News video regarding home buyer tax credit.
Posts Tagged ‘tax credit’
Singles benefit more from housing tax credit – video
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010Housing tax credits – 58 days to go!
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010Homebuyers have 58 days to obtain a written, binding contract to qualify for the housing tax credits. First-time buyers and buyers who have not owned a primary residence for the past 3 years qualify for an $8,000 tax credit (or 10% percent of the sales price, whichever is less) so long as they are under contract by April 30, 2010 and close on the home by July 1, 2010. Homebuyers who have owned a primary residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years qualify for a $6,500 tax credit. The home being purchased in either scenario must be a primary residence.
Income limits are very generous for those who buy between now until April 30, 2010:
- $125,000 – single (Additional $20,000 phase out)
- $225,000 – married (Additional $20,000 phase out)
While the $8,000 tax credit is getting a lot of use, Realtors are seeing very few existing homeowners taking advantage of the $6,500 tax credit.
The housing tax credits were extended under the H.R. 3548 Worker Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009
DHW asks: Will you take advantage of the housing tax credits?
IRS releases new tax rebate form for recent home purchases
Sunday, January 17th, 2010The IRS released its long awaited tax rebate form 5405 for buyers who closed on a home after November 6, 2009.
DHW asks: Will you use the new form 5405 to requisition your tax credit?
Tax Credits: extra perks for armed service and foreign service personnel
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009Press release explaining housing tax credits benefits for the armed service, intelligence service and foreign service personnel (National Association of Realtors).
“SAN DIEGO – Nov. 13, 2009 – According to the National Association of Realtors@ (NAR), the recent homebuyer tax credit extension expands benefits for the U.S. military.
Armed service, intelligence service and foreign service personnel on active duty and out of the U.S. for 90 days during any part of 2009 get an additional year to buy their homes – to May 1, 20ll.
Another benefit is a waiver on the time of occupancy. Most homebuyers using the tax credit must use that home as a principal residence for a period of no fewer than three years or forfeit the entire credit. But military, intelligence and foreign service members do not have to repay the credit if they sell their home in less than three years if they move because of official business.
“NAR is the leading advocate for private property and homeownership issues, and firmly believes that those who are in service to their country should be full participants in the homebuyer tax credit law,” says NAR President Charles McMillan. “These men and women are often hindered by hardships from full participation in the American dream of homeownership because their duty disrupts them in the buying and selling of a home.” NAR was a main advocate for the homebuyer’s tax credit extension into 2010 and its expansion to include present homeowners.
Under the tax credit extension, eligible first-time homebuyers can get a tax credit up to $8,000. Current homeowners are eligible for a $6,500 tax credit, provided they have lived in the home they are selling, or have sold, as their principal residence for five consecutive years in the past eight years.
Income limits for eligible homebuyers are expanded to $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples. The purchase price of the home cannot exceed $800,000. To help guard against fraud, buyers are required to attach documentation of purchase to their tax return.”
Real estate market entering hibernation
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009Analysts are forecasting a slow winter for home sales. In addition to the bitterly cold weather much of the nation is encountering this season, experts feel the extended tax credits and slightly higher interest rates will keep home sales (and prices) on ice. Sales are expected to come back to life next spring.
DHW asks: Will you purchase a home this season?
Realtors: October pending sales up 3.7 percent
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009The National Association of Realtors reported its seasonally adjusted index of sales agreements inched up 3.7 percent from September to October to 114.1. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters predicted the index would sink to 109.5.
The housing industry’s index represents offers written and accepted for existing properties. All parts of the country saw a year-over-year increase in pending home sales.
Housing tax credits and record low interest rates are credited with boosting sales. First-time homebuyers qualify for a tax credit of up to $8,000, while those who have owned their current home for at least five years qualify for a tax credit of up to $6,500. Buyers must have a signed sales agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by the end of June 2010 to qualify.
DHW asks: Will you take advantage of the houisng tax credits?
The South will rise again, but in a good way.
Monday, November 16th, 2009A survey released last week by Move.com, a real estate website, shows 1 in 5 Americans plan on purchasing a home within the next year. The survey also revealed these buyers are most likely to be 34 years of age or younger and live in the South or West.
It should be noted this survey was taken before the housing tax credit extensions were announced.
DHW asks: Do you intend to buy a home within the next year?
Realtors forecast uptick in home prices 2010
Saturday, November 14th, 2009Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, predicted on Friday that home prices will rise in 2010. If his prediction holds true, home prices will see their first increase in four years.
Yun pointed to the current price-income ratio of 2.4 as evidence of pent-up demand in the market. The price-income ratio accelerated from a norm of 2.6 in 1984-2001 to 3.3 in 2005. This means the price-income ratio has dipped below its pre-bubble rate.
The housing tax credit extension is also seen as a contributing factor to rising homes prices next year.
DHW asks: Do you think home prices will rise in 2010?
Foreclosures down but not out
Thursday, November 12th, 2009U.S. foreclosures sank for a third consecutive month in October, down 3% from the previous month. However, many feel this trend will not continue. Foreclosure notices were curtailed in many states due to temporary, legislative intervention. CNBC reported Nevada foreclosures “dropped 26 percent from the previous month because of new legislation requiring mediation before initiating foreclosure proceedings.” Illinois had similar legislation, but foreclosure notices skyrocketed there 56% in October from the previous month.
States leading in foreclosure:
- Nevada
- California
- Florida
- Arizona
- Idaho
DHW asks: Are foreclosures down in your area?