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.