Alford Realty Group

Real estate information, helping buyers and sellers in the Lake Norman area with their real estate plans

Lisa Alford

704-408-2834
Lisa@AlfordRG.com

Christmas Light displays, shows and events in the Mooresville and Lake Norman area

by 1 Comment

Merry Christmas!  We are happy to be bringing you our usual updated list of Christmas light displays and shows.  This year we are also bringing you Christmas events in the Mooresville and Lake Norman area!

??? Enter into our contest!  You could win a free Amazon Echo Dot (Alexa) or one of several $5 Dunkin Donuts gift cards!  

*** PLEASE!  If you know of other light displays or events to share let us know so we can add to this list for all to enjoy. ***

Mooresville Christmas Lights:

191 Scanlon Dr., Mooresville, NC 28115 ??  This is located in Curtis Pond neighborhood and is our FEATURED IMAGE.   The Broy family suffered a terrible fire that burned many of their display pieces.   We have never seen so many decorations in one yard – EVER!  For displays without the musical show – this one is the clear winner!  We would actually encourage you to drive all through Curtis Pond.  There are many festive homes in this neighborhood.  There’s one at 161 Madelia with great a timed musical lights display too, it even has a radio station!  Be sure to check out 111 Millen Dr. and 112 Millen Dr., great displays there too and one has a movie screen!

920 Hampton Pl., Mooresville, NC. There are tons of absolutely MAGICAL
looking balls hanging in trees right near it that just made our jaws drop!) This is a MUST SEE!!

Corner of Perth and Normandy Road, Mooresville, NC 28117
181 Knoxview, Mooresville, NC 28117 (gorgeous white light display)
117 Castaway, Mooresville,NC 28117 (very busy and fun yard)

104 Normandy Rd., Mooresville, NC 28117 (WOW! – literally 100’s of blow ups and other
decorations in this yard)

James Family Christmas, 413 North Main St., Mooresville, NC (beside Town Hall) 

Located in downtown Mooresville, NC the James Family Christmas lights show is a computer controlled show with music and lights.  This is an annual show with over 75,000 lights.  The sound is transmitted over a radio station which you can tune into at the show.  This is a great show loved by the locals and is definitely worth seeing.

This video is by Adam Coleman who used to have this wonderful display.  I left it here because it’s just so darn good!  His family moved this year and is unable to get the light display up for 2019.  He promises to have it up for 2020 though.  2013 Christmas Vacation Theme from Adam Coleman on Vimeo.

*** IF YOU ARE VIEWING THIS ON SOCIAL MEDIA– Please LIKE our page and SHARE so others can see it too – THANK YOU!!  ***

Huntersville Christmas Lights:

Zimnowski Light Show – 15419 Hugh McAuley Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078 . This one is is one of our favorites and is sure to please!  They are on Facebook under “Zimnowski Light Show”.

13513 Melrose Meadow Ln., Huntersville, NC 28078

Denver & Lincolnton Christmas Lights:

Crouse House, 512 Fran Ave. , Lincolnton, NC (big animated show) 5:30 to 10:30
nightly 60,000 + lights, animated, 11 different songs. Animated working steam engine, free hot
chocolate nights on Saturdays (weather permitting). Tune radio to 89.3 FM and enjoy!

Isenhour Lights (big animated show)
411 E. Dixon St., Lincolnton, NC 28092
Christmas Display – 480 Abby Park Ln., Lincolnton, NC

Bargar Family Lights – 7829 East Berkley Rd., Denver, NC 28037

Fay Family Lights – 7662 Natalie Commons Dr., Denver, NC 28037

The Lights of Raz – 315 Ramano Dr., Iron Station, NC 28080 – Over 200 inflatables, walking path (so you won’t trip on wires), music, fire pits and more!

Statesville Christmas Lights:

145 Dublin Ct., Statesville, NC – lots of lights and yard ornaments

Troutman Christmas Lights:

Zootastic Park of Lake Norman, 448 Pilch Rd., Troutman, NC
Big light display, S’more’s pit, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Tiger and Giraffe feeding, Carousel
Rides, Pictures with Santa and one of our animal babies, and SO MUCH MORE!! They will also be offering wagon rides through the lights at no additional cost on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights. Admission $7.00 per person (includes driving through the lights and walking through the zoo).

ZootasticZootastic Park of Lake Norman always has a great display, is easy to get to and a great show!  448 Pilch Rd., Troutman, NC 28166

2.5 million Christmas lights, dancing light show, picture opportunity with Santa (and a tiger cub if you choose), petting zoo, pony rides, tiger feedings, s’mores and great memories!  It takes about an hour to drive through the lights on busy nights.  $6.00 per person

I’d also like to add that there are several HUGE displays at parks, etc.  The only one in the Lake Norman area is Zootastic; but, if you are up for the drive, I highly recommend going to Winston-Salem and seeing the lights at Tanglewood Park.  McAdenville is another one that many people like to take a drive out to go see.  That’s an entire town lit up and it’s FREE!  There’s also the Charlotte Speedway but that is a bit pricier.  This blog focuses mainly on smaller, private displays in the Lake Norman area but I didn’t want to leave out those large displays that are so popular.

Go to top

EVENTS!!  ☃️☃️

Mooresville Christmas Events:

Photo taken from Downtown Mooresville’s Facebook post

Friday, December 6th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Join Downtown Mooresville for a “Mistletoe Sip & Shop”. Featuring:
~ a life size snow globe for you to enter & have your picture taken!
~ an award winning Barbershop Quartet
~ Shop Small while visiting unique & locally owned businesses offering open houses, specials, sips, appetizers, gifts, treats & more!

A Classic Christmas (photo and info taken from Downtown Mooresville’s Facebook post)

A Classic Christmas in Mooresville will be held on Friday, December 13th from 6:00 until 8:00.  A Classic Christmas in Mooresville will bring you Santa Visits, Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides, a Life Size Snow Globe, Victorian Carolers, Ice Skating, Petting Zoo, Unique Shopping & Dining, Hot Cocoa, Popcorn, Cotton Candy, S’mores, Crafts & more!

Wagons load & unload at the Mooresville Christian Mission (266 N. Broad St.), a donation of non-perishable food items or cash is suggested.

Santa will be in JF Moore Park at the corner of Main St & Center Ave., along with traditionally lighted Christmas Trees.
Ice Skating*, Petting Zoo, S’mores, Hot Chocolate & a Craft will be found off of Center Avenue near 132 E. Center Ave.
Life Size Snow Globe will be on Moore Ave. near Main St.
Popcorn, Cotton Candy, 3D glasses & many other treats will be found along Main & Broad St., Center & Moore Ave.

