As the celebration gets closer, some of the questions lingering out there is, “What is there to do here in the mountains of Western North Carolina.?”

I’ve gathered a few events that may interest you this coming 4th of July..

Maggie Valley, NC   “Red, White and Boom in Maggie Valley“Maggie Valley will play host to its fourth annual fireworks festival, “Red, White & Boom!” from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. The event, hosted by The Town of Maggie Valley and the MV Chamber, is free, and includes an afternoon festival and a dazzling fireworks display launched over the festival grounds.

In addition to the fireworks, visitors will enjoy an afternoon full of live entertainment, crafts, kids’ inflatables, games, souvenirs & food. Scheduled performers include entertainers from Hoss Howard of Cherokee, which will take the stage around 7 p.m. The Hominy Valley Boys open at 5:15 p.m.

For more information contact the Maggie Valley Chamber 828.926.1686 or CLICK HERE to visit their website

Maggie Valley, NC   @ the Maggie Valley Club

3-4pm  Pool Games

4-7pm  BBQ, Music, Bocce & more!

$13 for Maggie Valley Club members; $14 for non-members; $7 for kids

for more info, contact the Maggie Valley Club (828) 926-1616

Maggie Valley, NC   Jude’s Coffee & Cremery

7-9pm  Ice Cream & Karaoke

Call (828) 944-0220

Lake Junaluska, NC

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Annual craft fair in Nanci Weldon Gym

• 11 a.m. — Independence Day Parade at Lambuth Inn

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Kid’s Area at Nanci Weldon Gym

• Noon — Barbecue lunch at Nanci Weldon Gym

• 7:30 p.m. — Junaluska Singers in Stuart Auditorium

• Dusk — fireworks display

Waynesville, NC “Stars and Stripes in Waynesville”The 19th Annual Stars and Stripes Celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 4, in downtown Waynesville. The event features sidewalk sales, live street entertainment, refreshments and family fun.

As part of the event, SARGE’s Animal Rescue will hold a pet adoption day on the courthouse lawn during the event. In addition, International Fare will dish out Mediterranean Food during the event.

Other entertainment is as follows:

• 11 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. — Fiddling Dills sisters and friends, near Gatekeepers

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Madison Horns, mini park at corner of Main and Depot Streets

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Karin Lyle and Friends, fiddle and dulcimer, Miller Street park area

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.— Poetry People with Michael and Scott, roving the streets of Waynesville.

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — The Hominy Valley Boys, parking lot between UBC and LN Davis

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Steve Whiddon, “Pianoman” at the Strand

• 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. — Uncle Sam, roving

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Grey Wolf Band near SunTrust Bank

• 1:30 p.m. — Haywood Community Band, courthouse lawn

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. —The Cruz’s, Miller street park

Please note: Main Street will not be closed, but the top of Miller Street will be closed due to pedestrian safety.

For more information contact 828.456.3517.

Cullowhee, NC (Western Carolina University) “Two patriotic shows at WCU”

Musical theatre students and faculty from Western Carolina University’s College of Fine and Performing Arts will perform a star-spangled variety show at two locations in Western North Carolina in advance of a Fourth of July concert at the Roanoke Island Festival Park.

The troupe, known as the WCU Catamount Starz, will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, on the lawn of A.K. Hinds University Center on the WCU campus and at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at Cashiers United Methodist Church. Both performances are free of charge.

The program, “What a Country: A Celebration of America,” features a selection of rock ‘n’ roll, pop, Broadway, patriotic and light classical song

and dance.

Cullowhee, NC  “Regional Art and Craft Show”

The 20th Annual “Summertime” Mountain Artisans Fine Art and Craft Shows will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4, and Sunday, July 5, at the Ramsey Center on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. The show will feature over 100 original artists and crafters. For more information, call 828.524.3405 or CLICK HERE to visit their website.

Franklin, NC   “Fireworks and Fun in Franklin”

The 4th of July Fireworks & Fun Day, sponsored by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, will be held beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4, at the Macon County Veterans Memorial Recreation Park just south of Franklin off U.S. 441. The celebration will conclude at dark with the largest fireworks display in the area.

