first time home buyer – owner loan

March 23, 2011

Learn About the First Time Home Buyer Credit

Lokesh Nagpal asked:




There are a host of financial incentives provided by the federal government to encourage people to purchase their own home. The most important and biggest of these is the one included in the Worker, Home ownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009. In accordance with the provisions of this act, an amount of USD 8000 is extended as a tax credit amount to qualified first time home buyers. It is big monetary benefit to the first time home buyers since one does not have to repay this amount until and unless the property is sold or is not used as principle residence of the beneficiary who claimed the tax credit.

What are the necessary conditions to be fulfilled in order to be eligible to avail this tax credit? In accordance with the IRS definition, a first time home buyer is a person who has not purchased a residence during the immediate three years preceding his purchase. Income levels of single buyers and married couples have been stipulated above which the tax credit is not available. For properties purchased between the periods Jan 1, 2009 to November 05 2009, the maximum income level of a single buyer has to be less than USD 75,000 and in case of couples who are joint holders, the income levels cannot exceed USD 150,000. Similarly for sale transactions executed from November 06 2009 to April 30, 2010, maximum income level could be USD 125,000 and USD 250,000 for single buyers and couples respectively. You can file for availing a joint credit only in case either spouse has not purchased a home within the last three years. The couple still has the option of taking a credit by purchasing the house as a single buyer in the name of the spouse who has not purchased a house in the last three years.

Some important points that you need to note about the first time home buyer credit include the fact that the amount of tax credit available depends upon the property price The tax credit available equals ten percent of the property purchase price with 8000 USD being the maximum amount that can be claimed. The other key point to be noted that not all homes purchased would qualify for this rebate. Only those houses with a maximum price of USD 800,000 would be considered for granting home buyer credit. To be included in the list of beneficiaries you have to ensure that you purchase a home by April 30, 2010, sign the necessary contract papers and complete the sale by June 30, 2010 in order to be eligible under this scheme.

The process of making a claim for the home buyer credit is easy. Submit two statements namely the HUD-1 settlement statement and the IRS from 5405 and walk away with a maximum credit of USD 8000 provided you fulfill the eligibility conditions stipulated by the federal government. IRS allows all those people who buy a home in 2010 to file an amendment to their 2009 tax return and stake their claim.

Colleen

December 31, 2009

First Time Home Buyer Credit – Qualifying Criteria and Restrictions

Safiur Rahman asked:


If you are looking to buy your first home in the near future, it is likely that you have heard about the first time home buyer stimulus program which offers you a tax credit of up to 10% on the purchase price of your home (up to $8000) if you purchase by April 30th of next year. You are probably also familiar with the basic qualifying criteria like not having purchased a home as your “primary residence” in the three years prior to your current purchase and being within certain income limits. There are, however, certain lesser known restrictions and exceptions surrounding the regulations that could impact your eligibility. Failing to be aware of these provisions could result in an unpleasant experience with you being denied the credit or required to repay it. Conversely, if you meet certain conditions, the law may make certain exceptions that allow you to receive the credit even if you normally wouldn’t qualify.

Firstly, you must keep in mind that this program is designed to assist genuine first time home buyers who are purchasing a home as their primary residence. House flipping is not encouraged. The law requires that you maintain the home you buy as your primary residence for at least three years following your purchase. If at any point during that period your home ceases to be your primary residence (such as if you decide to sell it), then the credit must be repaid. Exceptions may apply to members of the armed services, intelligence community, and the Foreign Service who are under government orders for extended duty service. Next, you do not qualify for the credit if you bought the home from a close family member such as spouse, parent, grandparent, or child. You also cannot claim the credit if you are a minor or non resident alien. Residents living in the District of Columbia who have claimed the Washington D.C. first time home buyer credit also do not qualify. There is some good news for you, however, if you are a member of the armed services, Foreign Service, or intelligence community serving overseas. If this describes your current situation, then you have an additional year to purchase your home. This means that you have until April 30th, 2011 to enter into a binding agreement and until June 30th, 2011 to close on your purchase.

Although the basic qualification criteria surrounding the first time home buyer credit are relatively simple, the devil does indeed lie in the details. Make sure you avoid disappointments and missed opportunities by doing all your research and staying up to date on the latest developments.



Benjamin

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

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