Fees:   Ice Skating: $5 per person (4 & under free), S’mores Kit: $1 per kit, Hot Chocolate $2

Photo and info taken from the Northern Lights of Lake Norman’s facebook post

2019 Christmas Lighted Boat Parade north of the 150 Bridge to benefit Children’s Hope Alliance-Barium Springs Troutman

December 7, 2019
5:00-9:00pm
Apps & Taps

5:30 Boats Leave Apps & Taps and parade past Stumpy Creek Boat Ramp
6:30 Boats Arrive back to Apps & Taps
6:30-9:00 Music by The Mojo Band and Chinese Raffle

For Information on Registering Your Boat for the Parade
email: northernlightsofLKN@gmail.com OR
Call:
Karen Shea 330-421-1309
Nancy Skupski 540-287-337

To Make Donations to Barium Springs visit:
[https://www.childrenshopealliance.org](https://www.childrenshopealliance.org/?fbclid=IwAR3TNWDucCyw-_BeRw3jzA8leM2tNZo3iihIH21yToQjKt8wHTaYlBHRsoo)/northernlights

Go to top

Davidson Christmas Events:

Christmas in Davidson (photo taken from Town of Davidson’s Facebook post)

Christmas in Davidson is  December 5th, 6th & 7th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

An annual tradition since 1988, Christmas in Davidson kicks off the holiday season by offering a wide variety of entertainment, shopping, food, crafts, etc… for the young and young-at-heart.  Come take a carriage ride, visit the live nativity, and see Santa Claus.  There is something fun and entertaining for everyone!  Christmas in Davidson offers you and your loved ones the opportunity to make holiday memories!

See www.ChristmasInDavidson.com for more info.

Davidson & Cornelius are having their 37th  Annual North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade on December 7th at 1:00 p.m.

  • Where: The parade starts in Davidson at the intersection of Griffith Street and Highway 115 and ends in Cornelius at the intersection of Highway 115 and Catawba Avenue
  • You’ll see high school bands, horses, tractors, school groups, civic organizations, and more!

Cornelius Christmas Events:

Huntersville Christmas Events:

The Town of Huntersville’s tree lighting service will be on Friday, December 6th from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the town center.  There are lots of FREE activities including:

  • Pictures with Santa
  • Rides
  • Obstacle courses
  • S’mores
  • Live music and entertainment
  • Ice sculptures
  • Local downtown restaurants or snacks. Funnel cakes, popcorn, cotton candy, & drinks will be for purchase.

On Saturday, December 7th from 2:00 to 8:00 at the town center there will be a family event featuring lots of free activities (and some that will have a cost).  Those activities include (there may be more):

  • Rides
  • Obstacle courses
  • Artisan ice sculptures
  • Holiday performances
  • Carolers of Christmas Past
  • Airbrush tattoos
  • Balloon twisters
  • Live Nativity at Huntersville Presbyterian Church (5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.)
  • Inflatable snow globe pictures
  • Roaming holiday characters
  • Pictures with Santa
  • Letters to Santa
  • Jugglers
  • Stories with Mrs. Claus
  • Horse drawn carriage rides
Go to top

Troutman Christmas Events:

The Town of Troutman is having its Christmas Tree Lighting celebration on December 5th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Come join friends and neighbors as we light the Town Christmas Tree together while enjoying holiday carols sung by a large group of local school children.  Delicious cookies and treats will be provided by the Troutman Grange.  Santa will be making an appearance for children to share their wish lists!  This is a FREE family event.

Saturday, December 7th at 11:00 am 

The Fourth Annual Troutman Christmas Parade will march down Eastway Drive Saturday. The parade begins at the Career Academy and Technical School building on Old Murdock Road and will travel to Eastway Drive, ending at Troutman Baptist Church. The parade starts at 11 a.m.

The parade will feature floats, classic cars, dancers and, in the finale, Santa Claus will be riding on a Troutman Fire-Rescue truck. The West Iredell High School band is scheduled to participate.

The CATS fire academy students will serve as the color guard for the parade.

It has been requested that, if you can, please bring a toy to donate to Toys for Tots.  They are in particular need of toys for children 12 and up.

Statesville Christmas Events:

Photo taken from Downtown Statesville’s website & Facebook post

Tuesday, December 10th at 3:00 p.m.

The parade line-up will start at 1:30 p.m. at Center and Bell streets.  They expect the parade to last about an hour.

Photo from Downtown Statesville’s Facebook post

Statesville Shop & Stroll

Friday, December 6th from 5:30 until 9:00 p.m.

For specific details visit:  https://www.facebook.com/events/797034037395717/

During this event, you can enjoy: a visit Santa central at City Hall, Horse Drawn Carriage rides, Live Nativity, S’mores Station, Train Rides at the Civic Center, Victorian Carolers and Music, Downtown Shopping & Dining, Open House at the Historic Sharpe House, play Key to Escape and more!

Photo from Theatre Statesville’s Facebook post

Theatre Statesville Presents A Christmas Carol

Show Dates: December 5, 7, 8, 13, 14 & 15
Show Tour Start Times: 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 pm . **You select just one start time.

All shows begin at the Statesville City Hall at 227 S Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Please be at this location 15 minutes before your showtime to confirm your ticket.

This show will be presented as a guided walking tour of scenes from the famous story staged at different downtown locations,
both indoors and out.

Please dress for the weather.   General Admission: $15

Denver Christmas Events:

How much are the sellers closing costs to sell a house?

by Leave a Comment

If you are selling or buying a house you probably have been wondering what the closing costs are on the sale of a home.  People hear about “closing costs” all the time but what are they and how much are they?  In this post, we will answer that question for the seller in the transaction.  If there are any questions that we don’t answer here in this post, please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any of your real estate questions.

What are Closing Costs – what’s included?

Closing costs are fees that surround the closing of a real estate transaction.  These fees include every penny outside of the purchase price and the payoff that must be paid to any party for any service, tax or other responsibility of either the buyer or the seller in relation to the final transaction of changing title from one party to the other.

The seller, in addition to paying off any mortgages or other liens, must pay their real estate agent commission (according to Realtor.com on average that fee is around 6.0% of the price of the home, although it can vary), the seller must also pay their share of attorney fees and other related expenses.  This is gone into further below.

The buyer also has closing costs that primarily surround obtaining a loan, assuming there is one.  If there is no loan, then the buyer actually pays very little in closing costs.  Without a loan the buyer will be responsible for paying their share of the attorney’s fees, any inspection fees, survey fees or anything else they have ordered for the closing.  With a loan however they will be paying lender fees, interim interest, a year of homeowner’s insurance and will likely be paying to set up an escrow account.

Wondering what your home could bring in today’s market?  It takes 15 seconds to find out!

Who Pays Closing Costs on a home?

Who pays the closing costs on a home?  That’s a great question and one that we hear quite often.  In general, both parties do.  However, this answer can vary with every deal as many times closing costs are a part of the negotiations in the contract.

Do Home Sellers Pay Closing Costs?

The seller has their fees which include things like real estate agent commissions, their share of the taxes for the year, the pro-rated HOA dues for the year, any other necessary pro-rations, there is typically a transfer tax or revenue stamps paid to the county, recording fees to record the deed, their share of the attorney’s fees and any other fees or penalties that may be associated with the property or paying off their current mortgage.

