What You Need to Know to Buy a Home Today

Don’t let a sluggish economy get you down. There are reasons to shop for personal items—including buying a home. I recently saw an advertisement for a new car that said you could return the car in the first year if you lose your job. While there may not be that incentive for homes yet, some other perks might give you reason to start your housing search.

If you can afford to buy, consider making home ownership a goal this year, especially if you haven’t owned a principal residence in three years prior to buying. The new stimulus package sweetens the deal for home buyers who purchase a residence on or after January 1, 2009, and before December 1, 2009. The incentive is for first-time home buyers who remain in their home for at least three years. It provides a credit for 10 percent of the home purchase price, up to an $8,000 limit. The credit can be taken on your 2008 or 2009 tax return.

If you close on a home after the April 15 tax deadline, you can apply for an extension provided that you close on your home before the extension deadline of October 15. If you’re extra speedy and have already filed your 2008 return, don’t worry — you can file an amendment to claim the credit. You have three years to do that. You’ll need IRS Form 1040 X to do that.

Taking the credit on your 2009 return or getting the benefit now, before filing your return, by adjusting your income wage withholding are also options…

Read the entire article in my April Real Estate Update Newsletter

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