The first time home buyer tax credit of $8000 is generating a lot of interest among potential Seattle Condo buyers – and a lot of questions.
What’s interesting for all home buyers is the various initiatives in states right now - California just passed a $10000 tax credit for newly constructed homes available to ALL home buyers this year, in addition to the federal $8000 credit for first time home buyers. Delaware is considering mortgage and down payment assistance. Missouri is considering a $1000 credit for all home buyers, which is attached to a jobs bill. And on a more localized level, Philadelphia is offering up to $5000 for 300 new home buyers IF their employer matches the contribution. So far about 180 people have qualified under the Home-Buy-Now program. Philadelphia also has many properties that qualify for a 10 year tax abatement.
Keep watching your state and your city legislators – more help may be on the way.
Some questions that buyers have posed recently:
1. What happened to the federal $7500 credit? Can I claim that AND the $8000 credit too?
No. The $7500 credit can be claimed this year for purchases in 2008 – and it has to be paid back. The $8000 credit is for homes purchased in 2009 – and does not have to be paid back.
2. Who is a first time home buyer?
For the purposes of the $8000 first time home buyer stimulus credit, a first time home buyer is someone who has not owned a home within the past three years.
3. What happened to the $15,000 credit that was being talked about?
In the final stimulus bill, Congress reduced it to $8000, and allowed for credits on vehicle purchases. Many people in the building and real estate professions are lobbying for a full $15,000 credit for all home buyers – across all markets that would be a REAL jump start, especially in those areas where prices have fallen more than 50%. But hey, right now, it is what it is – grab it and go for it.
4. When do I see the money?
When you file your 2010 tax return.
5. What else can I do to get a great deal?
Glad you asked that question. In addition to the tax credits, here at CondoDomain, we encourage you to contact our local realtors to find the best deal that is right for you – and when you get to closing, we give you money back. Yes, we offer a rebate on the commission costs that the seller pays. We charge you a flat fee for buyer representation, and the rest of the commission goes in YOUR pocket at closing – not ours.
If you buy a Seattle condo for $500,000 we negotiate the best deal possible for you. We help you find the best possible mortgage for you. Then, at closing, we cut you a check (based on a price of $500,000) for up to $10,000. Next year, when you file your taxes, claim your tax credit based on your purchase price for additional savings.
Call us today to take advantage of all the great deals on Seattle condos for ALL home buyers. And remember, we’re the people who provide you world class service and give you money back at closing.
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