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Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended, Expanded
The extension of the first-time home buyer tax credit will help continue to clear out inventory, but expanding the credit to include more buyers may not be as helpful in high-cost housing areas.
President Barack Obama recently signed legislation that extends the deadline on the first-time home buyer tax credit and adds a smaller tax credit for move-up and other home buyers.
The extension and expansion gives home buyers a tax incentive to buy a home until at least April 30, 2010 -- April 30, 2011 for qualifying military personnel. The previous deadline was just weeks away, November 30, 2009.
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"The extension of the first-time home buyer tax credit will be crucial to clearing out unsold inventory and especially the lagging bank owned inventory that has not even hit the market yet," said Kim
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Man's Best Friend May Be Costly When Selling Your Home
As beloved as pets may be to sellers they can be a detriment to the sale of a home.
One of the main reasons has to do with how convenient it is for buyers to see your home. There can be issues caused by the pets that make seeing your home more difficult than viewing other properties. For instance, if sellers have to be called first before their home can be shown this can make it less appealing to buyers and agents.
"You've got issues of access because you might have special pet instructions such as remove pets prior to entering home," says Benjamin Little, with John Hall & Associates in Scottsdale, Arizona. He says that makes it so agents and buyers have to set special appointments. "And in today's market, anything that impedes a showing is a hindrance to selling the house," cautions Little.
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Should I Take My Home Off the Market During the Holidays?
When you look at your calendar you may find the months already overloaded with seasonal obligations -- shopping, entertaining, children's pageants, charity work, decorating the house, and so much more. If you are also trying to sell your home, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in "showtime" condition. And that could be the last thing you need before the holiday spirit is broken.
It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. And the list of justifications is long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, and you may find your efforts unrewarded with not enough showings. And what if you do get an offer? You may be faced with the possibility of packing and moving during the busiest time of the year. Besides, you can give your house a rest, and it will have better momentum after the holidays. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right?
But wait! Most top Realtors agree that taking your home off the market during the Christmas season is a mistake. The house surely isn't going to sell off the market! What is the advantage of that? So you're busy. Let your Realtor
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First-Time Home Buyers
Set Record
First-time home buyers reached the highest market share on record during the past year, according to the latest consumer survey of home buyers and sellers. The study was released November 12th at the 2009 REALTORS® Conference & Expo.
The 2009 National Association of Realtors (NAR) Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers is the latest in a series of large national NAR surveys evaluating demographics, preferences, marketing and experiences of recent home buyers and sellers. Among national surveys, NAR's Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers is unprecedented in size and
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