first time home buyer – owner loan

January 7, 2011

First Time Home Buyer Stimulus

Sonia Less asked:




The first time homebuyer stimulus is a recently approved Tax Credit bill. The proposed $15,000 homebuyer tax credit between the House and the Senate did not prosper, but recently President Barack Obama signed into law a smaller measure to help revive the real estate market.

The tax credit for first time homebuyers is equivalent to getting a tax return of $8,000.00. This works great if you do not owe any money from the government and you usually get a tax return. When you purchase a home for the first time, the government is going to send you a tax refund of $8,000.00.

This is only good for the year 2009, so if you are planning to buy a home, do it now to avail of this tax credit refund.

Who can qualify for this? Below is some further information of the First Time Home Buyer Stimulus Tax Credit.

1. All US Citizens who file for taxes can qualify. First time homebuyers mean that he or she has not owned a residence for at least three years before purchasing a house. The date of transfer is considered the actual date of purchase.

2. Only homebuyers who purchase a home between January 1 and December 1, 2009 can qualify for the credit. Those who purchase a home before the specified date will not be able to avail of it.

3. The home purchased must be used as the main or principal residence. This includes all kinds of houses such as townhouses, single-family detached homes, manufactured homes or mobile homes, condominiums and houseboats. The home buyers must live in the home for the next three years to fully take advantage of the tax credit.

4. The cost of the home should be at least $80,000.00 or more. According to the plan, a homebuyer receives ten percent of the home purchase. To receive the full $8,000.00 credit, the home should be bought for $80,000 or above. Married couples who file separately will receive a maximum of $4,000.00.

5. The tax credit has income limits attached to it. To qualify for the full credit, single buyers must have a gross income of $75,000.00 or less and $150,000.00 or less for married ones. Those earning more may qualify only for reduced credits.

6. The tax credit is refundable, so buyers can take full advantage of it even if they have lesser tax liability.

7. In order to capitalize on the credit, buyers have to maintain ownership of the home for at least three years. This means that you do not sell your home within those years. If you do sell before the three-year term is up, then you have to return the credit back to the government. There are exceptions however, such as divorce or death.

If you qualify, you can claim for the tax credit when you file your income tax return. For the tax credit, you can claim when you file your income tax return. Take into consideration that when you purchase a home this year, you will only see it reflected after you file your income tax in April 2010.

Jeanette

December 16, 2010

Federal Housing Tax Credit explained

NAHBTV asked:


Congress Enacts Bigger and Better Home Buyer Tax Credit A tax credit of up to $8000 is now available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Unlike the tax credit enacted in 2008, the new credit does not have to be repaid.

Erica

August 23, 2009

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension: More Fuel for the Charleston, SC Market

Lee Keadle asked:


We’ve had great news in the housing market this past week!  The $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit will be extended through April 30, 2010.  This extension is good news especially for first time home buyers taking advantage of the credit.

 

But, even if you don’t qualify for it, know that you should benefit indirectly from it.  It’s been a very effective incentive for getting homes sold in Charleston, and as Realtors we’ve seen the results firsthand in our area.  The extension is expected to help continue the healthy growth that we’ve seen in the Charleston real estate market in the past few months.

 

I have included below more of the details regarding the tax credit extension.  These are important to note because this go round, there are more provisions to meet compared to the original tax credit.

 

1)  The IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence for the three years prior to purchase.

 

2)  The amount is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000.

 

3)  The purchase price of the home must be $800,000 or less.

 

4)  The time frame includes sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, if a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a buyer can still qualify if he/she closes by June 30, 2010.  Buyers who are in the military have some special extensions for these deadlines, so be sure to tell your lender if you meet this qualification.

 

5)  For homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009:  single tax payers must meet the income limit of $75,000 (for married couples filing jointly, their income must not exceed $150,000).

6)  For homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010:  single tax payers must not exceed the income limit of $125,000 (married couples filing jointly must not exceed $225,000).

7)  The main benefit of a tax credit is that it works as a dollar-for-dollar benefit.  If it were a tax deduction, it would only reduce your tax liability and would only save you $1,000 to $1,500 in the long run. So, let’s say you are a first time home buyer qualifying for the entire credit.  If you owe $8,000 in income taxes qualify for a tax credit of $8,000, you would owe nothing.

