Homeownership's Lifetime Benefits

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit 2009

2009-02-17T18:31:33-07:00

President Obama has now signed the recent economic stimulus bill (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009). This bill continues the housing incentive for the First-Time Tax Credit that was a part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 but with some very significant changes. The credit is designed to encourage those buyers that are waiting on the sidelines to go ahead and make the leap to purchase their first homes. Combine this tax credit with the fact that home prices and interest rates are at historical lows, and it is indeed an ideal time for many first-time homebuyers to purchase a home!

Here are some things to keep in mind:

A first time home buyer is defined as someone who has not owned a home in the last three years
Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit
You cannot purchase the home from a related party like a spouse, direct ancestor, or direct lineal descendent (child or grandchild); however, you can still qualify for the credit if you purchase a property from siblings, nephews, nieces, and others
If you are married, both spouses must be first-time home buyers
If more than one unmarried individual is buying the property, the credit can be split up among all the individuals who qualify. However, the total credit taken cannot exceed $7,500 for homes purchased in 2008 and $8,000 for homes purchased in 2009

For Homes Purchased Between April 9, 2008 and December 31, 2008

The credit amounts to 10% of the purchase price of the home not to exceed $7,500
The tax credit works like an interest free loan and must be repaid over a 15 year period

For Homes Purchased Between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009

The credit amounts to 10% of the purchase price of the home not to exceed $8,000
The tax credit does not need to be paid back if you continue living in the home as your primary residence for three years without selling it

How does a tax credit work?
A tax credit is a special provision that reduces income tax liability on a dollar for dollar basis. When filing a tax return, you must include income items, deduction items and the number of exemptions, among other things, to figure your total tax liability. For example, if your total tax liability for the year is $8,000, and you qualify for the full $8,000 tax credit, this credit would wipe out all of the tax due. If your employer already deducted the $8,000 from your pay checks throughout the year, you would receive a tax refund of $8,000. If you owe less than $8,000 in taxes for the year, you are still eligible for the full $8,000 credit when you file your tax returns. In that case, the IRS will write you a check for the difference between $8,000 and your actual tax bill.

For more information about the first-time home buyer tax credit or other recent updates to the mortgage and real estate markets, just give me a call. I would be happy to assist you with your mortgage in the purchase of your new home!

REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY IN 2009

2009-02-06T13:25:01-07:00

The recent normalization of the real estate market has created a strong buyer’s market, particularly for first-time buyers and real estate investors who don’t have to wait for their home to sell before taking advantage of lower prices and increased choices.

NEW TAX CREDITS FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS

First-time homebuyers, defined as people who haven’t owned a home in the past three years, are eligible to receive up to $7,500 in tax credits, based on a joint filing couple earning less than $150,000 annual income. Individuals earning less that $75,000 can receive up to $3,750. The tax credit is actually a zero interest loan that is repayable over 15 years. The credit applies to homes purchased up to July 1,2009

INTEREST RATES ARE LOW

Thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) have been hovering around 5.5 percent for the past several months, representing the most stable period for interest rates in the past 40 years. Rates are expected to stay low for the near future.

REFINANCING REMAINS POPULAR

Freddie Mac reports that home loan refinances account for approximately 60 percent of total loan applications. Since 2001, the average of a loan prior to refinance was 2.7 years. Due to the unpredictability of adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), more people are switching to more stable FRMs. Of the ARMs that were refinanced in 2008, 97 percent were switched to FRMs.

LOANS REMAIN AVAILABLE

Although underwriting guidelines have changed and will most likely continue to do so, lenders are still making home loans. The best advice is to:

Reduce or eliminate all credit card debt (note: 30% or lower debt to credit limit ratio is ideal).
Avoid high interest rate loans on consumer purchases.
Build your cash reserves as much as possible.
Raise your credit score as high as possible to get the best loan rate. Note: Only cardholders will have their credit score affected by credit card activity. “Authorized users” on credit cards will no longer be considered.
Be prepared to document your income and assets.

100 PERCENT FINANCING AVAILABLE, RURAL PARTS OF
PHOENIX METRO

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is in the mortgage business and offers 100 percent home mortgages. Some parts of the greater Phoenix Metro area are included within the USDA Rural Development program offering 100% residential funding. Section 502 loans are primarily used to help low-income individuals or households purchase homes in rural areas. Few people including real estate agents and loan officers are aware of this government program.

