Helping ordinary people live extraordinary lives through real estate.

Federal Housing Tax Credit FAQ

CB002708

Frequently Asked Questions About the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before [...]

Who qualifies as a first-time home buyer?

Hispanic Family

The law defines a “first-time home buyer” as a person who has not owned a primary residence within three-years prior to the purchase. For married couples, the law tests the homeownership history of both the home buyer and the spouse. For example, if your spouse has not owned a home in the past three years [...]

Federal Tax Credits for Home Buyers Has Been Extended!

Capital Building

President Obama has signed a bill that extends tax credits for first-time homebuyers through April 30, 2010. The extension also opens up opportunities for current home owners. The amended Senate Bill S1678 extends the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence, if the purchase is closed by [...]

Rule of 15 for Home Buyers – Part 1

In many markets, renting a home or apartment is a savvier financial move than buying, since prices can still go way down. What about San Diego? Watch the video to see Carmen Wong Ulrich on Wednesday’s TODAY show explain when — and where — renting makes more sense than buying, and find out more about [...]

Rule of 15 for Home Buyers – Part 2

Continued from Rule of 15 for Home Buyers – Part 1 Know that you have taken the time to watch the Today Show segment here are a few areas that I think fit this perfect example:

More SOLD in June ‘08 than Listed – Good News? Part 3 of 3

Continued from Part 2  The media is now beginning to see what we have been experiencing for months now. Check out these articles: Increasingly Affordable U.S. Housing Markets Matt Woolsey, 07.03.08, 2:20 PM ETWhat a difference a year makes. At the beginning of 2007, San Diego real estate was already in the process of correcting. [...]

More SOLD in June ‘08 than Listed – Good News? Part 2 of 3

Continued from Part 1  I recently discovered several news articles that are also beginning to recognize this ever-so-subtle and very quite change, check it out! On the path to a housing rebound The pain that homeowners and homebuilders are feeling now is a sign that things are going to get better. By Shawn Tully, editor at [...]

More SOLD in June ‘08 than Listed – Good News? Part 1 of 3

Last month, county wide (June 2008), there were a total of 2,456 properties that went pending (newly under contact waiting to close escrow) versus a total of 2,026 new listings that became available during the same time period.What does this mean? For the first time since mid 2005, there were more properties that SOLD versus [...]

Like the NY Giants – FHA is Making A Comeback!

The proposed economic stimulus plan should provide nearly a year of low rate loans for San Diegans buying or refinancing homes.  The House of Representatives and the White House agreed that loans purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be increased for a year from the current cutoff of $417,000.  The plan would also [...]

The Future is looking much brighter than the past – Right?

Jim Cramer said it, so it must be true! Right? Well…. Let’s say mostly. While I agree, “mostly”, with his beautiful rant on Mad Money after the most recent 50 basis point rate cut, realty on the street may not be as rosy. Check out the video. The challenge will be financing. I know he’s [...]