As mentioned above, other than the fees the seller is responsible for, this is a negotiation between the buyer and seller as part of the contract.  A buyer may need the seller to pay the closing costs or a portion thereof in order to be able to purchase the home.  In this case, the seller may agree to do so and it is written into the contract that the seller will pay a specific portion or amount in “closing costs”.  By doing so, whatever that agreed upon amount is according to the contract is what the seller will pay on the buyer’s behalf at the time of closing on the Closing Disclosure.

Thinking of selling?  This FREE book can help!

How Much Does it Cost to Close on a House?

The amount it cost to close on a house varies from state to state and situation to situation.  While it’s impossible to give a blanket answer that will work for all situations we hope the following will give you enough to go on.

For the seller, one can anticipate around 7-8% in total for the closing costs related to the sale of a home.  That is assuming that the seller is in a state where it is customary for the seller to pay the entire real estate commission for both buyer and seller.  There are a few states where it is customary for each party to pay their own real estate commission.  As a seller, if you are in one of these states, you are likely to pay a total of around 4-5% in total for closing costs related to the sale of a home.

For the buyer who is obtaining a loan, most lender’s we have questioned on this say that the average closing costs is between 3-5% of the purchase price.  This greatly varies from lender to lender and what their specific company charges to deliver a loan.  A buyer should always shop lenders to see if they are getting the best deal they can.  That figure is assuming you are in a state where it is customary for the seller to pay all real estate commissions.  If you are in a state where it is customary for the buyer to pay their own commissions, then you should add an additional 2-4% on top of the before mentioned 3-5%, making your total closing costs between 5-9%.

How Much Does an Attorney Charge to do a Closing?

In most of the Southeastern states and some other states as well an attorney is required to perform the actual closing in a real estate transaction.  The attorney researches the title, checks for any blemishes on title, checks to make sure the taxes on the property are current, checks both buyer’s and seller’s names to make sure they do not have outstanding liens against them, checks the current survey (if the buyer obtains one) for boundary issues, easements, etc.  Once this is done, the attorney sends what is called a title policy commitment to the lender which the underwriter reviews to determine if they are comfortable going forward with the loan based on the commitment and any exemptions on it.  After the lender makes their final decision to move forward, the “closing package” is sent to the attorney’s office to close the loan, this is also referred to as the “closing”.  After the closing is performed, the attorney records the deeds, deposits all monies into their escrow account, sends the lender back their signed package and disburses the closing funds according to the Closing Disclosure which all parties signed at the closing.

In general, for their services, attorney’s fees can vary greatly from state to state and from area to area.  In many areas it is a flat rate somewhere around $500-$1,000.  In other areas, the attorney’s fees are determined by the purchase price and generally start at $500 and go up from there to around $1,500.  In addition to this, there are other fees that the attorney’s office may charge that include overnight fees, courier fees, preparation fees, etc.

If you are the seller, attorney’s fees are not quite as much.  You will likely being paying a deed and lien waiver preparation fee that could range anywhere from $200 to $600.  You, as the seller, will also likely be charged a wire fee and/or overnight fee to send your payoff out and if you are having your funds wired into your account.

How Much Does it Cost to Sell Your Home?

Generally speaking, one can anticipate around 7-8% in total for the closing costs related to the sale of a home.

There are additional costs that are not typically counted as closing costs that a seller should consider, like costs to get the house ready to go on the market.  Does the house need painting or other repairs prior to going on the market?  Is the seller coming out of pocket for any of the marketing of the home other than commissions?  A seller must also keep in mind that there may be repairs required after inspections and that could cost them as well.

 

What are the fees for a Mortgage?

Fees surrounding a mortgage vary greatly from lender to lender.  Most of them include some type of origination fee, administrative fee, document prep fee, tax service fee, flood certification fee.  These fees are all in addition to the required lender’s title insurance, homeowner’s insurance, interim interest and escrow account setup.

 

If you are thinking of selling your home and would like a detailed Seller Estimated Net Sheet which breaks down all the fees for you and shows you approximately what you should net should you decide to sell you home, give us a call at 704-408-2834.  We’ll be glad to set up an appointment with you to go over that information and help you make an informed decision.

 

Thinking about your next home?  Here are Lake Norman’s newest listings!

Lake Norman Utilities List

by Leave a Comment

When it comes time to move in the Lake Norman area you are probably going to be in need of a Lake Norman Utilities List.  This list includes the most popular utility services for Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville and Troutman.  If you are still thinking about making your move but haven’t purchased one yet or put your current home on the market and are looking for a real estate professional, Lisa Alford, Broker– Alford Realty Group with Southern Homes of the Carolinas would love to help.  Call, text or email 704-408-2834 Lisa@AlfordRG.com.

? Gas

Mooresville:  PSNC 1-877-776-2427   http://www.psncenergy.com/en/

Cornelius:  Public Service of NC 704-664-3482

or Piedmont Natural Gas 1800-752-7504  http://www.piedmontng.com/

Davidson:  Public Service Co of NC 704-664-3482

Huntersville:  Piedmont Natural Gas 1800-752-7504  http://www.piedmontng.com/

Troutman:  Lake Norman Propane  704-892-3444

 

☎️ Phone and Internet

Mooresville:  Internet/cable: Time Warner Cable  1-866-336-5608   www.TimeWarnerCable.com

or   Windstream http://www.windstream.com/  (855)575-7625

    if in town: MI Connection  704-660-3840    http://www.mi-connection.com

Cornelius:  Internet/cable: Time Warner Cable  1-866-336-5608   www.TimeWarnerCable.com

Davidson:  Internet/cable: Time Warner Cable  1-866-336-5608   www.TimeWarnerCable.com

Huntersville:  Internet/cable: Time Warner Cable  1-866-336-5608   www.TimeWarnerCable.com  or Prestige Cable 704-663-6632

 

? Electricity

Mooresville:  Duke Energy  1-800-777-9898   www.duke-energy.com/north-carolina/

Energy United 1-800-522-3793

Cornelius:  ElectriCities – 704-948-0550 or Duke Energy 1800-777-9898 or Energy United 704-892-0278 or 1800-636-2371

Davidson:  Duke Energy 1800-777-9898

Huntersville:  Duke Energy 1800-777-9898 or ElectriCities 704-948-0550

Or Energy United 704-892-0278 or 1800-636-2371

Troutman:  South Iredell Electric 704-663-5829

 

?️  Garbage/Trash Pickup

Mooresville:  (if in town)  city services contact: Mooresville  704-663-3800  http://www.ci.mooresville.nc.us/150/Business-Office-Water-Sewer-Billing

Note: if you are not in the town limits, you likely have a small service company that services your neighborhood.  You should check with your agent (or a neighbor) as to whom that is.

