Quote for today -   The answer is simple: if you want something very badly, you can achieve it.  It may take patience, very hard work, a real struggle, and a long time, but it can and will be done. - Margo Jones

Real Estate Questions:

Would you qualify for a FHA Loan - Here are a few of the guidelines to see if you qualify.

• The borrower must meet standard FHA credit qualifications (there's no set credit score barometer, but a borrower's debt-to-income ratio is heavily considered).
  
• The borrower is able to finance the upfront mortgage insurance premium into the loan. The borrower will be responsible for paying an annual premium.
  
• The FHA mortgage requires a low 3.5-percent down payment, and that money can come from a variety of sources, including parent gifts and HUD downpayment assistance grants.
  
• Closing costs are also low - typically 3 percent of the total purchase price - and are usually covered by the seller in today's market. They can also be incorporated into monthly payments.
  
• Eligible properties are one-to-four unit structures, and each state has a purchase price limit (as high as $400,000) for FHA loans.
  
• If a buyer finds a fixer-upper, the FHA 203(k) program can help the person purchase or refinance the property, with the cost of repairs and improvements included in the loan.
  
• FHA home mortgages aren't just for first-time homebuyers. FHA refinance loans can help people get out of toxic debt situations caused by subprime mortgages with high interest rates.

Please call or email me with any other questions you may have about this type of loan.  Call 919.906.5794 or email Alice@AliceRay.com.

Wake Forest NEWS:

Wake Forest Farmers' Market
Saturday, Jan. 15; 10 am - Noon
Depot Parking Lot, 110 S. White St.
The first of our 2011 markets offering meats, eggs, baked breads granola, hand made soaps, arts and crafts. Save the dates, this year the Farmers Market will be open the first and third Saturdays in Febuary and March from 10 am to noon. On April 2, the Farmers Market will start back full-time. Due to harsh winter weather, the Wake Forest Crafters Market will restart with a grand opening April 16. For more information, visit www.wakeforestmarket.org or call (919) 556-2284.

Email Alice today for all your real estate needs:  Alice@AliceRay.com

 

Thought for today: 

You are here for a purpose.  There is not a duplicate of you in the whole wide world; there never has been, there never will be.  You were brought here now to fill a certain need.  Take time to consider what it might be.  -Lou Austin

Could Rising Mortgage Rates Spur Housing Rush?
Mortgage rates have been rising ever since Nov. 2010, when lows of 4.42 percent were reported. Bankrate.com recently reported a rise to 5.02 percent in 30-year fixed rate loans, which is the second time in three weeks rates have crossed the 5 percent mark. And with many experts signaling the end to the 4 percent mortgage rate era, some industry insiders predict the rise in mortgage rates may stimulate a sluggish housing market, creating urgency for potential buyers.

I personally had banks raising the interest rate this week on new homes with special deals.  It is a sign that the economy is improving.  These low never heard of interest rates in our life time may be ending.

 

UNC again is # 1 on Kiplinger's Best Value List   -  N. C. State 15th

UNC-Chapel Hill for the 10th year in a row has held the title of the best value in public higher education by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

N.C. State Universite #15th  --UNC-Wilmington #27 -- Appalachian State University #35

UNC Shool of the Arts #48  --  UNC-Asheville #58.

We should be very proud of the schools we have available for higher education.  Our education programs are a strong asset to our State and to our town. 

 

What is happening in Wake Forest?

Pancake & Sausage Breakfast
Sunday, Jan 9; 8 am - 1 pm
American Legion Hall, 225 E. Holding Ave.
American Legion Post 187 will hold a pancake and sausage breakfast on the second Sunday of each month at the Legion Hall, across from the Wake Forest Post Office. All-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, orange juice, and choice of hot beverage for only $5 per person/$20 max per family. Proceeds support community and veterans projects. For information call (919) 494-2707.

We want to salute our veterans every day.  Please help support the American Legion of Wake Forest and join them for breakfast on Sunday - Jan. 9th between 8am - 1 pm.

 

Call or email Alice Ray for all your real estate questions and any questions you may have about the Town of Wake Forest, N. C.  I grew up here and I can answer many of your questions on happenings and events in our town. Email alice@aliceray.com or call 919-906-5794.

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas from Wake Forest - If you live in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Garner, Apex, Rolesville, Wendell, Zebulon, Youngsville, Louisburg, Creedmoor, Henderson, Chapel Hill, Fuquay, Smithfield, or any surrounding town please join us in Wake Forest for our Historic Christmas tour of homes, churches and buildings this Saturday, December 4th, 2010 from 2p.m. - 8p.m.  Come walk the streets and enjoy Christmas in a small town.  Please email me at Alice@AliceRay.com with any questions about the tour.