There’s plenty of food and entertainment to be had by all. The fun gets underway at 9 a.m. with the annual 4th of July Horseshoe Tournament, located behind the Macon County Community Building. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $25 per team or $12.50 per individual.

Kids are sure to enjoy the Fun Land inflatable play area, featuring Euro-bungee, ladder golf, a 1/10 scale NASCAR remote-control race track and the infamous “Plunger Toss”. The “play all day” fun land bracelets are $15, individual tickets are $1.

There’s also an all-day music and entertainment lineup. Here’s the schedule:

• 1 p.m. — Frog Town 4

• 2 p.m. — Rye Holler Boys

• 3 p.m. — Dave Stewart

• 3:30 p.m. — Brian Sanders

• 4 p.m. — Touch of Class Band

• 4:45 p.m. — Eric Haggart

• 5:15 p.m. — C-Squarse

• 6 p.m. — Children’s Choir

• 7 p.m. — Sundown

• 8 p.m. — Raffle/Awards/Announcements/ Bulls Eye Bingo

• 8:15 p.m. — Presentation of Colors and Salute to Armed Forces

• 8:30 p.m. —Loose Cannons (Army Ground Forces Rock Band, Ft. McPherson, GA)

• 9:30 p.m. — Fireworks

Bryson City, NC   “Bryson City Freedom Fest”

The Bryson City July 4th Freedom Fest celebration kicks off at 9 a.m. with the Firecracker 5K race that takes runners on a scenic route up Deep Creek Road. Race begins at Riverfront Park.

An entertainment stage, food and craft vendors will set up on Main Street, Town Square and Everett Street, which will be closed to traffic from the town square to Mitchell Street. Specialty foods include BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers, shaved ice, funnel cakes and other desserts, candy apples, and kettle corn. At 1 p.m., compete in a Watermelon Eating Contest.

Dress up your pet for the “Strut Your Mutt” Pet Contest at 10:30 am at Riverfront Park, sponsored by PAWS. Categories include “Best Tail Wag” and “Looks Most Like Owner.”

Music is a main attraction from 10:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. The festival will top off with a fireworks show, launched from the top of airport hill.

The entertainment schedule is as follows:

• 10 a.m. — VFW Post 9281

• 10:30 a.m. — Grampas Music

• 11:30 a.m. — The Rye Holler Boys

• 1 p.m. — Watermelon Eating Contest

• 2 p.m. — Karaoke Block

• 3 p.m. —The Freight Hoppers

• 4 p.m. — The Elderly Brothers

• 5:30 p.m. — Blues Brothers, Neil Diamond, and Elvis Show

• 7:00 p.m. — Big House Radio

• 9:45 p.m. — The Star Spangled Banner

• 10 p.m. — Fireworks

For more information, contact the Swain County Chamber of Commerce at 828.488.3681.

Cashiers, NC “Cashiers Mountain Music Festival”

The Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the inaugural production of The Cashiers Mountain Music Festival benefiting the Cashiers Preservation Foundation, beginning at 11 a.m. and running until the start of the town’s annual fireworks display at dusk on Saturday, July 4, at the Village Green in the heart of Cashiers.

This all-day live music concert is loaded with bluegrass and mountain music and will feature such nationally recognized acts as The Isaacs, Lizzie Long & Friends, Sierra Hull and the High Windy Band; as well as regional acts including Rye Holler Boys, The Hims, Tucker’s Town, Mountain Faith and the Sweet Tater Band.

There will be plenty of concessions, so bring your chairs or blankets and enjoy the music in this beautiful mountain setting. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 ages 6 to 12 and children under 6 are free. No coolers, pets or firearms. Please call the Chamber at 828743.5191 or CLICK HERE for more information.

Many of the event information was gathered by Smoky Mountain News. CLICK HERE to visit their site.

