Real Estate Information Archive

The extension of the home buyer tax credit until April 30, 2010 and the inclusion of a tax credit for some existing Los Angeles home owners is causing many fence-sitters to decide that NOW is the time to take the plunge and buy a home. There is some preparation involved, however. Below are 10 steps you need to take to prepare for Los Angeles home ownership: 

1. Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.

2. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list.

3. Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you'd like to live in, taking into account items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety.

4. Start saving. Do you have enough money saved to qualify for a mortgage and cover your down payment?  Ideally, you should have 20 percent of the purchase price saved as a down payment. Also, don't forget to factor in closing costs. Closing costs - including taxes, attorney's fee, and transfer fees - average between 2 and 7 percent of the home price.

5. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report to make sure it is accurate and to correct any errors immediately. A credit report provides a history of your credit, bad debts, and any late payments.

6. Determine your mortgage qualifications.How large of mortgage do you qualify for? Also, explore different loan options - such as 30-year or 15-year fixed mortgages or ARMs - and decide what's best for you.

7. Get preapproved. Organize all the documentation a lender will need to pre-approve you for a loan. You might need W-2 forms, copies of at least one pay stub, account numbers, and copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements.

8. Weigh other sources of help with a down payment. Do you qualify for any special mortgage or down payment assistance programs? Check with your state and local government on down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers. Or, if you have an IRA account, you can use the money you've saved to buy your fist home without paying a penalty for early withdrawal.

9. Calculate the costs of home ownership. This should include property taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities, and association fees, if applicable.

10. Contact a REALTOR®. Find an experienced REALTOR® who can help guide you through the process.  That's me! Contact me and together we'll find your dream home!

And don't forget, in many cases the tax credit can be used towards your down payment and closing costs!

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The $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit was scheduled to expire in just a few short weeks…Nov 30, 2009. However, the Senate voted unanimously to extend the credit on Monday and the House of Representatives approved the extension yesterday afternoon by a vote of 403-12. The extension now also includes a tax credit for "move-up" home buyers. The bill now goes to the President for his signature, which is expected to happen today.

Home Buyer Tax Credit Expansion and Extension  

• The $8,000 tax credit will be extended and available for first-time home buyers through May 1, 2010.  Income limits are expanded to $125,000 for single tax payers and 225,000 on a joint return.
• A new $6,500 tax credit will be available for "move-up" buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009, and May 1, 2010. To qualify, buyers must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years.
• Prospective buyers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction.
• Limitation on the cost of a purchased home is $800,000. 

If you know anyone looking to buy their first Los Angeles home at a time when prices and interest rates are still low, or if you are thinking of buying another Los Angeles home and getting the new $6,500 credit please contact me today.

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The California Association of Realtors is encouraging legistators to extend the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit which is scheduled to expire November 30, 2009. Read the full story:

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 23) – The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) today called for the U.S. Senate to swiftly adopt the Dodd-Lieberman-Isakson amendment, which would extend and amplify the hugely successful first-time home buyer tax credit until June 30, 2010.

“The success of the home buyer tax credit and its positive impact on the real estate market is clear,” said C.A.R. President James Liptak. “According to our research, nearly 40 percent of first-time buyers said they would not have purchased a home if the federal tax credit for first-time home buyers was not offered. This underscores the significance of the federal tax credit to the housing market’s recovery in California.

“The Dodd-Lieberman-Isakson amendment would expand the credit by removing the first-time buyer requirement and instead would apply to all home buyers,” he said. “The amendment also would increase the qualifying income limits to $150,000 for single buyers and $300,000 for those filing joint income tax returns.

“We urge Senators Feinstein and Boxer to demonstrate their support for home buyers in California and quickly adopt the Dodd-Lieberman-Isakson amendment,” Liptak said.

Under additional provisions in the Dodd-Lieberman-Isakson amendment, taxpayers would be able to claim the credit on purchases completed in 2010 on their 2009 income tax returns. The amendment maintains the provision that home buyers do not have to repay the credit provided the home remains their primary residence for 36 months after purchase, and waives this requirement for active duty military personnel who move due to a military order.

Leading the way…® in California real estate for more than 100 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States, with nearly 163,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.

Contact me to learn how you can get your $8000 tax credit!

Time is running out on the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit. Here are some things to remember:

• It is a tax credit to home buyers, not a loan.
  
• It is only for first time home buyers, defined as someone who has not had an ownership interest in a principle residence in the 3 year period prior to the date of the 2009 purchase.
  
• You must remain in the home for a minimum of 3 years.
  
• It is applicable to purchases between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.
  
• Full credit is available to those with adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less ($150,000 for married filing jointly). The credit is phased out entirely for those with adjusted gross income over $95,000 ($170,000 for married filing jointly).

Don't miss out! You must close on your Los Angeles home prior to December 1. Give me a call today and I will help you get started.

Learn more about the $8,000 tax credit and buying Los Angeles homes by visiting EileenWalshRealtor.com.

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Short on cash and having difficulty saving the down payment for your Los Angeles home? Now you can use your $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit for your down payment. This exciting news was announced at the National Association of Realtors mid-year meeting on Wednesday by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Shaun Donovan. Read the announcement below and give me a call to take advantage of this incredible opportunity:

Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said that the
Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow homeowners to use the $8,000 tax credit as a downpayment.

Donovan’s remarks came in an address to several thousand Realtors^® gathered this morning at The Real Estate Summit: Advancing the U.S. Economy, a special daylong session at the Realtors^® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo here.

Secretary Donovan said that important changes, which the National Association of Realtors^® has been calling for, will help consumers purchase a home. “We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so that the cash can be used as a downpayment,” Donovan said. According to Donovan, the FHA’s approved lenders will be permitted to “monetize” the tax credit through short-term bridge loans. This will allow eligible home buyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table.

Donovan said the Obama administration plans to further stabilize the housing market. “I do think we have some early signs hat the market overall is stabilizing,” said Donovan. “Since January we’ve seen both home sales moving up and down around a relatively stable number and we are seeing the first signs that the rapid decline in home prices is starting to abate.”

NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth, said, “As the leading advocate for housing issues and homeownership, NAR continues to take a leadership role in promoting ideas for improving our economy by stabilizing the housing and real estate markets. Today we have the best of the best to begin a dialogue, develop solutions and initiate action toward real estate and economic recovery.”

The morning session included a panel discussion that was moderated by CNBC’s Ron Insana. The 13 panelists and Realtors^® in attendance examined cutting-edge solutions necessary to promote and preserve homeownership and real estate development, stimulate the economy, and protect the nation’s taxpayers. They also shared their ideas on what the role and responsibility of the federal government is in the revitalization effort.

The list of distinguished panelists include Dr. Martin Feldstein, professor of Economics from Harvard University; Dr. Barry Bluestone, professor of Political Economy from Northeastern University; John Taylor, CEO of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition; Maria Kong, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers; and Sarah Rosen Wartell, executive vice president for the Center for American Progress.

“Right now the Federal Reserve is the market,” said Jay Brinkman, chief economist for the Mortgage Bankers Association. “What will be the effect when the Fed stops buying?” Brinkman explained that an exit strategy must be planned for the long-term; the federal government cannot continue to support the mortgage markets indefinitely.

“We must make sure FHA and the GSEs are supported,” added the Wharton School’s Susan Wachter.

“We are thrilled that so many high-caliber individuals were able to join us today at this important meeting to promote stability in the housing market and the U.S. economy,” McMillan said. “We look forward to an ongoing dialogue and action toward this goal, during our midyear meetings this week and beyond.”

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$8000 First Time Los Angeles Home Buyer Tax Credit Chart