Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 was extended through April 30, 2010. This tax credit of up to $8,000 is for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. The tax credit applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.

For sales occurring after November 6, 2009, the Act establishes income limits of $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for married couples filing joint returns. The income limits for sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers filing joint returns.

Click here for questions and answers that will provide basic information about the tax credit. If you have more specific questions, we strongly encourage you to consult a qualified tax advisor or legal professional about your unique situation.

If you qualify and would like to take advantage of the tax credit at a time when mortgage rates and home prices are low, contact us today. It's a fantastic time to buy a home in the Cumming, Alpharetta and Lake Lanier area. Visit our website at www.VanderhoffRealEstate.com and search all available listings in the area. We'd love to help you find your next home.

Labels: 2010, 8000, Alpharetta, april, cumming, federal, lake lanier, real estate, tax credit, vanderhoff

The seventh annual “Taste of Forsyth” will be held this Sunday, April 19th from 12 – 5pm at the Cumming Fairgrounds. All proceeds from the Taste of Forsyth will go to the building of the new Family Haven shelter that began construction in 2008.

The Taste of Forsyth is an outdoor food festival that includes local vendors, live entertainment and great fun for the whole family. Enjoy tasting the food of local restaurants, caterers, bakeries and ice cream shops while visiting the local art and craft vendors and exploring the business expo. There is something for everyone, you can even ride a pony or jump in a moonwalk at the kid’s corner.

The admission to the Cumming Fairgrounds is FREE with tickets being sold to purchase food items from each vendor. The tickets are priced at $0.50 ticket with nothing exceeding 6 tickets.

Forsyth County Family Haven, Inc. was incorporated in January 1989 to provide safe, temporary shelter, individual crisis support, and referral services for victims of violence. They are a nonprofit organization and a United Way of Forsyth County participating agency touching both Forsyth and North Fulton counties. Their services are offered free of charge to all victims of domestic violence. For more information visit www.family-haven.org.

If you have questions regarding the event, please contact Family Haven at 770-889-6384 ext. 116 or 678-787-2217.

Labels: 2009, april, cumming, Fairgrounds, family haven, taste of forsyth

The Alpharetta Arts Streetfest will take place from 10 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19, 2009 on Milton Avenue in the Alpharetta Historic District. Admission and parking are free to the public.

Festival-lovers and arts enthusiasts can look forward to two days of strolling through outdoor galleries filled with fine paintings, mixed media, photography, pottery and jewelry as well as textile, glass, wood, metal and paper art. The 104 artists to be featured in the 5th Alpharetta Arts Streetfest were selected by a jury comprised of art professionals from the Alpharetta community. Selected artists will be traveling to Alpharetta from Maryland, Ohio, Virginia and Texas, as well as some of our local artists in Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas.

The children’s area is Going Green! Children can create free fun art projects using recycled materials in the interactive “Art in Action” area presented by the Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department. City of Alpharetta Environmental Coordinator will show how to make your own Chia Pet from old socks and other environmental crafts in celebration of Earth Day. The Science Academy Mobile Lab will bring artistic and scientific activities, including George Washington Carver’s mixing pigments on linen and Isaac Newton’s white light color wheel.

The Annual Alpharetta Farmers Market will grow its first root at the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest located under the oak tree on Old Roswell Street. Come purchase local produce, herbs, honey and more. The Farmers Market will take place every Saturday from April to October from 8am to 12:30pm. For more information, go to www.alpharettafarmersmarket.com.

To kick off the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest, the Alpha Arts Guild with host Art Beyond Borders 2009 which is an annual event that partners local artists with local businesses. The event will showcase local artwork and this year is located in Alpharetta Historic District from April 10 to April 25. Working in cooperation with the City of Alpharetta, Art Beyond Borders will bookend the annual Alpharetta Arts Streetfest. For more information go to www.alphaartsguild.com.

Arts Streetfest will also include live jazz, roots rock, acoustical and Celtic music. Festival cuisine will include barbecue from Smokejack: A Southern Grill, Italian favorites from Carmine’s Restaurant & Pizzeria and additional street fare such as flavored coffees, Italian ice, fresh lemonade, ice cream, roasted nuts and various chocolate delights.

Alpharetta Arts Streetfest will take place on Milton Avenue between Main Street (SR 9) and Roswell-Canton Street in the Historic Downtown area. Free parking is available for festival-goers at City Hall, Milton Center (the old Milton High School) and City of Alpharetta downtown parking lots. Downtown shops and restaurants will offer specials and extended business hours during the festival.

For more event information or to catch a visual preview of the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest artists, visit www.alpharetta.ga.us.

Labels: 2009, Alpharetta, april, arts, georgia, Milton, streetfest

The 73rd Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival is back at Piedmont Park this weekend, April 17th - 19th, 2009. An Atlanta staple for more than 70 years, there is something for everyone at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. Virtually every kind of art imaginable is represented at the festival, with a nationally renowned-juried Fine Artist Market that includes sculpture, paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography and much more.

In addition to the fine art for adults and art collectors, there is a Kids Village featuring huge inflatables, arts & crafts and face painting for all ages, as well as the ever-popular 24-foot rock-climbing wall. It's a full weekend of arts, music, family, and fun at the Southeast's favorite springtime tradition.

Labels: 2009, april, atlanta, dogwood festival, events, piedmont park