Patty's Loan-Line Blog

The clock may have stopped ticking….or at least slowed down for a little while! Yesterday afternoon, the Senate approved the extension to the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. The new credit will be good through April 30, 2010.

In an effort to continue the increased demand for residential real estate, the government is giving buyers more time to find the home of their dreams. Here are a few important dates to keep in mind:

    *Buyers must be under contract by April 30, 2010

    *Buyers must close escrow no later than June 30, 2010

The Senate has also introduced provisions to allow for current homeowners to take advantage of the tax credit.  Homeowners who have lived in their homes as primary residents for 5 years or longer may soon be eligible for a $6500 tax credit when purchasing a new primary residence. 

We are all patiently awaiting the President’s signature that will put this bill into effect.

Wishing you much success!

Patty

Welcome back to our blog!  We are excited to bring you some breaking news pertaining to the 8K income tax credit that is set to expire November 30,2009.

The new law in discussion would extend the credit until June 2010!!

The tax credit has already helped 2 million first time homebuyers earning less than $300,000/yr purchase homes.  It has also helped stabilize home sales after the worst housing slump since the Great Depression!  This program has cost the U.S. Government $17 Billion...and counting!

So, if you are one of the first time hombuyers out there that has put in multiple offers on homes only to find out you were beat out by an offer $1000 higher than yours, don't give up hope!  The banks are expected to start releasing more homes into the market in 2010 and, with the extension to the 8K tax credit, you are likely to find the home of your dreams soon!

Have many of you wondered why this credit was only applicable to first time homebuyers?  Wouldn't it be more prudent to reward all tax payers that haven't foreclosed or short saled a home in the past few years?  EXACTLY!  Well, if passed, the new credit being discussed would give ALL tax payers the credit for buying a new primary residence, second home and/or investment property between December 2009 and June 2010. 

Wishing you much success!

Patty

Welcome to our Blog!  We are excited to bring you this useful information to help our friends and neighbors in the community.

This blog will be updated weekly, so stand by for updates.  For now, enjoy reading!

5 STEPS ON HOW TO SHOP FOR A MORTGAGE

1)    Always get 2-3 names of Mortgage Brokers from which to obtain quotes.  Make sure to obtain these referrals from a trusted friend, associate or Real Estate Professional and set time aside to call them on the same day.

2)    Be prepared to tell the Mortgage Broker about your plan/intentions to purchase or refinance.  Have Social Security Numbers, income figures and down payment information handy.

3)    Have a general idea of where your FICO (credit scores) are and/or be open to having a new credit report obtained.  NOTE:  Minimum FHA purchase or refinance FICO is a 620...Minimum Conventional purchase or refinance FICO is a 680.

4)    Once you've provided the basic qualifying information to each Mortgage Broker, be sure to ask for a Good Faith Estimate with each Broker's PAR interest rate.  This will allow you to compare the interest rate with fees to ensure you are comparing apples to apples.

5)    Once you've made your decision based on the lowest rate and the person you trust the most, call them to secure or LOCK IN the interest rate.

With what seems like nothing but pessimistic financial news taking over the airwaves lately, you can be certain 2009 remains the best year in history to purchase or refinance with rates at historic lows!

Wishing you much success!

Patty