Cornelius:   www.Cornelius.org 704-892-6031   or   704-333-7825

Davidson:  www.ci.davidson.nc.us   or  Allied Waste or BSI – 704-393-6900

Huntersville:  Waste Management 704-279-4890

Troutman:  www.TownofTroutman.org

 

?   Water & Sewer

Mooresville:   If you are in town- city services contact: Mooresville  704-663-3800  http://www.ci.mooresville.nc.us/150/Business-Office-Water-Sewer-Billing   Note: if you are not in the town limits, you likely have a service company that services your neighborhood.  You should check with your agent (or a neighbor) as to whom that is.  Or, you may be on a well and septic tank, again, check with your agent or a neighbor.

Cornelius:  City of Charlotte 704-336-2211  Note: if you are not in the town limits, you likely have a service company that services your neighborhood.  You should check with your agent (or a neighbor) as to whom that is.  Or, you may be on a well and septic tank, again, check with your agent or a neighbor.

Davidson:  City of Charlotte 704-336-2211  Note: if you are not in the town limits, you likely have a service company that services your neighborhood.  You should check with your agent (or a neighbor) as to whom that is.  Or, you may be on a well and septic tank, again, check with your agent or a neighbor.

Huntersville:  City of Charlotte 704-336-2211  Note: if you are not in the town limits, you likely have a service company that services your neighborhood.  You should check with your agent (or a neighbor) as to whom that is.  Or, you may be on a well and septic tank, again, check with your agent or a neighbor.

Troutman:  www.TownofTroutman.org  also, Troutman Sewer 704-528-7600   Note: if you are not in the town limits, you likely have a service company that services your neighborhood.  You should check with your agent (or a neighbor) as to whom that is.  Or, you may be on a well and septic tank, again, check with your agent or a neighbor.

 

?   TV & Cable

Time Warner Cable  1-866-336-5608  www.TimeWarnerCable.com

Windstream http://www.windstream.com/  (855)575-7625

Dish  1-866-359-3584  www.dish.com

Direct TV  1-888-777-2454  www.directv.com

In Town of Mooresville:  MI Connection  704-660-3840    http://www.mi-connection.com

In Towns of Cornelius, Davidson & Huntersville:  Prestige Cable 704-663-6632 or Time Warner Cable  1-866-336-5608  www.TimeWarnerCable.com

 

&nbsp

 
Waterfront Condos and Townhomes
Mooresville Golf Course Homes
Mooresville 750,000 to 1,000,000
Mooresville 500,000 to 750,000
Mooresville 350,000 to 500,000
Mooresville 250,000 to 350,000
Mooresville 100,000 to 250,000
Lake Norman Waterfront below 400,000
Lake Norman Waterfront 800,000 to 1 million
Lake Norman Waterfront 600,000 to 800,000
Lake Norman Waterfront 400,000 to 600,000
Lake Norman Waterfront 1 million to 2 million
Lake Norman Waterfront over 2 million
Lake Norman Foreclosures and Short Sales
Huntersville homes 750,000 to 1 million
Huntersville homes 500,000 to 750,000
Huntersville 350,000 to 500,000
Huntersville homes over 1 million
Huntersville Golf Course Homes
Huntersville below 150,000
Huntersville 150,000 to 250,000
Davidson Golf Properties
Cornelius Homes under 150,000
Cornelius Golf Course Homes
Mooresville over 1 million
Davidson 100,000 to 250,000
Davidson 250,000 to 350,000
Davidson 350,000 to 500,000
Davidson 500,000 to 1 million
Davidson Golf Course Homes
Cornelius 150,000 to 250,000
Cornelius 350,000 to 500,000
Cornelius 500,000 to 750,000
Cornelius 750,000 to 1 million
Cornelius over 1 million
Cornelius Golf Course Homes

Easter Egg Hunts around Lake Norman 2016

by Leave a Comment

Happy Easter background with eggs

 

Easter Egg Hunts are so much fun and kids just love them!  Here’s a list of Easter Egg Hunts and events in the Lake Norman area.

 

Easter bunny

March 26th –  Easter Egg Hunt at Zootastic 385 Ostwalt Amity Rd., Troutman – Park hours are 9:00 – 5:00, hunts are at 12:00 (ages 4-6), 12:45 (ages0-3) and 1:30 (ages 7-10).  Here at the zoo we believe that everyone should get equal candy so we do not stuff our eggs… instead you exchange your eggs for a bag of candy after the hunt. Some of the eggs do have special prizes you can use during your visit!!

We will have a bounce house, coloring center, egg decorating center, and face painting. Pony rides will be available for a small fee, as well as our usual concessions plus hot dog and cotton candy stands!  Our wagon rides will be running throughout the day, and you can purchase feed for the barnyard & wagon ride animals as well as giraffe crackers for your up close and personal time with Jiggy and Melman!!  Our 15-minute encounters will be running throughout both days as well for an extra fee – they are first-come, first-serve and you sign up for them at the gift shop counter!  Come see all our new babies and have a wonderful day feeding the animals. Can’t wait to see you at the zoo!

egg hunt
March 26th – Latta Easter Egg Hunt 10am Historic Latta Plantation 704-894-2135 5225 Sample Rd., Huntersville. This is the most anticipated children’s even held at Latta Plantation each year.  Families from all over come to the 19th century home to enjoy a spring afternoon along the grounds of the 215 year old Latta Plantation.  Kids ages 1-12 are invited to pre-register for the Easter Egg hunts.  Children will be divided into ages and each child will fill baskets with eggs.  Thousands of eggs are hidden and dozens of large prizes are given.  Everyone is a winner!  Also meet the Easter Bunny & Latta Farm Animals, make crafts, play games and face painting.  Take a trou, enjoy food vendors and more!  Register online at www.lattaplantation.org  Admission $10

 

March 26th – Rural Hill Egg Hunt 11 & 11:30 am Rural Hill 704-875-3113  4431 Neck Rd., Huntersville.  Bring your Easter baskets, family and friends to the fun-filled annual Rural Hill Easter Egg Hunt!  Explore Rural Hill’s beautiful 250 year old property, gardens and farmland as you hunt for prize eggs and compete in spoon races, balloon tosses and more!  For a small fee take a family trip around the farm on our exciting hayride or let the kids play in our bounce houses.  In case you get hungry, food vendors will be on hand to please!  Two egg hunts will be held: one at 11:00 for children 4 and under and one at 11:30 for children 5 and over.  Please arrive early to ensure that your child is able to participate in his or her hunt.

Another thing happens this time of year!  Real estate season kicks into high gear!  If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, please contact us today!  Here are the most recent homes listed in our area:

[javascript][/javascript]

 

March 26th – Bethel Presbyterian Church 3-4:30 19920 Bethel Church Rd., Cornelius.  Event will be held rain or shine.  This event is open to the public and includes crafts, games, jelly bean cookies, a science station, cross mosaic and more.  The big egg hunt will begin at 3:45 and the Easter Bunny will stop by!

 

helicopter eggsMarch 26th & April 2nd – Easter Eggstravaganza at the Lazy 5 Ranch 15100 Highway 150 East, Mooresville, NC 282115.  Activities include a helicopter egg drop.  Drop times vary from 10:00 to 5:30.  Please see website for details www.lazy5ranch.com Also enjoy Interactive activities for you and your children to learn about where our food comes from and other agricultural education, corn box, prizes, coloring contest, face painting, scavenger hunt, pet live bunnies, wagon rides and more!