Hello and welcome to Alice's Blog and welcome to Wake Forest, N.C. - We are one of Wake Counties growing towns that is bumper to bumper to Raleigh and Research Triangle.  We are small and special. 

I grew up here and remember Christmas in Wake Forest as something very special.  I remember going to see Santa Claus in town and thinking about all those gifts I was going to receive, as I gave him my wish list.

Wake Forest is having their Christmas tour of homes and other special places of interest the first week of December. Read below information from the town web site about the date of the tour:

HISTORIC HOME TOUR TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission and the Wake Forest Woman's Club will present their biennial Christmas Historic Home Tour on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.wakeforestnc.gov/marketplace.aspx for $12/each through Wednesday, Dec. 1. Tickets are also available at various locations in downtown Wake Forest, including town hall.  Tickets cost $15/each on the day of the tour. For more information, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/christmashometour.aspx.

 

The Wake Forest annual Christmas Parade will follow the Christmas tour on December 11th in downtown Wake Forest.  The Wake Forest town site tells of the time for the Christmas Parade as follows:

Wake Forest Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec 11-1 pm
Historic Downtown Wake Forest
Celebrate the holiday season at Wake Forest’s largest community event. Watch as community groups and businesses show their creative talents with floats, dancing elves, and sounds of the season. Of course, Santa will here! Hosted by the Wake Forest Downtown Revitalization Corporation. For more information, call (919) 570-1372 or visit www.wakeforestdowntown.com.

Fourth of July Fireworks Show

Trentini Staidum - Wake Forest High School

Friday, July 3, 2009 - Wake Forest, NC

 

It’s that time of the year again!  Time for the annual Wake Forest, NC Fireworks Show!  This is consistently one of the best fireworks displays in all of North Carolina.  I’m sure this year will be no different as the town is celebrating its centennial.  This years show will once again include the Band of Oz performing a fun mix of beach music that is always a hit.  You will also see Don Carrington's Parchute Team float down into the stadium from the sky which always a big hit with the kids. The night will be capped off with a 20 minute fireworks show that is always very impressive.

The Fourth of July weekend celebration continues on Saturday as kids line up for the annual Kid’s Parade on North Main Street in Wake Forest.  Kids can dress up and ride their decorated bike or ride in their wagon and be in their very own parade that will continue around to Holding Park.  Once at Holding Park their will be games and other activities.

The annual Fourth of July activities is just another reason why the town of Wake Forest is a great place to live. 

Here is a link to the town's website page that gives directions, parking map, parade map, and a more detailed description of the events!  Click here to visit the Town of Wake Forest's Fourth of July Page.

First Time Homebuyers

 What you need to know!

First off you have made a good first step by visiting our website.  In this blog we are going to try to give you all the information you want without requiring anything of you. No special meeting to attend, no phone  number, and no email address.  In the end we hope you have gained some knowledge and are ready to make that exciting step into homeownership! 

Here is a list of things we are going to cover:

                     1. First Time Buyer Tax Credit

                     2. Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

                     3. Choosing a Realtor to Represent You!

                     4. Searching for Homes

                     5. Making the offer!

                     6. Savings of Owning versus Renting

                     7. Give the Alice Ray Team a Call or Email! 

You can reach us at alice@aliceray.com or contact Alice directly at 919-906-5794!

Ready?  Let's get started! Click on any of the above topics to the specific blog on that section!

B.W. Wells Heritage Day - Saturday March 28th from 9am to 5pm Rain or Shine!

Homebuyer Tax Credit of $8,000!

 

            

 

The $787 billion stimulus bill that President Barack Obama signed into law Tuesday includes an $8,000 tax credit to first time homebuyers.  The good news about this credit is that it does not have to be repaid like the previous $7,500 tax credit required.   Here are a few points to remember about the tax credit:

 

1. The credit applies to first time homebuyers.  To qualify as a first time homebuyer you need to be someone who has not owned a primary residence in the past three years.  If you have owned an investment property but not a primary residence then you will still qualify. 

2. The credit only applies to first time homebuyers who purchase a home between January 1, 2009 and November 30th, 2009.  So, if you made a purchase as a first time homebuyer anytime so far this year you qualify to receive the credit!

3. There are income limits on who can receive the credit.  As a single buyer your modified adjusted gross income must be less than $75,000 and as a married couple the limit would be $150,000. People who make over these amounts may qualify to receive a partial credit.

4. In order to not have to repay the credit you must own your home for at least 3 years.

5. Even if you do not owe much in taxes you can still take advantage of the credit since you are able to receive it as a tax refund!

