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Archive for the 'First Time Homebuyers' Category

Real Estate Roundtable – How to get your offer accepted.

So you’re prequalified, your down payment is in the bank, your credit is up to snuff. You are ready to buy a house. You find the perfect home, and an investor comes in with cash and snatches it out of your grasp. Frustrating? Definitely. So what can you do differently to increase your chances of getting your offer accepted?

Today I talked to Scott Cooper at Big Valley Mortgage who has some great tips on how to do just that! Take a look:

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, or just need questions answered, call:

Noel Crider
Keller Williams Realty
(530) 305-8409
email: ncrider@kw.com

To get prequalified or learn more about the latest loan programs, call:

Scott Cooper
Big Valley Mortgage
(916) 412-9530
email: scooper@apmortgage.com

Real Estate Round Table – What are interest rates today? Incredible!

Noel Crider of Keller Williams Realty in Auburn, CA, and Scott Cooper of Big Valley Mortgage discuss today’s incredible rates, and a couple of great programs you can take advantage of right now to make the best of your real estate buying experience!

To buy or sell a home, or learn more about the home buying or selling process, call:

Noel Crider
Keller Williams Realty
(530) 305-8409
email: ncrider@kw.com

To get prequalified or learn more about the latest loan programs, call:

Scott Cooper
Big Valley Mortgage
(916) 412-9530
email: scooper@apmortgage.com

Buy a Home in 2010

Are you a first-time homebuyer? Are you a homeowner considering purchasing an investment property? Either way, you are among a large group who are planning to buy a home in 2010.

A recent Move.com survey revealed that many Americans have “buying a home” as one of their top New Year’s Resolutions! 17.7% of Americans want to be come First Time Home Buyers and 15.7% are planning to purchase an Investment Property.

Here are the Top Four Reasons to buy now!

1. Record Low Interest Rates.

2. Record Low Home Prices.

3. Tax Credits for Home Buyers – through April 30, 2010.

4. Tax Benefits of Home Ownership over the long term.

Read more about the benefits of buying a home.

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4 Important Tips for Repairing Your Credit

Credit repair does not have to be complex and can be boiled down two basic ideas: First, positive accounts will counteract the negative accounts. Second, time heals all credit. 

1. If you have positive accounts, keep them.  Do not close any accounts that have good payment histories as they will help balance the negative.  In addition, older, unused accounts with a zero balance may help improve your score.
2. If some of your positive accounts are credit cards, keep the balances below 50% by paying them down, or transfer part of the balance to another card so the balance does not exceed 50% of the limit.
3. If you do not have at least 3 accounts that report to the credit reporting agencies, open up more accounts.  With negative credit, opening new accounts may be difficult, so open a “secured” credit card.  With a “secured” credit card you will need to send the credit card company a specific amount of money, and then you will receive a credit card in that amount.  The new accounts will help you establish a positive credit history. 
4. WAIT.  While this may not seem like a plan packed with insider secrets, the fact of the matter is…time heals credit.  Remember, this is a marathon not a sprint.  If you maintain at least 3 accounts with perfect payments, your credit will progressively improve.

So, now you are 2 to 3 years in the future and what is the payoff for sticking to the plan?  Your credit will be good enough to buy a home again.  Don’t let the setback of a short sale or foreclosure make you feel hopeless.  You have options, and with the proper course of action, you may become a homeowner again much sooner than you thought possible.

If you need further information, or would like assistance with credit repair, contact me:

Scott Cooper

It’s Official! The First-Time Homebuyer Credit has been Extended.

On Thursday the Senate and the House both overwhelmingly approved the legislation to extend and enhance the Homebuyer Tax Credit. On Friday, President Obama signed it into law.

The down and dirty:

1. The First Time Homebuyer Credit of $8,000 will be applicable through contracts in place by April 30, 2010, and allows for 60 days beyond this date to close the transaction.
2. In addition, repeat buyers — those who have lived in their previous home for 5 of the last 8 years — will qualify for a credit of $6,500 for purchases between December 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
3. Couples earning as much as $225,000 and individuals as much as $125,000 would qualify for the credit, an increase from $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples.

I like this summary of the information from NAR: 

For more information, please contact me!

How do I file for the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit?

If you are a First Time Homebuyer who qualifies for the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, here’s how to file and receive your credit.

You have two choices: you can file to amend your 2008 tax return, or wait and file in 2009.