 

egg hunt

 

March 26th Lake Shore Middle School 11:00 – 1:00 Rocky Mount UMC will have its annual Easter Eggstravaganza.  This is a free community-wide event which will have bounce houses, obstacle courses, slides and crawl through inflatables, huge egg hunts, face painting, door prizes, hot dogs, chips, drinks, popcorn and more.

 
Home Valuation

Things to do Valentine’s Day at Lake Norman

by 1 Comment

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day – Each year on February 14th, many people exchange cards, gifts, candy or flowers with their special “valentine”.  Did you know they day of romance we call Valentine’s Day is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5th century?  Saint Valentine is very busy, not only is he the patron saint of happy couples everywhere but people also call on him for interventions regarding beekeeping, epilepsy, plaque, fainting and traveling.  Valentine’s Day was originally celebrated as a feast day.  Many carry on that tradition by taking their loved ones out to eat.

If you are trying to do something special for your love on Valentine’s Day,  you may be trying to find the perfect gift or plan the perfect night out on the town. Here are some great things to do in and around the Lake Norman, North Carolina area this Valentine’s Day.

Boat Rides

Being on a lake, you’d expect there to be boating activities. Many companies are offering special romantic cruises for Valentine’s day in the area. A few of those companies include:

Zoo’s

A date to the zoo is always a great idea, show your love the animal side in you:

  • North Carolina Zoo is wonderful!  It’s not too far for a day adventure either.
  • Zootastic Park in Troutman is always fun and has some exotic animals to enjoy.  You can even schedule private encounters with baby animals (like tigers, otters and lemurs – oh my!).  Admission is only $12.50 for adults.

Special Valentine’s Events

Some special treats for this Valentine’s Day include:

  • Charlotte Sympony Pops: A Symphonic Valentine.  The Charlotte Symphony, conducted by Roger Kalia, presents this performance of romantic orchestral favorites and love songs from popular Broadway musicals and films. $25-$79. Feb. 13-14, 8 p.m. Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.
  • Charlotte Valentines Day Wine & Beer Tour Wine tastings and beer tastings. Feb. 14, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $69 per person. Departs from Uptown at 603 South College St.www.winemedown.com/valentines.html.
  • Dining in the Dark: A Journey of Taste, Sound and Touch – Valentine’s Edition Good Eats and Meets presents this journey of taste, sound and touch. Enjoy a romantic evening with a special someone or come solo or with a group of friend. Dinner prepared by Chef Paul Verica of Heritage Food and Drink. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com. $75 per person or $125 per couple. Heritage Food and Drink, 201 W. South Main. St., Matthews.
  • Valentine’s Day Murder Mystery Dinner & Dancing.  Elegant event at The VanLandingham Estate 2010 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205  704-334-8909.  Join the Charlotte Murder Mystery Company as an investigator to figure out ‘WHODUNIT?!”
  • Cupid’s Celebration at Shelton Vineyards.  Special tastings, reservations required. 286 Cabernet Ln., Dobson, NC 27017  336-366-4724
  • Sweet Heart Carriage Rides – Nothing more romantic than an Uptown Carriage ride for Valentine’s Day!!  Custom pick up.  100 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28204  704-301-5111
  • Lake Norman Comedy Zone Valentine’s Show
  • Van Every/Smith Galleries Art Show

Newsletter sign up red white blue

Activities

If being physically active is more your speed, consider these activities:

  • Take a hike at Lake Norman State Park in Troutman
  • The Pit Indoor kart track
  • GoPro race track
  • Horseback riding at Latta Plantation (reservations recommended)
  • Go Running! Here are two local events for runners this Valentine’s Day:
    • Heart’s a Bustin’ 5K Trail Run
    • Cupid’s Undie Run

 

RestaurantsValentines heart for love

Many people like to spend Valentine’s day is by their love out to eat someplace special. Some of the best restaurants in the Lake Norman area include:

Bakeries

Picking up a special treat for your Valentine can really show her how much you care. Whether you want a cookie, cupcake or cake, some of the best bakeries in the area include:

 

Florists

Valentine’s Day would not be complete without flowers. Send flowers to her work or pick some up on the way home at:

  • Lake Norman Flowers and Gifts
  • Bella Grace Floral
  • Artistry Florals
  • Albertine Florals

 

couple in spaMassages

If your loved one is under a lot of stress, and you want to help her unwind, consider sending her for a massage on Valentine’s day. Or, even take part in a couple’s massage. Some of the best places in the area to get massages include:

Home Valuation

Bed and Breakfasts

If you want to make Valentine’s day memorable, consider an overnight stay at a bed and breakfast. Some cute one’s around the lake are:

  • Davidson Village Inn
  • The Cedars Davidson Bed & Breakfast
  • White Oak Inn
  • Robin’s Nest Bed and Breakfast
  • The Kerr House Bed & Breakfast

 

Movie Theaters

Romantic movies tend to be released right around Valentine’s day. Catching a movie is always a great way to spend this holiday. Some theaters in the area are:

 

Jewelers

Jewelry is one of the most popular Valentine’s day gifts. Give your loved one a piece of jewelry she won’t soon forget by visiting one of the local jewelers in Lake Norman.

 

 

Buy a House

Lastly, if your looking to do the extra special, consider putting down roots and buying a home together. The best realty company in town is Alford Realty Group.  Contact them to set up appointments and find the perfect home for you and your Valentine this year.

Or, call them if you are ready to sell your existing home.  They have very quick sell times and higher than average list to sell rates.  You won’t want to chance it with anyone else.  Contact them for a free consultation and find out what your home could bring in today’s market.

There are many Valentine’s Day Lake Norman Things to do. Learning about the different things you can do and buy can help ensure that this holiday is as special to your loved one as they are to you.

Should I sell my Lake Norman house in the winter months

by Leave a Comment

Sold home winter

Lake Norman home sellers and sellers around the country frequently ask themselves “should I sell my house in the winter?”  Many sellers think it is best to take your home off the market during the fall/winter or wait until spring to sell.  WRONG!  This is one of the biggest myths in real estate.  The more serious buyers are out there right now looking for homes (like yours) and can’t find them!  As as result, these buyers are having to settle for whatever is available.  If you are even thinking of selling your home, contact Alford Realty Group today!  We specialize in home sales in the Mooresville and Lake Norman area and can show you where your home stands in our local the market.

Newsletter sign up red white blue

Yes, there is a difference in fall and winter time buyers vs. spring and summer buyers.  Typically, in the cooler weather months we see home buyers that need homes and need them now.  In the spring, buyers are looking to buy but are a more relaxed buyer because there is so much more inventory available to them.  Want to be a smart seller?  List your home when there is less competition!

Winter just may be the perfect time to sell your house.  If you wait until spring or summer to list your home for sale, you may be missing out on the perfect time to sell your home.  We have many indicators that tell us what kind of market it is and what sellers can expect when selling their homes.