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This looks pretty interesting.. for all you history buffs out there, this tour will cover 2 historic homes, 2 chapels, 3 cemetaries, a 100 year old heritage farm, mercantile, a masonic temple & Haywood County’s oldest log cabin… The first tour was earlier today & tonite from 5-8:30pm there’s going to be music, dancers, story telling.. It’s $5 at the door, but if you have a ticket from earlier today, you’re in… 

There is another tour tomorrow, where you’ll be able to tour 4 sites with guides from noon-5pm…  you should plan on about 3-4 hours for this tour..  You can purchase your tickets at our office tomorrow.. we’re open from 1-4pm..

For additional information, CLICK HERE.

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Folkmoot USA is an international festival that visits Western NC,Waynesville, NC to be more specific, each year bringing dancers & muscians from many different countries.  According to the Folkmoot brochure, over 350 dancers & musicians get to perform & enjoy our great weather here in the mountains, as we get to learn more about their customs.  Last year, we had the privilege of enjoying the Folkmoot Parade which takes place in Downtown Waynesville & this year’s parade is scheduled July 17th @ 1pm.  I recall the Frenchmen walking tall in their stilts & the Chinese drumming away as they stroll past us.  It was hot, but a great delight to be able to witness all the festivities.  After the parade, all the groups gather for a mini performance in front of the old courthouse steps & the energy & excitement spreads quickly throughout the spectators.  I especially remember my son’s balloon flying up into a tree & the Frenchmen on stilts trying to recover it for him.  The balloon was never recovered because it was too high, but my son did end up getting a bigger balloon from a spectator who felt bad for his loss..

This year’s invitations include…

 SPAIN, GREECE, SERBIA, KENYA, ROMANIA, ISRAEL, INDIA, MEXICO & the NETHERLANDS

For more info, CLICK HERE to visit their website  

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On Saturday, June 20 the Natural Resources Management Department of Haywood Community College, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, the Town of Maggie Valley and Haywood Waterways Association are sponsoring a CATCH youth fishing clinic during the

20^th Annual Great Smoky Mountain Trout Festival.  This year there will be two CATCH Clinics at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. The morning clinic will be held from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and requires pre-registration.  An afternoon clinic with on-site registration will begin promptly at 1:00 PM.

The CATCH (Caring For Aquatics Through Conservation Habits) program is designed to teach young people “how”, “when”, and “where” to fish as well as to introduce lessons in aquatic ecology, water safety, fishing ethics, and respect for the outdoors. Many youngsters in our community have never had a chance to learn how to fish or to explore aquatic habitats.  CATCH provides this environmental education opportunity.

The CATCH Clinic is open to youth between the ages of 6 and 15.  Necessary equipment will be furnished.  A parent or guardian must register and attend with the youth.

PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THE MORNING CATCH CLINIC IS REQUIRED.  The numbers of participants will be limited. To register, call Jenny Carver (828) 627-4560, Haywood Community College, Natural Resources Management Department, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Join the fun!  Get hooked on fishing!

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WASHINGTON, May 29, 2009

Consumers across the country can now take advantage of a Federal Housing Administration program to allow qualified home buyers to apply the $8,000 tax credit when purchasing a home. FHA will now permit its lenders to provide a short-term bridge loan that will let qualified home buyers use the tax credit to either make a larger downpayment above the FHA required 3.5 percent, cover closing costs, or buy down their interest rate.

“A true housing recovery depends on buyers returning to the market and reducing inventory,” said National Association of Realtors^® President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. “Since many of the homes available are lower priced starter homes, the ability for individuals to use the tax credit at closing should have a meaningful impact on home sales and values and will allow thousands of families to achieve the dream of homeownership.”

Shaun Donovan, secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, announced the change today. In an address to several thousand Realtors^® gathered two weeks ago at NAR’s Real Estate Summit: Advancing the U.S. Economy, Donovan announced HUD’s plan to offer the tax credit as downpayment assistance. Donovan detailed the modifications to that original proposal and announcement.