How to amend your 2008 tax return:

1. Download Form 5405 ”First -Time Homebuyer Credit” from the IRS website. Use this link to determine the amount of your credit.
2. Then download Form 1040X  ”Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return” to amend your 2008 return.
3. Fill out the amended credit amount on Line 15 under Payments.
4. File Form 1040X along with Form 5405.
5. Any refund due will be sent to you.

Filing for your credit in 2009:

1. File Form 1040 as usual.
2. On Line 69, enter the amount of your credit calculated using Form 5405;
3. Be sure to attach Form 5405 to your return.
4. Your refund will be sent to you.

Be sure to consult your tax professional for further information.

Contact me for assistance in purchasing your first home.

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit – Update

Senate votes today to extend the first time homebuyer credit through April 30th, 2010.

Once the Senate votes, the House is expected to follow suit and then off to Obama’s desk for signature.

Here are the details of the new and improved credit:

1. The First Time Homebuyer Credit of $8,000 will be applicable through contracts in place by April 30, 2010. This allows for 60 days to close the transaction past this date.
2. In addition, repeat buyers — those who have lived in their previous home for 5 of the last 8 years — will qualify for a credit of $6,500 for purchases between December 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
3. Couples earning as much as $225,000 and individuals as much as $125,000 would qualify for the extension, an increase from $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples.

Act quickly:

“The American people should understand this — and the affected industries — this is the last extension,” said Senator Johnny Isakson, a Georgia Republican who cosponsored the plan. “Tax credits like this only work by creating the sense of urgency to take advantage of them.” See the entire article.

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20603037&sid=ai5ZNuz56Q4g

Will the First Time Homebuyer Credit be extended?

“First-time buyers would continue to get an $8,000 credit, while repeat buyers of primary residences would be eligible for a credit of $6,500.”

In an article on the CNBC website, we are told that key senators have agreed to extend the popular first time homebuyer tax credit through April of next year. In addition, the credit will apply to non-first time homebuyers in the amount of $6,500 for the purchase of primary residences. First time homebuyers make up a large percentage of home purchases, and extending it is key in keeping the housing market going. Read the entire article here.  If you would like more information on taking advantage of the credit, give me a call!

5 Tips to Getting Your Short Sale Offer Accepted

Why is it so competitive for buyers? The answer is that 68% of distress sales are receiving multiple offers. This is especially true in the affordable home range. Here are some strategies for your offer to make its way to the top of the pile.

1. Ask your lender to provide FULL loan approval and submit it with your offer. Your offer will have a huge advantage over others because it shows that financing will not be an issue in closing the transaction.
2. Submit your offer with Direct Lender approval. If your lender is not a direct lender, you can seek a preapproval from a direct lender, such as Bank of America, but you are under no obligation to use that lender.
3. Use Rebate Pricing to help pay for closing costs and minimize seller contribution. As a buyer you pay a slightly higher interest rate (.25 or so) and the lender credits additional commission back the buyer to assist with closing costs.
4. Ask your lender to contact the listing agent on each offer you submit. A good lender will communicate the highlights of you as the borrower and instill confidence about closing on time.
5. Communicate to the seller through your Realtor® that you are a committed buyer and will stay the course through the sometimes difficult transactions we are experiencing in this market.

If you have questions, or need a referral to a lender who can assist you with this high level of service, contact me and I will forward you on to the right person.

How do I qualify for the $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Credit?

Time’s running out to buy a home and collect $8,000!

What is the first-time homebuyer credit?

The First-Time Homebuyer Credit was enacted as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. If you purchased a home in 2008, you must repay the credit over a 15-year period. However, if you purchase a home in 2009, the credit does not have to be repaid, as long as you remain in the home as your principal residence for 3 years.

How do I qualify?

1. You must be a first-time homebuyer which means you have not owned a principle residence during the past 3 years.
2. You must purchase and close on a home prior to December 1, 2009.
3. You must make less than $75,000 per year for individuals, and $150,000 for couples to receive the full credit.

How much is the credit?

For homes purchased in 2009, the credit is 10% of the home’s value, or a maximum of $8,000.

How do I apply for the credit?

You must file an IRS Form 5405 with your 2009 tax return.

What if I don’t owe taxes. Can I still get the refund?

Yes. For example, if you owe $4,000 in taxes, and you are eligible for the full credit of $8,000, then your refund would be $4,000.

 More questions, feel free to contact me.