8)  The tax credit is also refundable, which means you can receive a check for the credit if you have little or no income tax liability. So, let’s say you are eligible for a tax credit of $8,000, and you owe $3,000 in income taxes.  You can still receive a check for the remaining $5,000!



Brad

April 29, 2009

The Federal Government’s First Time Home Buyer Stimulus Package

Bryan Hendersen asked:


ver been tougher to own a home than in this economy, but the Federal Government is working to help first time home buyers. Offering new programs to and incentives to help you make your dream a reality.

The program is to get people to apply for home loans on pre owned homes or homes in the new construction phase. The homes that are in the construction phase alone will help many people get back to work.

There are three benefits to this program which include, Tax credits, down payment assistance, and lower interest rates.

The government started working on these programs in 2008. Trying change the outcome of the upcoming real crisis.

The upside is that a person buying a home between January 1,2009 and December 1, 2009 may qualify for a tax credit. The tax credit can be up to 10 percent, which in turn could be up to $8,000.00.

You can claim the credit the year you bought the home, or take the credit within the first two years which ever best for the buyer. To qualify for the tax credit your single person income cannot exceed $75,000, but joint ownership allows for $150,000.

The government may also be able to help with a reduced down payment. The typical down payment on a house is ten percent or more of the value of the home, which can a road block to many home buyers.

You may even qualify for these programs to create a source of income. Such rental or lease property. Maintenance on rentals properties is often tax deductible.

The government wants to help create economic growth. So with the First Time Buyers program you could stimulate growth, create jobs and best of all realize your dream of becoming a home owner.

Charles

April 25, 2009

Qualify for the First-Time Home Buyer Stimulus

Roby Pagong asked:


First time home buyers can now enjoy tax credit. The government is currently offering this. The home buyer can enjoy as much as $8,000 tax credit. However, not everyone is qualified. If you have purchased a property this year, verify if you qualify for the said program. If you want to find out if you qualify, keep on reading.

The initial thing you have to keep in mind about this stimulus is that it is established for the first time home buyers. This is for those who have purchased their principal residence from January 1, 2009 up to December 1, 2009.

As stated earlier, this are for the first time home buyers who have purchased a principal residence during the period indicated. This means that home purchases made in 2008 is not covered by the program. The date of the purchase is the date of the date of the closing, which is the actual transfer of the property ownership. If you acquired the property in a different manner, consult a financial adviser to verify on how you can benefit from this arrangement.

You also have to be a first time home buyer in order to qualify. However, who is the first time home buyer? You are considered as one if you have not purchased a principal property in the last three years. You cannot be qualified as one if you have just purchased a principal property a year or two ago. You can still qualify though if the purchase you made concerns a vacation home or an investment property.

You should also take note of the income limit. The program has set limits as to who can qualify for the said program. For singles, the adjusted gross income should not be more than $75,000. Couples on the other hand, who are joint filers, should not exceed $150,000 on their adjusted gross income.

The tax credit is usually 10% of the value of the purchased property or the $8,000, whichever value is lower. Bear in mind that the tax credit is refundable. This means that you can claim it even if your tax liability is not that much. You should also remember that the said credit can be collected by the government back. This happens if you lose ownership of the property before reaching the third year mark. This means that you should have ownership of the property for at least three years. There are exempted cases though, such as health concerns and divorce.

Do not worry if you have filed your tax return early this year because you can amend it by filling up the 1040x form. It is best to talk to a tax adviser to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to amend your tax return.

As an added bonus, the HUD has authorized buyers with a mortgage insured by the FHA to avail of a short term loan amounting to as much as $8,000. This way, they can make use of the tax credit even if they have not filed their tax return yet.

Now is the best time to purchase a home. The price of the properties and the interest rates are low. Additionally, there are programs like the tax credit offered by the government.



Robin

April 23, 2009

When does the 3-year window begin and end when re-qualifying as a first time home buyer?

jeff b asked:


It’s been three years since the date I settled the sale of my last home. Am I now eligible for the first time home buyer credit, or are the three years full calendar years from January 1 – January 1? Below is all I can find on the matter:

“If you haven’t owned a principal residence (a location where you spend more than 50% of your time) in the past 3 years you also constitute what we call a first-time homebuyer.”

Jacqueline

Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress
web meeting | airline travel | webinar software | identity theft blog