“We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans,” Donovan said. According to Donovan, the FHA’s approved lenders will be permitted to “monetize” the tax credit through short-term bridge loans allowing eligible home buyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table.

NAR has supported monetization of the tax credit, which was part of an Obama administration housing stimulus plan enacted earlier in the year. NAR petitioned HUD to allow home buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit to help them cover downpayment or closing costs to bring new home buyers to the market and stimulate home sales.

“We think this is a good program; our members have been getting many inquiries from potential buyers about it,” McMillan said. “NAR is pleased that this enhancement has been made to the administration’s housing recovery program. As we have heard before, there can be no economic recovery without a housing recovery. With an abundance of inventory, reduced home prices, historically low interest rates and now the availability of the tax credit at closing, we expect to see the housing market further stabilize and improve.”

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2009

Existing-home sales rose in April with strong buyer activity in lower price ranges, according to the National Association of Realtors^®.

Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – increased 2.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate¹ of 4.68 million units in April from a downwardly revised pace of 4.55 million units in March, but were 3.5 percent below the 4.85 million-unit level in April 2008.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said first-time buyers continue to influence the market but there also is a seasonal rise of repeat buyers. “Most of the sales are taking place in lower price ranges and activity is beginning to pick up in the midprice ranges, but high-end home sales remain sluggish,” he said. “The Federal Reserve needs to help restore liquidity for the jumbo mortgage market by buying these loans under the TALF program.”

“Because foreclosed properties will likely be released into the market over the rest of year, it is critical that distressed homes be quickly cleared from the market,” Yun said. “Fortunately, home buyers are being attracted to deeply discounted prices and are bidding up many foreclosed listings, particularly in California, Nevada, and Florida – this will set the stage for healthy market conditions going forward.”

An NAR practitioner survey in April showed first-time buyers declined to 40 percent of transactions, implying more repeat buyers are entering the traditional spring home-buying season. It also showed the number of buyers looking at homes has increased 14 percentage points from a year ago. “This is consistent with our forecast for home sales in the latter part of the year to be 10 to 20 percent higher than the second half of 2008,” Yun said.

The national median existing-home price² for all housing types was $170,200 in April, which is 15.4 percent below 2008. Distressed properties, which accounted for 45 percent of all sales in April, continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes.

NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth, said conditions are optimal for buyers with good jobs and long-term plans. “We have record low mortgage interest rates, a wide selection of homes and affordable prices in most areas,” he said. “When you add the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit, it’s hard to imagine a better time to make an investment in your future through homeownership.”

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to a record low 4.81 percent in April from 5.00 percent in March; the rate was 5.92 percent in April 2008; data collection began in 1971.

Total housing inventory at the end of April rose 8.8 percent to 3.97 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 10.2.-month supply³ at the current sales pace, compared with a 9.6-month supply in March. “The gain in inventory is largely seasonal from sellers entering the spring market. Even with the rise, inventory over the past few months has remained consistently lower in comparison with a year earlier,” Yun noted.

Single-family home sales rose 2.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.18 million in April from a level of 4.08 million in March, but are 2.8 percent below the 4.30 million-unit pace in March 2008. The median existing single-family home price was $169,800 in April, which is 14.9 percent below a year ago.

Existing condominium and co-op sales increased 6.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 500,000 units in April from 470,000 in March, but are 9.4 percent lower than the 552,000-unit pace a year ago. The median existing condo price⁴ was $173,900 in April, down 18.5 percent from April 2008.

Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast jumped 11.6 percent to an annual pace of 770,000 in April, but are 10.5 percent below April 2008. The median price in the Northeast was $237,400, which is 9.6 percent lower than a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the Midwest slipped 2.0 percent in April to a level of 1.00 million and are 9.9 percent lower than a year ago. The median price in the Midwest was $138,800, down 11.7 percent from April 2008.

