Proposed CHANGE in FHA Guidelines for First Time Home Buyers, ACT NOW!

FHA proposed changes in the future for First Time Home Buyers. If you were thinking of riding the fence for awhile before purchasing your first home in Maryland, you may want to think again. What are the proposed changes?
•• Raising the FHA up front mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP). Currently at 1.75% of the loan amount it can increase to as much as 3% but Congress will have to vote on it. Not too long ago it was 2.25% and we could easily see it return to that level
•• Limiting the amount of seller contributions towards the buyer's closing costs from the current 6% to 3%. Any of you currently closing deals will realize how big this could hurt. The single most difficult obstacle for first time homebuyers is saving for their cash to close, which brings us to...
•• Requiring higher down payment requirements. Although Secretary Donovan states "there are several ways to accomplish this, and so we are currently analyzing various options to determine which is the most effective", it essentially means buyers will need more cash to close.
•• Raising minimum credit score requirements. Currently FHA allows a buyer with the minimum down payment to have a credit score as low as 500. There has not been a reputable lender going that low in quite some time so depending on what score they settle with, this change may not even be felt in the marketplace. The market norm right now is 620.
When could this change take place?
HUD/FHA is expected to begin formally proposing these changes as early as January, 2010. The most time consuming of the changes will likely be increasing the UFMIP since it will require congressional action. It should be noted, however, that by increasing the UFMIP to the maximum allowable levels it would increase the cost of getting an FHA loan by $1,250 per $100,000 borrowed. To sum it up, if you are planning to buy a home in the near future, the faster you move the better off you will be. If you are interested in purchasing your first home in Maryland, Baltimore, Harford or Cecil County, START YOUR SEARCH NOW! We have the most up-to-date Bank Owned Foreclosed Property List in Maryland. Contact our Team Now!

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If you know someone who is thinking of selling or buying a home in Maryland, Baltimore, Harford County and surrounding areas, please visit our website and fill out our on-line form.

Holiday Season Safety Tips

Holiday Season Safety Tips

If you're traveling
• Get an automatic timer for your lights.
• Ask a neighbor to watch your home, shovel snow, and park in the driveway occasionally.
• Don't forget to stop the mail and newspaper while you are gone.
If you're out for the evening

• Leave some lights on and maybe even a radio or television.
• Be sure to lock all windows and doors.
• Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside.
If you're shopping
• Stay alert and be aware of what is going on around you.
• Park in a well-lighted place. Lock your car doors and store valuables and packages in the trunk or out of sight.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay by check or with credit cards when possible.
• Carry your purse close to your body and put your wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
• If shopping with children, teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated.

NEWS! Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended - Home Buyers in Baltimore, Harford, Cecil County - Top Realtor in Maryland

I am sure that most of you have been monitoring the status of the "Homebuyer Tax Credit" in Maryland, but if you haven't, this is what we know:

Homebuyer Tax Credit for Maryland Home Buyers has not only been extended, but it has also been expanded to include current homeowners in Baltimore City. The following are features of the new bill:

• Deadline for current credit is November 30, 2009.

• Deadline for new and improved credit is April 30, 2010, as long as the home in Maryland, Baltimore, Harford County and surrounding counties are under contract by that date; deal must close within 60 days.

• Eligibility and amount of new credit: - $8,000 for first-time homebuyers in Maryland (those who have not owned a home in Maryland in the last three years). - Up to $6,500 credit for homeowners who have lived in the home they are selling, or have sold, as a principal residence for five consecutive years in the past eight.

• Buyers in Maryland with income exceeding $125,000 for single and $225,000 for married couples are not eligible.

• Homes in Maryland valued at more than $800,000 are also ineligible.

This is exciting news for first time and current homeowners that are looking to purchase a property in Baltimore, Harford County and Surrounding Counties in Maryland.

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If you are considering relocating or moving to Maryland, there is one Real Estate TEAM to choose when you start your search for your dream home. Our extensive knowledge in the Maryland Real Estate Market will benefit you when purchasing your home. We have provided helpful links for you. From this page, you can also start searching for properties that are available. Let us start working for you TODAY! It starts with a simply searching for a home, filling out the email inquiry form and its that simple! One of our Team Members will contact you immediately to begin to work within your schedule to view the homes of your choice in Maryland, Baltimore County, Harford County, Cecil County Relocations

Ten Facts about the $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

Ten Facts about the First-Time Homebuyer Credit

Many taxpayers who purchase a home in Maryland this year will qualify for an $8,000 federal tax credit. The refundable first-time homebuyer credit is a major tax provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. But time is running out to qualify for this credit.

Here are ten things the IRS wants you to know about the first-time homebuyer credit:

1. To be considered a first-time homebuyer, you – and your spouse if you are married – must not have jointly or separately owned another principal residence during the three years prior to the date of purchase.

2. You cannot claim the credit before there is a completed sale and purchase of the residence. The sale and purchase are generally completed at the time of closing on the purchase.

3. To qualify for the credit, the completed purchase must occur before December 1, 2009.

4. The home must be located in the United States.

5. The credit is either 10 percent of the purchase price of the home or $8,000, whichever is less.

6. The amount of the credit begins to phase out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is more than $75,000 or $150,000 for joint filers.

7. The credit is fully refundable. A homebuyer with no taxable income, who qualifies for the credit, may file for the sole purpose of claiming the credit and receive a refund. The credit will be paid out to eligible taxpayers, even if they owe no tax or the credit is more than the tax owed.

8. The credit is claimed on IRS Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyers Credit.

9. Taxpayers can claim the credit for a qualified 2009 purchase on either their 2008 or 2009 tax return. For those who have filed a 2008 return, a Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return can be filed in order to get a refund in 2009.

10. The credit for qualified 2009 purchases does not have to be repaid, as long as the home remains your main home for 36 months after the purchase date.

Qualified taxpayers who have been considering a main home purchase may find extra incentive from this tax credit to buy now so they can complete the purchase before the December 1 deadline.

 

 

For more information on this and other key tax provisions of the Recovery Act visit the official IRS Website at IRS.gov/Recovery.

Links:
First-Time Homebuyer Credit
YouTube Video - First-Time Homebuyer: English Spanish ASL
Audio File for Podcast - First-Time Homebuyer Credit 2009: English Spanish
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Information Center
Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit (PDF)
Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (PDF)