6. The tax credit is 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000. Therefore any home purchased over $80,000 will receive the full $8,000 tax credit.

I do not know of a time that has been better than now for a first time homebuyer to purchase their first home.  Even without this $8,000 tax credit the timing would still be perfect with the low interest rates available and low home prices.  Now with the $8000 tax credit it almost does not make sense not to purchase a home!

 

If you would like more information about the tax credit, mortgage options, and what homes are on the market please give us a call at 919-556-6459 or email us at alice@aliceray.com.  The Alice Ray Team has helped first time homebuyer’s for over 30 years purchase their new home and have the knowledge you need to make sure you make the best choice for you and/or your family.  Start your home search today in the Raleigh, Wake Forest, and surrounding areas by clicking here.

 

Are you a current homeowner in the Raleigh, Wake Forest, and surrounding areas who is wanting to take advantage of the low interest rates and low home prices?  Call us to provide you with a free Comparative Market Analysis on your home.  Now may be the perfect time to put your home on the market for a potential first time homebuyer to purchase and then you can move up and buy that bigger home!  Email Alice today at alice@aliceray.com or give us a call at 919-556-6459.

Tax Time

First Light Wake Forest 2009 Schedule of Events Join us at the first ever First Light Wake Forest scheduled to take place on December 31st, 2008 on South White Street in downtown Wake Forest. This is the town's new

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas to you and your family! Here are a few pictures of the RE/MAX Hometown float and the balloon basket that I was riding in the Wake Forest Christmas Parade.

Historic homes & buildings dressed out in holiday finery with the aroma of hot cider and unmistakable scents of evergreen for guests to enjoy. Guests traveling in style by horse-drawn carriages and festive Christmas carolers dressed in attire of yesteryear. I hope you did not miss the tour

The credit crunch has caught up with the Hasentree community in Wake Forest. SunTrust bank now holds the deed to all of the unsold land, golf course, and amenity buildings in the luxury Hasentree Golf Community located off of Hwy 98 in Wake Forest between Camp Kanata Road and Stony Hill Road.

What a great time of the year to own a home and live in Wake Forest!  The town is full of community events that will take place in the month of December.  Here is a list of events that you will not want to miss:

 

Lighting of Wake Forest – Free Event

Friday December 5th 7:00PM – 8:30PM

South White Street – Downtown Wake Forest

Join the community as Mayor Jones lights the town Christmas Tree, school groups will sing Christmas carols, and Santa will make his first appearance of the season!

 

Photos with Santa – Free Event

December 6^th & 13^th 10:00AM – 3:00PM

South White Street Gazebo – Downtown Wake Forest

Come have your picture taken with Santa.  Take photos with your own camera or WF DRC elves will be available to take photos for you with their digital camera and a photo disc will be provided at the Downtown CVS the following Monday.

 

Historic Home Tour

December 6^th 2:00PM – 8:00PM

Wake Forest Historic District

The Historic Home Tour in Wake Forest takes place every two years and is planned by the Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission and the Wake Forest Woman’s Club.  The tour will also have horse and carriage rides and carolers. The self guided tour takes place in the Wake Forest Historic District primarily around the Seminary Campus and North Main Street. You can purchase tickets in advance for $12 or for $15 on the day of the tour. For more information visit http://www.wakeforestnc.gov/christmashometour.aspx. Members of the Alice Ray Team will be out enjoying the tour so be on the look out for Alice, Pamela, & Susan and say hello if you see them!

 

Wake Forest Christmas Parade – Free Event

Saturday, December 13^th 1:00PM

Historic Downtown Wake Forest

Don’t miss the annual Wake Forest Christmas Parade.  The Parade will take place along South White Street, Wait Avenue and South Brooks Street in downtown Wake Forest.  Be on the lookout for the RE/MAX Hometown Float and the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Basket.  If it is a cold day you will enjoy the heat that the flame from the basket provides!  Please say hello and wave if you see us on the float!

 

First Light Wake Forest – Free Event

December 31^st 5:00PM – 12:30AM

Historic Downtown Wake Forest

Bring in the New Year with the first ever First Light Wake Forest. The Voltage Brothers will headline this inaugural event. A non-alcoholic celebration, First Light Wake Forest is sure to attract families, seniors, singles and anyone who is looking for an inexpensive, fun way to ring in the New Year.  Download a complete schedule of all the activities here: Complete Schedule

 

 

The Alice Ray Team looks forward to enjoying many of these upcoming events and we will try to post some pictures after the events we attend.  As always please remember us when you or your friends and family are thinking about buying or selling a home in the Wake Forest area!

 

The Alice Ray Team participates in the 2008 Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce Business Expo held at The Factory in Wake Forest.