I LOVE BEACH MUSIC!

With the sun and heat come a myriad of outdoor events in the Old North State. And to kick off the summer this May, we will be enjoying a cruise in with music and cars! Mark this date:

May 2, 2009 - Hot Nights and Hot Cars, Downtown Pilot Mountain, NC Cruise-Ins Featuring Beach Music and R&B. The Cruise-Ins will start at 4pm and last until 9:30pm. On May 2nd -Featuring music by The Part Time Party Time Band Antiques, Street Rods, Classic, Pro Street, Muscle Cars and Motorcycles Welcomed! Free Admission. Bring Lawn Chairs. For More information please call (336) 374-2353 or (336) 368-2527. Sponsored by Mt. Pilot Now.

If you're going to be in the area, join us and get to know why we love calling North Carolina home!

Yadkin Valley Wine Trail

One of the more exciting endeavors in our area of North Carolina has been the development of numerous vineyards and wineries. With the decline in tobacco production which provided vital revenue to the area, it became apparent that there would be an agricultural void that needed to be filled.

There were many people and organizations involved in creating a wine industry in North Carolina. With grants and college classes, monetary investments and labors of love, we now have many vineyards that are open to the public and a website that organizes that information. Some vineyards have their own restaurants and a few even offer musical entertainment on weekends.

Click HERE for the website and plan a visit this summer.

HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT

One of the key provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that President Obama signed into law earlier this year was the tax credit for homebuyers.

There is an $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers on the purchase of their principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009 and does not require repayment.

How does the credit work? The credit could be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser's income tax liability and the unused credit amount would be refunded as a check to the purchaser.

There are several options concerning the tax credit and IRS guidelines can be found HERE.

Realtor.org also has the answers to frequently asked questions HERE.

This article is only meant to provide available information concerning the tax credit. As with any legal matter, we strongly encourage you to consult a qualified tax advisor or legal professional about your own situation.