From Allen- Star Local News: Neighbors driving by tend to slow down when they reach Jace Horton’s yard. It’s hard not to. With creatures pouring out of the windows, hiding under trees, popping out of bushes and pushing up out of the ground, the fantasy land looks like a nightmare mashup. Horton takes his sons, ages 4 and 6, to the Halloween store every year where they start with picking out a mask. The rest of the lifesize characters are constructed with a PVC pipe frame as a foundation. The guys work together over the next few days ...

In support of the upcoming Tom Thumb Texas Stampede, a heard of cattle traveled from Allen Station Parkway to the Allen Event Center. The Texas Stampede is a nonprofit organization and event that benefits children’s organizations with its yearly rodeo events. The event will feature several top country music performers including Dierks Bentley and Montgomery Gentry. There will also be the traditional festival activities, carnival, rodeo shows, and more. The stampede kicks off this year on November 11th in Allen at The Village of ...

You see pumpkins everywhere this time of year. If you have never tried pumpkin bread from a fresh pumpkin, then you should try this recipe. It is very simple and will take no more than a half hour of your time (plus baking time of 1 hour). And as an added bonus, your entire home will smell of fresh baked pumpkin for days to come. Fresh Pumpkin Bread 1 cup butter or margarine, softened 3 cups sugar 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 ...

As Halloween approaches, this week we will have a little Halloween Fun every day. From Autumn attractions in the area to Urban Legends of DFW. Right now at the Dallas Arboretum there is "Autumn at the Arboretum". Thousands of pumpkins of all types! "Don’t miss the Storybook Pumpkin Village, the only pumpkin village in the world, with four walk-through houses made completely out of pumpkins." Each of the pumpkin houses is themed around a children's story book. Even in the 80 degree weather, it feels like a classic fall day. ...

Halloween is almost here. Here are a few tips to keep your day fun and safe! Wear Comfortable shoes Carry a flashlight Wear something with a reflector or reflector tape on it. Go out before dark Do not pet strange animals. Costumes may be irritating or confusing for the animals. Check all of the candy before eating it. You are looking for: Old worn or torn wrappers Homemade treats Unwrapped treats Toys with small parts that may be a choking hazard. Janus Real Estate Group * Heather Anderson * 972-765-3773

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness, the Melissa Branch of 1st National Bank of Trenton is hosting a Trick-Or-Treating Event on October 29th, giving the kids a safe place to go Trick-Or-Treating. The employees will also be in costume on October 29th. Janus Real Estate Group * Heather Anderson * 972-765-3773

Jennifer started her real estate career in 1994 in the apartment rental business. She has since worked many years in a corporate sales position, assisting customers with many types of needs. She has recently returned to real estate with her license and is excited about once again assisting Buyers buy a home and Sellers Sell a home. Jennifer focuses on listing and buying, and mainly in the Frisco, Plano, and North Dallas areas, but is willing to help in others. She loves to help others and specializes in problem solving. Jennifer ...

Frisco is hosting a Frisco Fun Run on October 30 to benefit the Frisco Education Foundation. The Frisco Education Foundation builds scholarship opportunities for Frisco ISD students, including the Gary Burns Memorial Scholarship Fund. For more information and to register, follow this link: Frisco Fun Run Brochure Janus Real Estate Group * Heather Anderson * 972-765-3773

Monitor energy use - You can pick up a Plug Load Meter from your local hardware store to plug into an outlet that you use, it will display the amount of energy being used at that plug. Install dimmer switches Add a motion sensor Set a programmable thermostat Buy an insulating blanket for your hot water heater Install an Energy Star Rated Ceiling Fan Install weather stripping around windows and doors to seal in heat and keep out cold (and vice versa) Replace the aerator on kitchen and bathroom sink faucets - This will reduce the ...

Aletha Kruse has several years experience in the sales industry. She worked for new home builders from 2006 - 2009, during which she was a multi-million dollar producer. Aletha received her TX Real Estate License in 2009 and has been managing over 40 properties as well as helping customers in the McKinney, Prosper, Frisco areas with buying and selling their homes. Aletha's key to success is her attention to detail as well as top notch customer service, traits that she believes started when she served her country as part of the ...

Pre foreclosures are known as properties that have reached the final stages before they get repossessed or taken back by the bank. The owner is still in complete control of the property or home, although the bank or lender will repossess the home if the owner doesn’t attempt to rectify the situation. The best thing about pre foreclosures is the prices that are associated with them. In most cases, the owner has no choice but to sell the house, and therefore will consider all reasonable offers received. This is an ideal time to purchase, ...

Opponents of a six-lane bridge over Lavon Lake celebrated Monday when the Collin County Commissioners Court voted to kill the $400 million project. "I am absolutely thrilled," said Kay Nordby, who led the opposition. She and about 30 other people spoke out against the bridge at the third public hearing on the project in the past year. They said the bridge, intended to ease east-west travel, would displace families and disrupt the serenity of the lake. Commissioners voted 3-1 to remove the bridge over the lake's southern tip from the ...

There will be a new program in place by the end of the year to help current homeowners with their mortgage payments if they are 3 or more months behind. Following are the guidelines that have been released: No-interest government loan for up to $50,000 to pay your mortgage and cover your arrears. The loan can offer assistance for up to two years, which will be forgiven if the homeowner stays in the house for five years. Must be at least 3 months behind on mortgage payments Had a 15% drop in income but previously able to ...

When it comes to real estate, it’s really hard to beat a cheap home. Although you can find cheap homes, some will obviously be better than others. Some are in great neighborhoods, giving you plenty to see and plenty to do all around you. On the other hand, most towns that offer the cheapest homes normally have a bad situation when it comes to the job market. Keep in mind that buying cheap homes doesn’t necessarily mean buying a run down place or buying your home in a bad part of town. You can get a cheap home in a great neighborhood, if y ...

Several banks have halted foreclosures on homes in 23 states this week as the foreclosure process in being investigaged for its accuracy and thoroughness. Bank of America, JPMorgan, and Ally Financial have decided to place a hold on all foreclosures currently in review to ensure that they are not being "robo-signed". This term was coined as the banks confirmed that some "employees had signed off on foreclosure affidavits without verifying that the legal documents were accurate, in a process that has become known as "robo-signing". ...

We strive to provide you with the best of professionalism and resources. Each week we will spotlight one of our top agents that can assist you in your real estate needs: from buying your first home to selling an investment property. After living in West Texas for 10 years, Hector Cardenas moved to Allen TX in 1995. He worked for a major semiconductor company for 20+ years. In 2002 obtained a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University. He became a realtor in 2009. He is dedicated to taking care o ...

Home loans make the process of buying a new home more affordable than ever. When buying a home, you should understand as much as you can about the process, as well as the questions you will be answering. This way, you’ll be familiar with how things work and you’ll find the entire process to go much smoother. First and foremost, make sure you understand your interest rate. They are never the same and will vary among the different financial institutions, and time to time. In many cases, home loans can change on a frequent basis, with little t ...

Congratulations to the Allen Eagles Football team. They are now 5-0. This Friday evening is the Homecoming Game. Come out and help Allen celebrate! Friday, October 8th - Versus Plano East - 7:30 PM Janus Real Estate Group * Heather Anderson * 972-765-3773