Yesterday, Partners in Building held a seminar and dinner in Katy to educate potential buyers about the build on your lot process.  Clients learned general information about the differences between building in a traditional neighborhood and on their own homesites, as well as the benefits of building a home through Partners in Building.  They were also able to see what goes behind the walls, learn about site costs, and different financing options.

The Austin division of Partners in Building is looking forward to a jam-packed August with special events lined up throughout the month.  On August 13th, we will be hosting a public seminar at the beautiful Oasis restaurant, overlooking Lake Travis.  Enjoy the sunset from 2

(AP)  New U.S. home sales rose by the largest amount in more than eight years last month, in another sign the housing market is finally bouncing back from the worst downturn in decades. The Commerce Department said Monday that sales rose 11 percent in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000, from an upwardly revised May rate of 346,000. It was the strongest sales pace since November 2008 and exceeded the forecasts of economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters, who expected a pace of 360,000 units. The last time sales rose so dramatically was in December 2000.

On August 1st through 9th, nearly 70 homes will be open for touring all over Houston and it's surrounding areas, in Houston's second annual Parade of Homes.

The Fort Bend ISD schools attended by students living in Telfair now have Exemplary or Recognized ratings from the Texas Education Agency, which just released its 2009 Accountability Ratings. Cornerstone Elementary, located onsite in Telfair, and Sartartia Middle School are both rated Exemplary, the highest of the four ratings assigned by the TEA, and one earned by only 25.8% of Texas public schools in 2009.

With three on-site elementaries, one on-site middle school and a high school set to open next year, Sienna Plantation in Missouri City earns an A+ on the education component of its master plan. The Johnson Development Corp.

Twelve of the 13 Katy ISD schools serving Cinco Ranch have earned the highest possible rating in the 2009 Accountability Ratings released by the Texas Education Agency. The 12 Cinco Ranch schools were all rated Exemplary, the highest of the four ratings assigned by the TEA, and one earned by only 25.8% of Texas public schools in 2009.

Nationally and locally, the housing market is showing signs of life and the northwest Houston community of Bridgeland is positively bustling with 35 homes sales recorded during July — the highest monthly total of the year and the second highest monthly total since the developmen

On Saturday, August 22nd local businesses and organizations will host the 2nd annual Steiner Summer Concert in the Park. The event will be held at Towne Square from 5:30 to 9 and feature the band Lost in Austin. There will be activities and entertainment for the entire family as well as food and non-alcoholic beverages for sale from area restaurants. You may also bring your own refreshments, but please no glass containers. Lawn chairs, blankets, umbrellas and anything else to provide shelter from the summer sun are encouraged.

Last Thursday, Partners in Building in Austin hosted a public seminar on the history of Partners in Building and our building process, at the beautiful Oasis overlooking Lake Travis.  The event was hugely successful, with every chair in the room filled. Special guests included Sean Hammond of Envoy Mortgage and Felicia Foster of Barron Custom Design. The food was fabulous, the view tremendous, and a terrific follow-up forum answered many pertinent questions for our future potential customers. Thank you to The Oasis for a wonderful evening!