Janus Real Estate Group - Broker/Realtor - Allen, Frisco, Plano

For those of you that have furry little family members, let me tell you about a great kennel located in Frisco near Main and Teel. A couple of weeks ago I traveled to the East Coast for about 4-5 days. I had recently adopted a two month old shepherd mix from the SPCA and needed somewhere and someone to take care of him. Since he wasn't housed trained yet, I wasn't able to drop him off at the parents or at a close friends. Fortunately I found McKee's located just minutes from my Heather Ridge Estates community. Everyone was extremely nice and very professional. I had no regrets or worries leaving my new buddy because I felt that he was going to be in good hands. It was like I was dropping him off at the Hyatt for puppies. At McKee's they provide several options for your pet. They have three dog suite options, two different indoor runs, cat suites and cottages, and for those busy professionals that work long hours a doggy daycare.

Overall it was a great experience with McKee's and I would suggest checking them out the next time you need to board your furry loved one(s). It's located on Main behind the car wash on Kyser Way. For those of you living in Heather Ridge Estates or any of the communities near Main and Teel, check out McKee's at www.mckeespetplace.com.

To check out Heather Ridge Estates or any of the Frisco communities near by, visit www.janusREgroup.com.

Content and photos by Janus Real Estate Group. All rights reserved. Copyright 2008.

Legacy and Lebanon is simply one of the best areas of Frisco! The Lakes on Legacy community is located just north of 121 on Legacy, amongst many of the recognized neighborhoods of Stonebriar. This community offers several different pricing options for future homeowners looking to live in the more established and more mature part of West Frisco. Properties start around $250's and venture up to $1M+. There are three distinct parts of Lakes on Legacy: (1) patio homes with zero lot lines in the gated portion called The Villas surrounding the smaller lake; (2) large estate style luxury homes in the other gated portion surrounding the bigger lake; (3) the more established homes outside the gated areas.

The community provides a feel of upper-class without the expensive price tag. The Lakes of Legacy is perfect for those that enjoy taking walks with the kids and family or those that like to put the running shoes on and get a couple of miles in before the day starts. The community is beautifully landscaped and provides a variety of small hills and nice scenic views of the lake and unique custom homes that surround it.

As an added bonus for living in the Lakes on Legacy, a portion of the HOA pays for membership to the Lakes Tennis Academy across the street. The Lakes Tennis Academy provides lessons for all ages and groups. In addition to tennis, the Lakes Tennis Academy offers swimming, fitness programs, daycare, and summer camps. If it's food that you enjoy, then you're in luck. The Lakes are located within 10 minutes of all the great restaurants located in Frisco and North Plano. The Shops of Legacy and Stonebriar Mall offer an atmosphere for a nice romantic dinner or just simply a nice night out with the family. Mexican, Sushi, Italian, French, etc. It's all your fingertips and just minutes away! CLICK HERE for current listings at Lakes on Legacy.

Content and photos by Janus Real Estate Group. All rights reserved. Copyright 2008.

It has been 17 years since Congressman Sam Johnson (R-Richardson) and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) have been pushing for a new courthouse in Plano. It took multiple tries to pass through the House and then the U.S. Senate. Finally in 2003, President George W. Bush signed the measure into law. On March 12, 2007 ground was broken at 7490 Preston Road, just north of the new Children's Medical Center and down the street from the Stonebriar Mall in Frisco. The 74,000 square feet building cost an estimated $17M to complete. The Federal government signed a 15-year lease on the building at an estimated $185,000 per month for rent.

Before the Plano federal courthouse was built, Collin County residents had to drive to the Eastern District courthouses in Sherman or Tyler to handle their federal legal matters, making the Eastern District the largest federal district in the country without a courthouse at the time. This long overdue courthouse will serve the growing population of 800,000+ people in Collin and Denton counties, allowing the Eastern District to split cases between Plano and Sherman. The Eastern District is comprised of courts in six eastern Texas cities, with Plano being the seventh.

On August 18, 2008, the Plano federal courthouse officially opened and court sessions commenced. Eastern District court veteran Judge Richard Schell will serve as the head judge. A new FBI office will be opening just one mile north of the courthouse, making the decade long process appear seamless.

Content and photos by Janus Real Estate Group. All rights reserved. Copyright 2008.

The Census Bureau released its annual report on income and poverty on Tuesday, showing that Plano, TX is the most affluent amongst cities with populations of 250,000 or more. It had the highest median household income of $84,492, up 10% from 2006, and the lowest poverty rate. San Jose came in second with a median income of only $76,963.

