$8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit -
Ending Soon 

As we head into the fall, recent housing numbers and anecdotal evidence, suggests that home buying has certainly picked up. One of the reasons for the increase in home sales, outside of lower prices and interest rates, is the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit. This credit applies to new home buyers (or those who have not owned a home in the past three years) and it comes to an end on Monday November 30, 2009.

What that means, is that in order to take advantage of this credit, your home purchase must close by that date. With most home closings taking between 30 and 45 days in the current market, that means we are getting closer and closer to the deadline to where new home buyers will be certain they will be able to take advantage of this credit.

For those that have interest in purchasing and obtaining the tax credit, now would be the time to act. Especially if you have concerns which may lengthen the process, such as credit or down payment issues that may affect the loan process.
In addition, there is also a negative in the positive that is increased buyers; that is a more difficult time in getting your purchase offer accepted. Home buyers and real estate agents in the current market have reported that multiple offers are common place on almost all bank owned homes in the current market. Meaning that it could take longer until you have your offer accepted, as you may end up having to bid on more than one property.

In addition, other transactions such as short sales, will typically take longer to close as well, as a third party bank must approve the sale.

What this all means is that this is certainly an opportune time to purchase, with the combination of affordability and tax credits in the current market for buyers. However, with the time length from start to finish of purchasing a home in the current market, November 30th is a lot closer then it may seem.