First-time home buyers credit coming to a close

Time is running out for first-time home buyers to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit set aside for them this year as part of the economic recovery effort.

Barring a time extension, people looking to cash in must purchase a home by Nov. 30. Considering it usually takes 30 days to close on a house, now may be the time to act. The Better Business Bureau offers guidance on how to benefit from the First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit.

The credit was created to stimulate the real estate market by encouraging first-time home buyers. The credit is equal to 10 percent of the home's purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000. Qualifying participants simply claim the credit on their tax return.

More than 1.4 million first-time home buyers have taken advantage of the tax credit so far this year, according to the IRS. The National Association of Realtors predicts that the tax credit will result in an extra 350,000 sales.

There are six bills before Congress that would extend the tax credit at least until the end of 2009, but there is no guarantee that any will pass. According to CNN, there has already been $14 billion allocated for the credit and fiscal conservatives are opposed to dedicating the additional funds that would be required if it were extended.

"With both interest rates and housing prices at record lows, now is a great time to buy a house, if you can afford it, and the tax credit sweetens the deal even more for first-time home buyers," said Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois. "While it is a buyer's market, it's important that first-timers don't rush into buying a house just to take advantage of the tax credit. It's better to find that perfect house and investment later than feel pressured into buying something now just to get the credit."

There are a few requirements for participation and the Better Business Bureau offers the following guidance on the credit:

Just because the tax credit is set to expire Nov. 30, it doesn't mean you should rush into buying a house that you aren't sure about. Taking the time to find the right house for you, in the long run, is more important than receiving $8,000 toward the purchase of a house you might end up hating or have a difficult time reselling.

For the purposes of taking advantage of the tax credit, a first-time home buyer is defined as an individual who hasn't owned a principal residence in the previous three years. However, an individual qualifies if they own a vacation home. Neither party in a married couple would qualify if either had owned a primary residence in the previous three years.

In order to receive the maximum credit, the modified adjusted gross income must be $75,000 or less for a single buyer and $150,000 or less for a joint couple. Single buyers earning between $75,000 and $95,000 and couples earning between $150,000 and $170,000 are eligible for a reduced credit.

The secretary of Housing and Urban Development announced that buyers using FHA-insured mortgages can apply their anticipated tax credit immediately toward the purchase of a house. This is achieved through bridge loans by nonprofits or an FHA-approved lender.

Home buyers must remain in the house for three years or they must return the credit. There are exceptions, including death or divorce.

Visit www.bbb.org or call 312-245-2643.

-- Submitted by the Better Business Bureau