its model E2 plan 988. Highland Homes’ distinctive designs are known for their intense attention to detail and appealing exteriors that feature brick, stone and wood accents, and beautifully appointed interiors that showcase designer light fixtures, wrought iron touches and luxury appointments.
Posted on Jul 13, 2009 | Tagged in: Specials & Offers , Lennar Homes
Lennar is making summer home buying a little bit more exciting with a special incentive that enables buyers to choose between three generous options when purchasing their new home.
For a limited time, Lennar is offering buyers th eopportunity to choose one of the following:
- $3,000 in closing costs paid by Lennar;
- A Rainbow Play System in their backyard, or
- A front load washer and dryer
A part of the summer promotion, “There’s No Place Like Lennar” the builder is offering this in all of its Houston area communities including master-planned communities by Friendswood Development Company and Trailwood Communities by Friendswood Development Company.
Friendswood Development Company master-planned communities that feature Lennar include Lakes of Savannah in the Pearland area, Graystone Hills in Conroe, Lakemont in west Houston, Oakhurst at Kingwood, and Fairfield in Cypress.
Lennar’s Trailwood Communities locations include: Clearview located just off the Gulf Freeway at Scarsdale, College Place located off Beamer in the Pearland area, Hidden Creek in Conroe, Oakcrest in Tomball, Walnut Creek in Rosenberg, Mt. Royal just minutes from I-45 north, Cypresswood Trails located of US 290 west of Fairfield, and The Trails at Bay Colony of I-45 south and FM 646, where a new model is now open.
Posted on Jul 13, 2009 | Tagged in: Lamar CISD , Lakemont , education
McNeill Elementary School Principal Ken Davis is the Texas 2009 Elementary Level National Distinguished Principal. McNeill Elementary School serves elementary school age children living in Lakemont.
Davis is described as an incredible role model who believes in every child, every day and although he is highly admired and respected by his students and colleagues, he was surprised with the recent announcement that was made before more than 2,300 educators at the Texas Elementary Principals & Supervisors Association’s (TEPSA) Summer Conference.
Davis received a check for $10,000, and will represent Texas at the National Distinguished Principals program held in Washington, D.C. in October.
Posted on Jul 13, 2009 | Tagged in: Village Builders , Specials & Offers
In many Friendswood Development Company communities, new-home buyers can take advantage of a special incentive that will add what many consider a very important feature to their new home. For a limited time, Village Builders is offering buyers a unique incentive: a free built-in natural gas generator in addition to free Design Studio options.
The offer applies to contracts written on homes until July 19, 2009 and homes must close by a specified contract date.
Now more than ever, a permanent standby generator has become a feature that many people have chosen to add to their home, often spending as much as $10,000. The natural gas generator is designed to power a home during a loss of electrical power, something many Houstonians experienced for weeks in the aftermath of hurricane Ike.
Posted on Jul 13, 2009 | Tagged in: West Ranch , honors , City of Friendswood
Friendswood, Texas has once again been recognized nationally as one of America’s best places to live. The new issue of
Money magazine cites America’s top 100 best small towns, which were judged by readers in terms of a solid job base, affordable housing, great schools, and area attractions.
Friendswood, home of the new master-planned West Ranch community, was ranked No. 32 on the magazine’s list of the top 100 Best Small Towns. The magazine cites, “Friendswood was founded by Quakers and remains dry, but that doesn't mean its residents don't know how to have fun. The community hosts frequent parades, summer concerts in Stevenson Park, and an opening ceremony for the baseball season. Residents can travel north to Houston, south to the Galveston beaches, or east to the Kemah boardwalk; all are less than an hour away.”
Posted on Jul 8, 2009 | Tagged in: Friendswood ISD , events , education
Congratulations are in due order for Friendswood High School! For the first time in the 12-year history of the award, Friendswood High has won the deserved Lone Star Cup for overall achievement in athletic and academic championships.
The championships include one-act plays, marching band and the state academic meet as well as various other athletic and academic performances, with points awarded based on state, regional and district finishes.
Friendswood HS is the first Class 4A school from the greater Houston area to win the Lone Star Cup, which recognizes high schools in all University Interscholastic League classifications based on their overall team achievements. Not only will Friendswood HS be able to showcase their very own Texas Cup Trophy, but the school will also receive a $1,000 scholarship presented by the Texas Dodge Dealers. In addition to the state academic championship, Friendswood HS also reached the state finals in girls soccer and the state semifinals in football and volleyball.
"We're thrilled," said Friendswood ISD Superintendent of Schools Trish Hanks. "We did win the (Class) 4A UIL academic state championship this year so that gave us some extra points and we had really good results with all of our athletic teams this year."
This year’s win by Friendswood ended rival school Highland Park’s string of six consecutive Lone Star Cup trophy wins in the Class 4A classification. That trophy now proudly resides in Friendswood’s spotlighted place of honor.
