Amira is celebrating a birthday this month, and we are proud to say that we are one year old and growing strong!

Looking back, it’s exciting to see how far Amira has come. Last year, builders Beazer Homes and Perry Homes were constructing their model homes. Potential homeowners flocked to Tomball eager to learn more about our home designs, amenities and future plans. Today we have seven open model homes, new neighborhoods and many happy homeowners.

Among our accomplishments this past year has been the transformation of the existing 7,000-square-foot event center and show barn into a state-of-the-art recreation center with a fitness room, yoga studio, children’s reading nook and meeting space. The courtyard has been converted into a resort-style pool, which flows into a secondary, freeform pool and children’s play area. There’s also 3,000 square feet of covered patio, a dog park, playground and event lawn.

Buyers have fallen in love with Amira. So much so that more than 225 homes have already been sold. Our first residents have helped build a community of family and friends for whom an active lifestyle — lived in a relaxed atmosphere, — is high on the list of life goals.

Adding icing to the top of the cake was the addition of more than 100 acres to our popular community as we attempt to satisfy buyer demand. That means the addition of 400 more homes priced up to the $400,000s and tons of new neighbors.

And that’s just our first year. Next year we will welcome new homes, new neighborhoods and new friends. Will you be one of them?

Texas state parks and national parks are slowly allowing overnight camping. Great news — if you can get a reservation.  But there’s no need to wait to enjoy the fun of sleeping under the stars. Your backyard is open, and you hold the only reservation.  With the right preparation, a backyard campout can be just as fun as camping in the woods. And you start with a big bonus — no long drive. Here are a few tips to make sure your campers are happy.

Do it right

No skimping on the gear — pretend you don’t have a house just a few feet away. Pull out the tent, the sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, flashlights and everything else you would normally take camping. The only reason you’re allowed to “cheat” and go inside is for a potty break. The one thing you don’t bring? Your laptop or phone (unless you set it aside for an emergency).

The yummy part

Cooking over a fire is an ingredient that is hard to replicate. It’s one of the reasons we love camping so much. So light up the grill — or better yet — put a grate over your fire pit. Cook burgers, steaks, hot dogs or whatever you typically prepare when camping. Pack up all necessary ingredients in a cooler — remember, you’re pretending the house isn’t there. Get a bag of marshmallows and sticks for roasting them. Add graham crackers and chocolate bars for s’mores. Buy popcorn that can be cooked over a fire. Make sure to ask the kids what they might want on their camp out. And put them to work so you’re cooking together.

Need a little culinary camping inspiration? Here are dozens of ideas for foil packets, cast-iron skillet dishes and more. https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g2444/campfire-recipes/

Staying active

Boredom has no place at a campsite — even if that campsite is your backyard. Part of your time pre-evening will be spent setting up camp, but after that, plan a few activities everyone might enjoy. Go on a bug hunt in the backyard. Find interesting leaves and do a nature rubbing by putting it on a flat surface, top it with a piece of paper and coloring over with a crayon. Pick flowers and/or leaves to press. Play horseshoes, ring toss or croquet. Toss a Frisbee. After dark, sit around the fire pit to roast marshmallows and tell stories or sing songs. No fire pit? Use a portable grill. Or ditch the “campfire” altogether and watch for shooting stars and see if you can spot constellations. Read a book by flashlight. Glow sticks are sure to be a hit, so stock up and get creative — Glow Stick Tic-Tac-Toe or Hopscotch perhaps? Here are some cute ideas. https://onelittleproject.com/glow-stick-ideas/

Whatever you decide, it’s sure to create special memories. Because camping isn’t really about where you pitch your tent. It’s about being together.

Amira just got a little bigger.

Specifically, Amira is now 113 acres larger, boosting our charming community to nearly 500 acres.  The additional acreage is located along the northern edge of Amira, which is just north of the Grand Parkway east of Mueschke Road. It means we’ll be able to welcome 400 more households to the community, which — at build-out — will be home to more than 1,500 families who will be able to enjoy Amira’s convenient location and generous amenity package.

Celebrating one year of home sales this month, Amira was formerly the site of a working ranch for Egyptian Arabian horses and an entertainment venue. The existing 7,000-square-foot event center has been renovated as a state-of-the-art recreation center with a fitness room, yoga studio, children’s reading nook and meeting space. The building is anchored by a resort-style pool flanked by 3,000 square feet of covered patio. Residents also enjoy a dog park, playground and open event lawn.

