Austin Real Estate Broker Reminds First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Expires
Sunday, July 11th, 2010
Austin Real Estate Agent Warns That $8000 Tax Credit is Set to Expire.
Austin real estate broker and author Kenn Renner reminds first time homebuyers that the $8000 federal tax credit will expire November 30th, 2009. In February 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recover and Reinvestment Act of 2009. One of the key components of the act was the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. Basically, a gift from the federal government to be allocated to qualified first time homebuyers. The act has been received favorably by consumers, real estate professionals, and homebuilders. The National Association of Realtors recently reported that 53% of todays homebuyers are first timers. Experts give credit, in part, to the $8000 tax credit. Low interest rates and low prices have also played a big part in the home buying activity.
Buying a first home at the right time is always a good move, comments Kenn Renner, real estate expert with Keller Williams Realty. Homebuyers just need to realize that the tax gift is going away and that now is the time to take action, he added.
Just as the cash for clunkers program recently expired, the first time homebuyers tax credit is set to expire. The deadline is Monday, November 30th. This day is the Monday after the Thanksgiving Day Holidays. Title companies, escrow companies, and mortgage companies have been alerting the real estate community and their clientele to not wait until the last minute to close on a home as they will be overwhelmed with home buyers trying to beat the deadline.
I have heard some title companies mention they will need purchase contracts in by late October to ensure they have plenty of time to meet the deadline, Kenn explains. There is no grace period there is talk that the government may continue the program, but right now we cannot assume any date except the current deadline that is stated in the law.
In Austin, as in other cities, this has created a flurry of activity, even creating a sellers market in many markets in the first time homebuyer price range. Well priced properties in good areas under $200,000 are flying off the shelf, mentions Kenn. At this point, I have been encouraging home renters to consider purchasing the home they are currently renting. This has been a good strategy for all involved. Often times, the landlords are ready to sell and the buyers can get the $8000 credit and not have to move its a win-win!
Down payment assistance programs are being offered by many government agencies including county and state bond programs. Many programs are now available to first timers that combine the $8000 tax credit along with zero down and those with lower credit scores. This is a perfect opportunity to buy your first home with the help of government assistance.
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