Palos Heights-Palos Hills-Palos Park-Oak Lawn
Chicago and Suburban Real Estate    
Brenda Kasprzyk
 
Brenda Kasprzyk

Why You Should Buy A Home NOW

 

Those Who Wait Will Pay Thousands More This Spring

Waiting a few extra days or weeks to purchase a home this spring could cost buyers thousands of extra dollars as the office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) implements several changes for loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

Coming just weeks before the April 30 deadline for the Home Buyer Tax Credit and just days after the March 31 expiration of the Federal Reserve Board's mortgage backed securities purchase program (which has kept home loan rates artificially low for over a year), these FHA changes make it even more important to act now to save big.

Here are a few reasons why:

On April 5th, the cost of required up-front mortgage insurance for loans guaranteed by the FHA will increase from 1.75% to 2.25%. For a borrower purchasing a $200,000 home with a $7,000 down payment, the up-front mortgage insurance will increase by $965. Up-front mortgage insurance is typically financed in the final loan amount so the impact to a monthly payment will be minimal but overall, the increase is still borne by the borrower both upfront and monthly.

Later this spring, the amount of money that a seller can return to the buyer from their sale proceeds will be reduced from 6% to 3%. The reduction in these "seller concessions" can increase the amount of cash a buyer will be required to pay at closing by $6,000 for a home purchase of $200,000.

There is only one way to avoid being affected by all of these costly changes that lie ahead - submit all FHA mortgage applications by the last week of March.

 call me. I appreciate your business.

Brenda Kasprzyk

Century 21

708.945.2178
 

 

New Homeowners Tax Refunds

 

Get the Basics on The Home Buyers Tax Credit Extended Upgrades

The Home Buyers Tax Credit for 2009 was for first time home buyers that purchased a residential home till Dec. 1 2009.  But the Extended version has made it possible for others to qualify till April 30, 2010.

The Extended version Of the Home Buyers Tax Credit - you now may qualify if you didn't before.  The income level has risen and no longer is it limited to first time home buyers. 

 Which Properties Are Eligible?

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

How Much Is Available?

The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000.
The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.

Pay Rate to Qualify?  Effective Nov. 7, 2009
Wage earnings for a Single Income has jumped to 125,000
Wage earnings for Family Income has jumped to 225,000.

Do you have to be a first time Home Buyer?
No! 
First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010 still can qualify for the 8,000 Home Buyers Tax Credit. But Home owners purchasing a home can now qualify too.
 
I own a home - can I qualify for the Tax Credit?

  • Yes! Current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutiveyears within the last eight.  With this Extended Version to the Tax Credit, you may be eligable for 6,500 tax credit.

    • If the Buyer(s)' Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?

Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.

The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income-over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

Can a Buyer Still Qualify If He/She Closes After April 30, 2010?

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, as long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close.

Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?

No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount credit will be recouped on the sale.
 

 Congress has now extended and expanded.  The summary of changes and additions are:

 

  • Extended to April 30th 2010
  • Expanded to include current homeowners - limited to $6500 with eligibility requirements
  • All programs end on April 30th 2010 - Binding date must before this date

 
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