Buyers have responded enthusiastically to the community and array of floor plans offered by Beazer Homes and Perry Homes, with more than 225 homes sold in Amira so far. Pricing is from the $220,000s.

 

We are now several weeks into teaching our kids at home and will be doing so until the end of the school year. Now that the initial panic as subsided, some families have gotten into a groove. If that isn’t your family, don’t worry. Homeschooling can be a challenge but there are plenty of resources available. Here are a few tips:

Check With the Your School District

School districts are working hard to make sure parents have the resources they need to keep learning on track. Tomball ISD, which serves Amira families, has put together a list of resources to help parents and students. The district is even offering free Park-n-Learn WiFi Access to students who may not have it at home.

Unschool to Home School

By now you may have figured out that recreating school at home doesn’t work for your family. That’s okay. Keep your children doing the assignments their teachers give but look for opportunities to “unschool.” This informal schooling method allows children to direct their own learning through natural life experiences including play, household responsibilities, personal interests and curiosity, internships and work experience, travel, books, elective classes, family, mentors and social interaction.

Know Your Kid

Not all kids learn the same way so if you are having difficulties, the problem could be the way the material is presented. Some kids thrive in an online learning environment but for others, it’s hard. Some kids are auditory learners and some are visual. Young children tend to be very tactile. Figure out how your kid learns and plan accordingly.

Don’t Do School at Home

Throw out the school schedule. You don’t have the time, and kids don’t need a solid six hours of academic work. Shoot for two to four hours depending on the age of your child.

Life Happens, It’s Okay

Schedules, routines and checklists are all well and good, but life happens so it’s important to be flexible. Set aside time for doing the schoolwork your child’s teacher

sends but don’t stress if an urgent phone call or work meeting gets in the way. Learning can happen at any time.

Learn With Your Kids

It seems counterintuitive, but one of the best things you can do for your child is admit you don’t have all of the answers. Saying “I don’t know, but we can find out together,” models a positive attitude toward learning. No one can know everything, but everyone can spend some time doing research to figure out the answer.

Always Make Time to Read

Books open a million doorways. Set aside time to read together as a family. Read out loud to them or play an audiobook. This helps maintain vocabulary and reading comprehension. If your child becomes passionate about a topic found in a book, help him or her to research it further and create projects based on it.

Boredom is a Good Thing

A mistake many parents make is trying to keep their kids busy all of the time. Boredom is a good thing. Put away the video games and turn off the television then tell the kids to find something to do. Resist telling them what to do. It won’t be long before they start using their imaginations to create games, art projects and other activities on their own.

Stay Positive and Don’t Compare

The hardest part for any parent when it comes to at-home learning is staying positive. You are always going to second-guess yourself. That’s okay, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Also, don’t let social media influence you. Some kids are early learners and others are late bloomers, most fall somewhere in between. Pay attention to what your kids are learning and doing and don’t try to replicate what your friends’ children are doing.

Are there reasons to use a Realtor when purchasing a new-build home? Many, actually.  Benefits that range from helping you find the right community to helping you navigate complex paperwork.

Consider these advantages:

Which Community?

It is a Realtor’s job to know the advantages and disadvantages of living in a community or neighborhood. That can save you time since your Realtor will only show you model homes in a community that meets your needs when it comes to home prices, amenities, qualities of the schools your children will attend and ease of commuting to employment centers.

Who’s on Your Side?

A Realtor is on your side and has your best interests at heart. Additionally, Realtors will help you get the most value for the least amount of money and make the real estate transaction easy and frustration-free.

What Upgrades Should You Choose?

Choosing upgrades for your new home can be overwhelming. Real estate professionals know what home features today’s buyers are looking for in a home. They also know what improvements will increase the value of your home if you decide to sell it down the road.

Which Lender?

There are many financing options available to buyers and many lenders. It can be hard to know which is best for you — especially if you are a first-time homebuyer. Realtors are used to working with a variety of lenders and can recommend the best loan and mortgage broker for you.

What’s Negotiable?

You might think nothing is negotiable when purchasing a new build home, but that isn’t always the case. A good Realtor will know what is and what is not negotiable and — as you can imagine — it varies by builder. They also know about incentives a builder is offering that can save you money on closing costs or upgrades.

Do You Understand the Contract?

Real estate contracts are dense. A Realtor can help you understand all the nuances of the contract. They can answer questions about it. That way, you can go into the closing with confidence.  Builders are used to working with Realtors and are happy to do so because they want their homeowners to be happy. Ready to buy your dream home in Amira? Get a Realtor and prepare to make the move.