Home Valuation

One of our first big indicators of a seller’s market is the number of months of supply of homes available on the market.  Simply put that means, if no more homes came up on the market it would take that many months to be completely out of homes for sale.  Right now, in the 28117 zip code priced between $167,000 to $319,000 we are at 4.7 months.  In the 28115 side, we are at 3.25 months.  Those are some pretty strong numbers.

Another big indicator of a seller’s market is how close to the asking price the sales price winds up being.  In that same price range of homes in the 28117 side we are seeing a median range of 95%.  In the 28115 side, we are seeing 95.8%.  That has been the steady range for about two years now regardless of what time of year the home sells.

Average sales price is also an indicator.  Right now on the 28117 side of Mooresville and Lake Norman area, we are seeing $397,609 as an average sales price, up $38,000 from two years ago.  In the 28115 side of Mooresville and Lake Norman we are seeing $205,334 as the average sales price.  That’s up $22,500 from 2 years ago.

Davidson:  Davidson has 5.8 months supply of home inventory, which is also very strong.  The average sales price in Davidson is $359,905 which is up $37,300 from two years ago.  The median percent of sales price to list price is 96.2%.  Davidson is also a very strong real estate market in the Lake Norman area.

Cornelius: Cornelius has 4.4 months supply of home inventory, again, very strong.  The average sales price in Cornelius is $374,916 which is up $18,000 from two years ago.  The median percent of sales price to list price in Cornelius is 96.7% which is the strongest in the Lake Norman area.

Christmas house keysIn addition to all of the great stats, think about how great your home looks when it’s decorated for Christmas!  A home beautifully decorated for Christmas can often pull on the emotions of the buyer and help them to see their own family living in that home for the holidays.  Granted, not all home buyers celebrate Christmas but most do.  Even those who don’t can generally appreciate a beautifully decorated house and think how lovely their own decorations would look.

As the numbers indicate, the Mooresville and Lake Norman area is seeing a great seller’s market right now, in the fall and winter months.  If you are considering selling your home, you want an agent that knows this market and has proven themselves successful.  Lisa Alford with Alford Realty Group has the knowledge and experience you are looking for.  In addition, Lisa also proudly holds the designation of Strategic Pricing Specialist, that means she knows exactly how to net you the most money possible!  Contact her today to find out the best way to position your home on the market to sell your home fast and for the most money possible.

Contact Lisa Alford at 704-408-2834 or email Lisa@AlfordRealtyGroup.com to find out more or to get your home listed for sale today!

 

Fall Activities in Mooresville and Lake Norman Area 2015 things to do

by Leave a Comment

Fall Activities in Mooresville and Lake Norman Area 2015Fall Activities for Lake Norman

 

Hooray!  Fall is finally here!  For many, including myself, this is the best time of year.  The earth is cooling off, it feels good to be outside and the colors are spectacular!  I love the sound of the crunching of leaves, the cool breezes and the smells of fall.  Fall is such a great time to hang out around a fire with your friends/family, go hiking, take a ride through the beautiful North Carolina mountains and see the blanket of colors that covers them.  My personal favorite activity in the fall is taking my horse for a ride in those same mountains and seeing places where the cars can’t go.

 

Many of our Lake Norman residents consider summer to be the best time to be out and about in the Lake Norman area because all that the lake has to offer, like boating, swimming and other fun outdoor activities.  But the end of summer is not the end of the fun activities in the area!  Check out these great fall activities close by:

Downtown Trick-or-Treat

Downtown Mooresville, Friday, October 30th 3-5pm.

Kids and costumes of all sizes are invited to downtown Mooresville for the downtown’s annual trick-or-treat festivities.  Businesses downtown will be handing out free candy to all trick-or-treaters.

 

Statesville Pumpkin Fest

Saturday, Nov. 7th from 10-5 in historic downtown Statesville

  • Festival Kid Zone
  • Games, Rides and Activities such as Pumpkin Bowling, Pumpkin Painting and even Pumpkin Smashing
  • Over 60 Art and Craft Exhibitors
  • A Variety of Tantalizing Food Booths
  • GMS Racing Main Stage Entertainment
  • Cornhole Tournament
  • Classic Car Cruise-In on Court Street
  • Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest
  • Taste of North Carolina Craft Beer Garden

 

 

The Great Chili Cook Off!Chili cook off

Sat. October 31st from 12:00 – 4:00 (this was originally scheduled for Sept. 26th but was rescheduled due to rain)  Tickets are $10  This is a charity event.

http://thegreatchilicookoff.com/

279 Williamson Rd., Mooresville, NC (next to the Lowe’s Foods parking lot)

The Great Chili Cook Off!  Be sure to stop by Alford Realty Group’s tent for a free gift and a chance to win a great prize J

Take in the food and craft vendors, hang out with your kids in the HUGE Inflatables Kids Zone and enjoy a fun-filled time at the 7th Annual Great Chili Cook-Off.

Come early if chili is your draw – when the chili is gone, it’s gone, but the bands rock on with vendors and a HUGE Kids Zone to keep everyone entertained way past dark.

 

Like what you see so far?  There’s lots more below.  Sign up for our e-newsletter here!

Fall enewsletter button

 

 

Regal Corn Maze

September 26 thru …  http://www.regalcornmaze.com/

347 Bell Farm Road, Statesville

 

Patterson Farm Fun!  

10390 Caldwell Rd., Mt. Ulla, NC 28125   www.VisitPattersonFarm.com

There is always so much to do at Patterson Farm!  This year they are open weekends Oct 5-30th (Sat 10-6, Sun 12:30-6) Take home pumpkins, fall decor and produce from their market.  Don’t forget the fun corn maize!

Oct 17th & 18th, Tractors Galore Weekend

Oct. 24th-25th Teacher Appreciation weekend – free admission to teachers with school ID.

Sunday, November 1st come out for their color run!  Register online for this event.

 

Let’s not forget fall leaf season in the mountains!!! Fall mountains Mountain creek fall Check out this site http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/north-carolina/state-parks-nc/ for 10 great NC State parks to see the views from along with the Blue Ridge Parkway which was just named one of America’s Best Road Trips by Travel & Leisure magazine.  Here is a link for the fall foliage map for this year http://biology.appstate.edu/fall-color-report/fall-color-map-north-carolina .  It’s supposed to be one of the most colorful leaf seasons we’ve had in years!

 

Train Rides! Here’s a great way to spend some time this fall.  Take the scenic route and ride the train!  Between lush mountains, rolling valleys, and roaring rivers, sometimes the best way to view it all is to go the old-fashioned route!  With beautiful fall foliage in the near future, you’ll want to hop on board these six trains and enjoy!  http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/north-carolina/train-rides-nc/

Home Valuation

Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze Weekends Oct 3rd through November 1st    4431 Neck Rd., Huntersville, NC http://www.ruralhillfarm.org/AmazingMaizeMaze.asp This fall there’s more than enough fun and confusion for all!  Get lost in the giant seven acre corn maze featuring over two miles of interconnecting paths.  One of the largest in the Southeast, this maze is sure to please!  The entire 265 acre farm is available to your group during maze hours so take a hayride around the farm, play a round of corn-hole, explore the historic site, play in the mini-mazes, have a picnic, hike trails and pick a pumpkin!  So much fun all in one place!