I grew up in a neighboring city to San Jose, CA so I have first hand experience of the difference in lifestyle between the No. 1 and 2 cities. San Jose and its neighboring suburbs are great cities, with plenty of places to go and things to do. San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Alcatraz are only an hour drive up the peninsula. Lake Tahoe’s beautiful blue shores in the summer or snow-covered peaks in the winter are only 3 hours North. The Santa Cruz beach boardwalk or Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row are only an hour South. If you feel like relaxing for a weekend, Napa’s rolling hills and vineyards with award winning wineries and Bed & Breakfast resorts will do the trick. In addition, San Jose is the hub for Silicon Valley’s brightest minds and start-ups during the dot-com boom. Jobs and opportunities brought lots of talent into the area. In addition, the Bay Area has one of the most diverse populations in the country with plenty of multi-cultural foods and restaurants. However, like any place in CA, its great only if you were able to establish yourself before the real estate got ridiculously expensive. I can still remember when an average home was in the mid $300’s in 2001. This is affordable considering the 1% property tax rates in CA. However, prices spiked after 2001 with average home prices hovering in the high $600’s. Unlike Texas, property taxes in CA are not the major source of income for schools. And even if it is, the 1% property taxes (assessed at time of purchase) are hardly enough to adequately provide for the schools since the taxes are frozen and are not reassessed every year based on market price. Schools are understaffed and under funded, with 30+ class sizes, inadequate school material, and canceled educational programs. School districts that are considered “good” are not easily affordable by the average household because home cost $1M+ around those areas. Some people opt to put their kids into private schools, paying over $1,000 per month per child. Despite the plentiful things to do and beautiful surroundings, the high cost of living makes it hard to enjoy life because people are busy chasing the next dollar to pay for their mortgages and kid’s education.

“Plano, TX” on the other hand, isn’t nationally recognized like San Francisco or even San Jose, and doesn’t have Napa, Santa Cruz, or Lake Tahoe. However, it does have affordable cost of living, great schools, and a great lifestyle. With the average median price of homes in the $225’s, most residents are able to own a home and afford a higher quality of life. In addition to the affordable real estate, neighborhoods are focused around children and family with tight communities and friendly neighbors. The school systems such as Plano ISD, Frisco ISD, Allen ISD and surrounding areas are top notch with a multitude of local and national recognition and awards. Small class sizes and ample teachers and staff provide a much better education for children. There are plenty of jobs for residents, with Plano being home to corporate headquarters such as Frito-Lay, JC Penney, EDS, and Perot Systems. Fortune Magazine reports twenty-two Forbes 500 companies are headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth area including Exxon, J.C. Penney, EDS, Kimberly-Clark, Texas Instruments, Tandy, and CompUSA. From a macroscopic level, the Texas economy is a bustling epicenter of growth. In 2008, Texas surpassed New York as home to the most Fortune 500 companies in the latest list compiled by Fortune magazine. The Lone Star now boasts 58 headquarters, three more than New York, the previous No.1, and California, with 52. Texas ranked No. 2 overall in the nation for Best States for Businesses in 2007 by CNBC.

So, while San Jose may have better weather and more things to do locally, I am convinced that living in Plano or surrounding suburbs is worth it. You have better schools for your kids, no state income tax so you take home more, lower mortgages, better communities, and a better quality of life. With all the wealth you are building by living in Plano (according to study by CNNMoney), you can visit San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, or Napa anytime you want, and still have plenty left over to enjoy life!

Content by Janus Real Estate Group. All rights reserved. Copyright 2008.

Cottonwood Creek Courtyard Homes and Cottonwood Creek Townhomes is nestled along the rows of trees lining Cottonwood Creek in West Allen. Both the townhomes and courtyard homes offer a low maintenance lifestyle for young professionals, empty nesters, or small families. The new townhomes being built will utilize the latest “green” energy efficient technologies such as cocoon insulation, low E vinyl windows, and tech shield in the roof. The six different floorplans range from 1,600 sq.ft. to over 1,900 sq.ft. and start in the low $170’s. Ryland is the only builder that offers “courtyard” homes, which some builders also refer to as zero-lot lines. These courtyard homes are smaller than the traditional detached houses you would find in a North Dallas subdivision. Cottonwood Creek offers 9 floorplans ranging from 1,800 sq.ft. to about 2,300 sq.ft. and prices start in the low $200’s. This is an affordable alternative for families looking to downsize and stay in the Allen ISD. These courtyard homes are a hybrid between townhomes and regular single family homes, with the HOA maintaining the front yard every week. The two communities share an amenity center with cabana, community pool, recreational equipment, and walking/biking trails along Cottonwood Creek. The neighborhood is located minutes from major thoroughfares like 75 and 121. Down the street, you will find great shopping at the Allen Premium Outlets. Opening in the fall of 2008, the Village of Allen will be home to Best Buy, Homegoods, Olive Garden, Uncle Julio’s and much more. Shortly after, the Village of Fairview will unveil specialty retailers such as Dilliards, Macy’s, Barnes & Nobles, The Container Store, and a Gold Class Cinema in the spring of 2009. Community amenities include a park, playground, and walking trails. Children attend the highly acclaimed Allen ISD. CLICK HERE for homes in Cottonwood Creek.

Content and photos by Janus Real Estate Group. All rights reserved. Copyright 2008.