The major benefits are:

100% mortgage LTV based on the APPRAISED value
Zero down payment and there is no minimum contribution required.
No limit on seller concessions or gift
No mortgage insurance required
No reserves required
30 year fixed rate only
Lenders must be USDA approved.
Low interest rates, (this is not a sub-prime mortgage)
Flexible Credit Guidelines.

Not every home or buyer will qualify for this loan, but if they do they are getting one of the top mortgages with low interest rates on the market right now.

First-time Homebuyers

2009-01-20T09:03:10-07:00

Your decision to buy a home is both a sound financial decision and a commendable achievement. You have many options and I am committed to earning my trust as your real estate agent . .

· I will lead you through every step of the exciting home buying process.

· I will help you define your “wish list’ of features you want in your home, your neighborhood, and your school district.

· I will walk you through the mind-boggling financial details associated with buying a home, including understanding the various mortgages and home buying programs available to you.

· I will monitor all new listings and alert you to new houses as soon as they are put on the market.

· I will eliminate the stress involved with buying a home by putting my years of real estate experience to work for you.

I will . . .

· Work at no cost to you!

· Provide detailed listing information not available to the general public including “short sale and bank owned” properties .

· Negotiate the deal to save you money.

· Guide you through the avalanche of paperwork.

· Commit my time and energy to find you the right home.

Finding the perfect home is my business. Contact me today!

Home-Mortgage Rate Hits Fresh Low, 5.14%

2008-12-30T09:22:40-07:00

By AMY HOAK, Wall Street Journal
Published December 26, 2008

Fixed-rate home mortgage rates fell again this week, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage setting another record low, at least since Freddie Mac began doing its weekly survey in the early 1970s.

Learn more.

HUD Launches web site to increase financial literacy, healthy homeownership

2008-12-18T13:00:53-07:00

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today launched a new, comprehensive website to assist Americans with improving financial literacy, sustaining healthy homeownership and achieving financial security. The My Money, My Home, My Future website provides a range of interactive resources to inform users about the importance of financial literacy, including a Self-Assessment Tool, online games and informative classes. Read More.

It May Be Time to Think About Buying a House

2008-12-10T12:22:01-07:00

By RON LIEBER, The New York Times

Published: December 5, 2008

Five or 10 years from now, when the financial crisis has ended and housing prices are up smartly once more, we will look in the rearview mirror and realize that we missed a golden age for first-time home buyers.................

Your Home Buying Opportunity of a Lifetime, click here to read more.

Mortgage applications surge by record amount

2008-12-03T10:47:57-07:00

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mortgage applications surged by the largest amount on record last week as a new Federal Reserve program pushed interest rates down to their lowest level in more than 3 years, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday. more

30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Rate at Seven-Week Low according to Freddie Mac Weekly Survey

2008-12-01T11:00:28-07:00

McLean, VA – Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today(Nov. 26, 2008) released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.97 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending November 26, 2008, down from last week when it averaged 6.04 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.10 percent.

......"However, declining house prices and low mortgage rates have raised housing affordability in September to the highest level since February of this year, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR)."

Get the whole story from Freddie!

Mortgage Rates Fall as U.S. Expands Rescue

2008-11-26T09:38:48-07:00

Wall Street Journal "U.S. officials pledged to pump another $800 billion into ailing credit markets.......this intervention, the latest in a series of unprecedented government actions, immediately pushed down rates on 30-year mortgages by as much as one-half percentage point. Lower rates could help borrowers looking to refinance or buy homes, and potentially bolster ailing housing markets."

Interest rates this low will bring you off the sidelines!

Learn about the benefits of owning a home

2008-11-16T10:48:14-07:00

According to the National Association of REALTORs(R):

Homeownership is an investment in your future.
On average, owners have seen property values increase by 24.3 percent over the past 6 years despite recent price declines.
Eight of ten economists believe prices will be higher in next 5 years.
Home buyers get $7,500 tax credit until June 30, 2009.
5 to 1 majority of economists say "A person can increase their long term wealth by purchasing a house rather than renting.

Get the FACTS: Housing Market Facts