 

Fall Festival at Lazy 5 Ranch Lazy 5 Ranch, 15100 Mooresville Rd., Mooresville, NCLazy 5 Ranch Fall Festival

Oct 3 to Nov 1

There’s something for everyone to enjoy.  Pick out the perfect pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, and then take a peaceful, cool, horse drawn wagon ride through the farm.  This year’s activities include: pumpkin painting, kettle corn, pumpkin slingshot a corn box and so much more.  Come on out and have a great time!

 

Looking for a new home?  Know of someone who is?  Here are the the most recent listings on the MLS.

 

 

 

Like what you see so far?  There’s lots more below.  Sign up for our e-newsletter here!

Fall enewsletter button

Gristmill 5K

Sat. Nov. 7th  9:00 to 10:35

Murray’s Mill Historic District

1489 Murray’s Mill Rd., Catawba, NC

Through the woods and over the river, the Gristmill 5K at the Historic Murray’s Mill is an off-road course utilized by local high school cross country teams for local meets. This course consists of mostly non-technical trails, with a few footbridges that cross the surrounding waterways and leads you by the placid pond as it slips over a mill dam, while the 28’ waterwheel of this National Register Historic Site makes its slow way round.

 

Billy Graham’s 97th Birthday Celebration

Nov. 7

Billy Graham Library, 4330 Westmont Dr., Charlotte, NC

The Billy Graham Library will celebrate Billy Graham’s 97th birthday.  Birthday cake will be offered to all guests while supplies last and everyone will have the opportunity to sign a birthday banner for Mr. Graham.  While on property, enjoy the Journey of Faith tour, lunch in the Graham Brothers’ Dairy Bar and early Christmas shopping in Ruth’s Attic Bookstore.

 

GoWILD! Photo Auction and Benefit Concert

Nov. 7

Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Rd., Huntersville, NC

Carolina Raptor Center will host the GoWILD! 2015 Photo Auction and Benefit Concert Music by Sunday Union Silent Auction Photo Wild Auction ticket website: www.gowild.carolinaraptorcetner.org

There will be food trucks, beer & wine.

 

Folk Life Festival & Craft Show

Nov 7-8  from 10-4

Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Rd., Huntersville, NC

Local vendors specializing in handcrafts including pottery, jewelry, preserves, paintings and wood crafts will be available for browsing.  Living history demonstrations including book binding, woodworking, cooking and an open house tour will be ongoing throughout each day.  Children will also enjoy games and farm animal displays.  Food vendors and the Olde Mecklenburg Brewery will be serving.

What's your home worth home value

 

Working Fingers Craft Festival

Nov. 7  – Charles Mack Center, Mooresville, NC

The 39th annual Working Fingers Craft Festival will be held Saturday, November 7 at the Charles Mack Citizen Center. It will feature over 120 booths with local and regional vendors. A free kid’s area will be available and Food is available for purchase. Admission is Free! Come out and find that one‑of‑a‑kind holiday gift or something just for you. We have baked goods, fine crafts & artists, unique crafters, jewelry, woodworking, and much more!

 

We at Alford Realty Group are proud to have been able to bring you this wonderful guide for fall activities and we hope you find it helpful and informative.  If you or anyone you know is thinking of buying, selling or investing in real estate won’t you please let us know?  We are experts in the Lake Norman area real estate market and we would love to help you out.  Please give us a call at 704-408-2834 or email me at Lisa@AlfordRealtyGroup.com and let us know how we can help you with your real estate needs.

 

 

 

What is an Earnest Money deposit?

by Leave a Comment

There are many home buyers out there in today’s market searching for that perfect home. After finding THE ONE, most buyers will want to act quickly so as not to loose it to another buyer, this is especially true here in the current Lake Norman housing market. It seems that homes are selling almost as quickly as they are going on the market. As a buyer, you will want to be ready and fully understand all of the terms and practices that are common in today’s real estate market.

In North Carolina (as with most states) When making an offer to purchase a home buyers will likely make a financial deposit called “Earnest Money”. What exactly is that? How much should it be for? What are the risks of making the deposit? All of these are questions buyers may be asking themselves. In North Carolina, we actually have 2 deposits payable at the time of offer to purchase. The other deposit is called Due Diligence and you can learn more about that in another blog post specifically on Due Diligence. For this article, we will be focusing on the more traditional deposit called Earnest Money.

This video does a fairly good job of explaining Earnest Money in general. As the video mentions, there are local customs and we at Alford Realty Group can cover that more one on one during the buyer’s consultation.

Like the video explains, the earnest money deposit is often considered a sign of how serious the buyer is in making their offer. Sellers may receive multiple offers at the same time and the earnest money deposit can be a great way for the buyer to show they are more serious than another buyer. In North Carolina, earnest money deposits are made payable to a 3rd party who will hold the earnest money deposit until closing. Thus, the seller is not holding the earnest money, nor is the buyer. The earnest money is counted toward your “down payment”. If you are getting a loan, most lenders will require a down payment of some sort (typically 3.5-20% down is required) and this deposit will count toward that amount.

As mentioned before, in North Carolina, we also have Due Diligence which gives buyers a time period to back out of the contract for any reason or no reason. If a buyer backs out during the due diligence period, the buyer is entitled to a full refund of their earnest money deposit. However, should a buyer back out of the contract after their due diligence period has expired, they will forfeit the earnest money deposit. The seller then gets to keep both the due diligence deposit and the earnest money deposit as restitution for the buyer’s breach of contract. Generally, there are no further remedies available to the seller. North Carolina instilled this practice as it’s general rule to help cut down on the confusion and the lawsuits for breach of contract that come with real estate transactions. It gives buyers full opportunity to thoroughly check out the home prior to purchase and limits their financial risk as much as possible. If a buyer puts an offer in on a house and then during inspections finds out the house is in poor condition, the buyer becomes unable to purchase or for any other reason the buyer does not wish to proceed with the transaction, the buyer may back out of the contract with minimal financial risk and receive their earnest money back in full.

Fortunately, in the vast majority of contracts, the transaction continues past the due diligence date with no issues. With the transaction continuing to stay on course, both the earnest money and the due diligence deposit are counted toward the purchase price of the home. Both deposits are shown on the final closing statement and credit is given accordingly.

If you are house hunting in the Lake Norman area (or anywhere in the Charlotte area), contact Lisa Alford with Alford Realty Group today. Lisa has the knowledge and experience to make your house buying experience a pleasant and smooth one.

Below are all of the homes listed within the last 48 hours. If you are looking in a specific area or for specific criteria (like waterfront, garage or fenced in yard), use our search tool here.

July 4th fireworks and more 2015

by Leave a Comment

4th of July fireworks

See below for events and dates.

