SI Real Estate Tampa and The Beaches

The deadline is quickly approaching for potential home buyers to complete their first-time home purchases in order to qualify for the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit . Buyers who are eager to take advantage of this government incentive have until November 30th to reach a successful closing on their new home. The average home buying process typically takes 30 to 45 days from the contract date to closing. During that time, inspections must be conducted, the mortgage company must complete an appraisal and all financial documents are required. In order to meet the looming deadline for the tax credit, a home needs to be under contract not much later than October 25th in order to ensure enough time for the mortgage closing process. It's important for people to recognize that the sooner they act, the better. Many first time buyers may not fully understand the time it takes to finalize all the elements of the buying process. In order to avoid additional complications that may slow ...

An Extension Could Mean More Jobs and Stronger Economic Stabilization Home builders, finally seeing positive movement in the housing market, are fighting to extend the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit for an additional year. As members of Congress return home for the August congressional recess, the National Association of Home Builders is urging its more than 200,000 members to contact their lawmakers, asking them to help create more jobs and set the stage for a strong recovery by extending the credit program. "If Congress acts to extend the tax credit program, it would spur 383,000 additional home sales, including 80,000 housing starts, creating nearly 350,000 jobs over the coming year." said the NAHB Chairman Joe Robson. "That's good for the economy and good for America." Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody's Economy.com, says a healthy housing market is one of the leading indicators for an economic recovery. A secure real estate market is a n...

The American Recovery and Reinvestment act of 2009 authorized a tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Any home that will be used as your principal residence qualifies for the tax credit. The law defines a "first-time home buyer" as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-yaer period prior to the purchase. First-time home buyers purchasing any type of home, new or resale, are eligible to receive the tax credit as long as the closing date and title transfer occurs before December 1, 2009. The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home's purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000. The income limit for single taxpayers is $75,000 and $150,000 for a married taxpayers filling a joint return. The money comes in the form of a tax refund, meaning that you will not receive the money until after the house is bought and your 2009 tax return is ...