$8,000 Tax Credit Clock Is Ticking!!

Run do not walk to your closest real estate agent! The deadline for buying a house and getting the $8,000 tax credit is coming! It will be here before you know it!

When is the deadline?

The Deadline is November 30, 2009. You must close on your house by November 30th to get the tax credit. That would mean you would have to have a house under contract by October 31st., as it takes 30 days to close a loan.

Do I qualify?

You cannot have owned a house within the last 3 years.

What are the stipulations?

You need to live in the house for 3 years otherwise you will have to pay the $8,000 back.

There are other grant programs available that you can take advantage of in purchasing a home with little to no money down. Yes, $0 down payment loans and programs do exist. It's not as hard to buy a home as you may think.

Buying a House? Did You Know?

Are you buying a home?

Did you know that you do not have to pay your Real Estate agent and they work for you, and represent you. The seller pays for your agent. How? As a realtor I belong to the multiple listing service and as such have an agreement with my "MLS" to pay the other agent a specified percentage specified on the MLS.

Did you know that if you sign a buyer broker agreement with an agent that you are "with" that agent until the buyer broker agreement expires. You may not enter in to another agreement with another agent.

Did you know that you should look at homes with your agent. Going at it "solo" is not recommend. There are agents who will give you a list an have you do all of your own foot work. Making the appointments, looking at homes. Your agent typically dose this for you. All you need to do is tell you agent which homes you would like to see. Plan a day, or an afternoon, to look at the homes you would like to see.

Did you know houses begin to blend one in to the other after you have seen so many. You start to loose track after 10 houses, sometimes after 5. This is my recommendation, limit it to 10 houses at a time, if time allows. Next, give houses nick names this will help you remember the house. Keep a note book and pen with you, make notes on the print out about the houses. Throw away the print outs of the houses that don't work, it will confuse you.

Did you know your agent can be a huge value to you. Your agent can recommend an amount to offer to the sellers, they can make suggestions. They have experience and are a well spring of knowledge take advantage of it. Ask questions, have your agent make comments, and tell you what they think. They will do the "dirty work". They will negotiate on your behalf, let them be the bad guy.

Did you know their is no such thing as a bad offer. You never know till you try. They only say "no" to the agent.

Did you know you need to get pre-qualified as a buyer. This helps you to know how much house you can afford. If you have any credit issues they can help you there too.

Did you know that there are grant programs still available. You can qualify for any number of these programs and get up to $15,000 towards the purchase of your next home.

If you would like more information please feel free to call or email me.