On July 4th in 1776 our country celebrated it’s independence from Great Britain.  Across the country Americans still celebrate our Independence Day every year.   Many areas celebrate with beautiful and glorious displays of fireworks;  lots of cities towns also celebrate with parades and festivals.

american-flag-2aMany people don’t realize that congress actually secretly voted for our independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776.  However, the Declaration of Independence was first published on July 4, 1776 and the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence was on July 8, 1776.  On August 2, 1776 the delegates began signing.  The term “Independence Day” was not used until 1791.  It wasn’t until 1870 that Independence Day was made an unpaid holiday for federal employees, then in 1941 it became a paid holiday for federal employees.

John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776 and described the celebration as “pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations”.

Also noteworthy, on July 4th, 1826, fifty years after we established our independence, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams passed away.  Both of these great men were signers of the Declaration of Independence and were both presidents of the United States.

Wherever and however you celebrate our Independence Day this year we wish you a very happy and safe 4th of July!

 

July 4th celebrations for 2015 in our area include:

June 27th at 11:00 a.m. – Troutman Independence Day Parade, this is a free event honoring veterans and starts at 11:00 a.m.  There will be live music, beer & wine, a kids zone ($5 per hour) and food & craft vendors.  Fireworks will begin at dark.

July 3rd from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. – Lowes YMCA in Mooresville, Summer Celebration & Fireworks, this event will include music, games, inflatables and vendors.  The fireworks are scheduled to start at 9:30.

July 3rd from 8:15 to 9:45 p.m. – Summer Pops: Celebrate America!  This even is held at Symphony Park (Southpark mall), this is a star-spangled celebration of American Independence featuring all the patriotic favorites and some favorite pop music too.  There will be fireworks at the end of the show.

July 3rd – 4th – U.S. National Whitewater Center’s 4th of July Festival, this is a two day celebration with outdoor adventure, live music and spectacular firework displays at 9:30 each night.  Musical performances in the afternoon and evening.  Bring blankets and chairs.

July 4th 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Birkdale Village July 4th celebration, this free event includes balloon twisting, face painting, bike decorating, parade and a fire department water fight!

July 4th at 5:30 – Davidson, come dressed in your red, white and blue and celebrate Independence Day!  Participants who are dressed in old glory’s colors may bring decorated bikes, wagons and pets to march in the parade down Main St.  The line up will begin at 5:15 at Davidson Elementary School parking lot on South Street.

July 4th at 6:00 p.m. – Davidson, Concert on the Green featuring Pushh, after the parade down main street come enjoy the concert on the green.  This year will be featuring the band Pushh.

July 4th at 9:00 p.m. – Queen’s Landing, the Queen’s Landing Fireworks Display is free to public.  Also free to the public are multiple cruises throughout the day.  There is also a boat cruise from 9:00 to 10:30 p.m. which will cost $90 and will include heavy d’oeuvres and a great view of the fireworks from the lake.

July 4th at 2:00p.m. – Skyshow and Street Party 2015 at the BB&T Ball Park, team USA plays Cuba, the street party begins at 2:00 and the gates open at 5:00 p.m.

July 4th at 10:00 p.m. – Carowinds – Celebrate America Fireworks Show, join Carowinds for their biggest fireworks show of the season.

 

Best Places to Eat in Lake Norman

by Leave a Comment

Lake Norman RestaurantsLake Norman is home to many great restaurants.  Some Lake Norman restaurants are even accessible by boat!  It can be hard to know which ones are REALLY good.  Fortunately, we have a vast array of dining choices in our area.  We have everything from BBQ (we Carolinian’s are known for our BBQ), sports bars with great food, mid-range nice variety restaurants, geographic specific cuisine and fine dining restaurants.  This is not by any means a complete listing of all the restaurants great in our area.  We encourage you to try out restaurants in our area and please post below any you feel should be added.

 

BY BOAT!

There are some restaurants that can be accessed by boat on Lake Norman.  Here are a few:

Jack’s Lakeside Grill at Queen’s Landing located at 1459 River Hwy (Hwy 150) Mooresville, NC 28117

Midway Boathouse Grill located at 8693 Hwy 150E, Terrell, NC 28682

The Blue Parrot located at 169 Pinnacle Ln., Mooresville, NC

Rusty Rudder Restaurant & Bar located at 20210 Henderson Rd., Cornelius, NC 28031 The Rusty Rudder is more of a relaxed type of restaurant that frequently has live music.

The North Harbor Club – located at 100-D North Harbor Place, Davidson, NC 28036  This is a more upscale restaurant and is also accessible by boat.

 

BBQ!

Lancaster’s BBQ   Locations in Mooresville (515 Rinehardt Rd., Mooresville NC 28115)  and Huntersville (9230 Beatties Ford Rd., Huntersville NC 28078).

Mac’s Speedshop and BBQ located at 19601 Liverpool Pkwy., Cornelius, NC 28031

 

Not Too Pricey!

Lupie’s Cafe located at 101 Old Statesville Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078.  Being the Charlotte native that I am I had to throw this one in there.  This is an eclectic type of restaurant with GREAT food that’s fairly inexpensive.  Lupie’s in Charlotte is a well known and very well established place, this one is a smaller version.

Pic-Nik’s located at 510 River Hwy, Suite 13, Mooresville, NC 28117 – this is a great diner to stop in and have breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Very nice folks – a newer local favorite!

The Soda Shop located at 104 South Main St., Davidson, NC 28036 – favorite place for Davidson College students, alumni and visitors since 1951.  Nostalgic atmosphere with great food.

 

Mid-Level Dining

Bonefish Grill located at 8805 Townley Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078

The Brickhouse Tavern located at 209 Delburg St., Davidson, NC 28036 – located in the 120 year old Davidson Cotton Mill, offers a unique ambiance of nostalgia with a contemporary flair.

Brixx Woodfired Pizza located at 16915 Birkdale Commons Pkwy, Huntersville, NC – overlooks the sidewalk activity of Birkdale Village.

Campania Cafe and Itialian Market located at 416 South Main St., Davidson, NC 28036 – features authentic Italian cuisine

La Unica mexican restaurant located at 16203 Northcross Dr., Huntersville, NC 28078

 

Fine Dining

131 Main located at 17830 N. Statesville Rd., Cornelius, NC 28031

Caruso’s located at 631 Brawley School Rd., Suite 405, Mooresville, NC 28117 – don’t let the location fool you.  This restaurant is set inside of an older shopping center but is VERY nice and offers a great fine dining experience.

Epic Chop House located at 104 South Main St., Mooresville, NC 28115

The Melting Pot located at 16625 Statesville Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078 – Fondue restaurant

 

About Us

My mission is simple - to provide you with the very best service possible.  After all, from beginning to end the whole process of buying or selling a home is about you and your needs.  I will do everything I can to make sure you not only get the best … Read more...

Recent Blog Posts

Calculate your mortgage

Loan Calculator Mortgage Calculator
Mortgage CalculatorLoan CalculatorLoan Calculator

$

years

%

Web Analytics