In the South, existing-home sales increased 1.8 percent to an annual pace of 1.74 million in April but are 8.9 percent lower than April 2008. The median price in the South was $148,000, which is 12.8 percent below a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the West rose 3.5 percent to an annual rate of 1.17 million in April and are 19.4 percent higher than a year ago. The median price in the West was $222,600, down 21.8 percent from April 2008.

WASHINGTON, June 02, 2009

Record low mortgage interest rates boosted pending home sales for the third consecutive month, with some benefit now from the first-time buyer tax credit, according to the National Association of Realtors^®.

The Pending Home Sales Index,¹ a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in April, rose 6.7 percent to 90.3 from a reading of 84.6 in March, and is 3.2 percent above April 2008 when it was 87.5.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said buyers are responding to very favorable market conditions. “Housing affordability conditions have been at historic highs, but now the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit is beginning to impact the market,” he said. “Since first-time buyers must finalize their purchase by November 30 to get the credit, we expect greater activity in the months ahead, and that should spark more sales by repeat buyers.”

The Pending Home Sales Index in the Northeast shot up 32.6 percent to 78.9 in April and is 0.8 percent above a year ago. In the Midwest the index rose 9.8 percent to 90.4 and is 11.1 percent above April 2008. The index in the South slipped 0.2 percent to 93.0 in April but is 3.5 percent higher than a year ago. In the West the index rose 1.8 percent to 94.8 but is 2.9 percent below April 2008.

NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth, said there are numerous buyer assistance programs around the country. “Some states are offering bridge loans that allow first-time buyers to use the tax credit for downpayment and closing costs, but there are many other local government and nonprofit programs available to buyers, depending on location,” he said.

“Just last week, HUD announced that qualifying buyers can use the tax credit for closing costs on FHA loans, to buy down the interest rate or make a larger downpayment. Buyers who are wondering about their options should contact a Realtor^®, who can advise consumers on the housing assistance programs and resources available in a given area.”

NAR’s Housing Affordability Index² is in record territory. The affordability index rose to 174.8 in April from an upwardly revised 171.9 in March, and was the second highest monthly reading on record after peaking at 176.9 in January of this year. The HAI is a broad measure of housing affordability using consistent values and assumptions over time, which examines the relationship between home prices, mortgage interest rates and family income; tracking began in 1970.

A median-income family, earning $60,900, could afford a home costing $296,800 in April with a 20 percent downpayment, assuming 25 percent of gross income is devoted to mortgage principal and interest. Affordability conditions for first-time buyers with the same income and small downpayments are roughly 80 percent of that amount. The affordable price was well above the median existing single-family home price in April, which was $169,800.

Yun cautions that the reporting sample for pending home sales is smaller than that of existing-home sales, so it is subject to greater variability. “In addition, the relationship between contracts on pending home sales and closings on existing-home sales is taking longer than in the past for several reasons,” he said. “Mortgage processing time has increased, it is taking many months to close on those homes requiring short sales with lender approval, and some sales are falling through at the last moment.”

The total number of existing-home sales is expected to improve but with dramatic local market variation in the timing of recovery. “The market has already bottomed in some areas, but this is an unusual housing cycle with some areas improving rapidly while others languish or decline,” Yun said.

Report after report is giving me more and more evidence of my prediction/theory that the real estate market has bottomed.  We continue to hear reports from the “boots on the ground” in heavily hit Florida markets that sales are increasing. It did not take a rocket scientist to know that the lower end market would be the first to recover. Investors have come into many markets buying up the short sales and bank owned properties. By no means are we out of the woods yet, but for the first time in a long time I am nervous that my clients will not get the house they want if they do not act quickly.

For the past 18 months there was no sense of urgency. That seems to have changed. We are not even close to a sellers market, but we are working that way. Once the lower end items are snapped up the masses will realize that the market is heating up again and will want to get a “deal” while they can. I will be the first to say they better hurry up in some markets. It is funny how most will not get into the market until everyone is in and the best deals are gone.

Home prices continue to fall which makes it even more exciting for a good rebound into next year. If only the interest rates would get below 5% again we would be golden! Why are you still reading this? Go buy some property!