Category: Tax Credit Extended

Congress Extends Homebuyer Tax Credit & Flood Insurance Program

By Debbie James, July 1, 2010

Congress has announced they have passed a bill extending the $8,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline to September 30, 2010. This extension only applies to transactions executed by April 30, 2010, and have not yet closed. The President still needs to sign the bill. For additional information on the tax credit deadline, click HERE.

Additionally, Congress has extended the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through September 30th.  The bill is retroactive and will cover the lapse period from June 1, 2010, to the date the law is enacted. Why is this important? If you are purchasing a property, in a designated flood zone, and you are obtaining a mortgage, you won’t be able to close without a flood insurance policy. This is the 4th extension Congress has approved since the debate continues over how to pay for the debt from the 2005 hurricane season.  Click HERE for additional information.

Insurance can be tricky and overwhelming if you don’t know what to ask your insurance agent. This 2-page brochure has some questions you can ask your insurance agent and also some basic information on flood insurance.

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended

By Debbie James, November 10, 2009

news_announcementWASHINGTON – Nov. 6, 2009 – President Obama signed into law an extension, and adjustment, of the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers. The extension adds money for certain move-up buyers; creates one deadline for signing a contract and a later deadline for closing; changes income requirements; and limits a purchased home’s cost to $800,000.

John Sebree, Florida Realtors vice president of public policy, says “Florida residents enjoy two additional advantages. The Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program (FHOP), created by the Florida Legislature earlier this year, still has approximately $28 million that first-time homebuyers can access and use toward their downpayment. And move-up buyers now have the ability to ‘port’ their current property tax savings to a new home.”

First-time homebuyers
Most details for first-time homebuyers mirror the rules currently in existence. The maximum tax credit remains $8,000 ($4,000 for married individuals filing separately), and anyone who has not owned a home within three years is considered a “first-time buyer.”

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