Last Friday (November 6), President Obama signed legislation into law that both extended the existing $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit and added a new tax credit for some existing home buyers.

Here is a summary of the extended and expanded tax credits:

First time buyer tax credit:

This was extended to May 1, 2010:  A tax credit of 10% of the purchase price of a home, up to $8,000, may be claimed by first-time buyers for the purchase of a primary residence. As long as you are under a binding purchase contract by April 30, 2010 – and close on the transaction before July 1, you can probably claim the credit.

A first-time buyer is defined as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years.

Income limits were increased to $125,000 for singles, $225,000 for married couples filing jointly.

The purchase price of the home can not exceed $800,000.

Existing home owner credit:

If you have lived in your home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years and are buying another primary residence, you may qualify for a tax credit of 10% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $6,500.

The May 1 / July first time limits apply to the existing buyer credit as well.

The $125,000 / $225,000 income limits and $800,000 max purchase price limits also apply.

The existing home owner credit became effective “on the date of enactment” – November 6.

Of Note: Continue reading this post

After seeing a Senate vote of 98-0, the House approved the extension & expansion of the home buyer tax credit by a vote of 403 to 12.  The overwhelming bipartisan support was applauded by the NAHB and the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).

The new bill extends the expiration of the current $8000 tax credit to first time home buyers purchasing a principle residence.  The bill further expands the credit to include existing purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for the past five of eight years.  Existing purchasers will receive a credit of $6500.

The income restrictions on qualifying buyers have also been increased.  Single filers earning up to $125k/year are eligible for the full credit, and those earning up to $145k/year are eligible for a partial credit.  Joint filers are eligible for the full amount with a combined income of up to $225k, and eligible for a partial if earning up to $245k.

The new law has seen wide support, especially from the real estate blogging community. Continue reading this post

I’ve sold a ton of REOs (Real Estate Owned homes – foreclosures) to first-time homebuyers – many of whom I’ve met through HomeGain.com. Before we start looking at homes, I take time to meet with them and explain the entire process in as much detail as necessary. I hate surprises, and I’ve discovered buyers don’t like them either. I want my clients to fully understand the process so they know what to expect once we hit the streets.

In the process, I’ve discovered a sad truth. No amount of discussion or explanation ahead of time can adequately prepare prospective buyers for the process of trying to buy an REO in the current market.

I recently came across a video that so perfectly sums up the process of buying an REO – I decided I have to share it with you. As I watched it for the first time, I discovered I was unsure how to respond … should I laugh … or cry …

You decide.

For additional musings on REOs, also read:

1. Top 10 Things I HATE About REOs: AND 3 Startling Consequences
2. How To Buy An REO – Top 17 Questions Answered
3. Bank Tactics Causing Repeat Of Crash Conditions in San Francisco Bay Area

Thanks to San Diego Castle Realty and Kris Berg for producing the video!

Watch the video on YouTube

I am continually amazed by how little some people know about the real estate business.

Most people generally have a good idea about how the industry works but every now and then I run into someone who is pretty naïve about the home buying process. Even doctors, lawyers, CEO’s and other professionals may not know how our business works.

Here are 10 things you should know about working with a Realtor®.

1)  Realtors® work on commission

There may be a few exceptions here and there but most Realtors work on 100% commission. That means no salary, no draw, no bonuses, no nothing. If there is not a successful closing the Realtor does not get paid. No only do they not make any money they actually lose money. Agents are essentially small businesses with various expenses like advertising, websites, business cards, stationary, direct mailers, gas, time and energy. If they don’t generate revenue they lose money.

Realtors are not public servants. Don’t ask them to work for you if you don’t think they will get compensated with a commission from a successful transaction.

2)  Hire a Realtor®

First figure out if you want to work with or without a Realtor. Some people want to work directly with the listing agent because they think that they will get a better deal on the property. If you do want to work directly with the listing agent keep in mind that they had a prior relationship with the seller before meeting you. The Realtor might look out for the seller’s interests instead of yours. It might be best to hire a Realtor that represents you in the transaction. Continue reading this post

It’s no common secret that the real estate market over the past year has continued to dramatically change towards a market concentrated in short sales, foreclosures and REO’s.  

For those of you that don’t know what REO means — it means Real Estate Owned.  It’s a term used to identify a property is owned by a bank.  Banks actually consider REO’s a liability instead of an asset because they are in the MONEY business not real estate business. 

As a Top Selling Team in Tampa and St Pete, we have modified our business to help service these “niche” markets.  In the first quarter of 2009, nearly half of our business was selling (either listings or homebuyers) distressed properties.  We have learned through much education, courses, certifications, and trial and error the best ways to represent buyers and sellers in these specific situations.

If you are a Realtor and haven’t started working these markets — WAKE UP!  If you are in a market that has not been hit as hard with foreclosures, don’t worry its coming.  It’s time to prepare now.  

If you are a new real estate agent, read up!  I had a new agent join our team this week and just like I’d send this information to a prospective home buyer, I wanted to review it and tailor it to him so he understands the urgency needed to work buyers on bank owned houses.

Below are tips for Realtors representing buyers on bank owned homes. Continue reading this post

If a client asks you to list their house but tells you it was the scene of a gruesome murder or a suicide, or the house is haunted, are you required to disclose this information to prospective buyers? The short answer is maybe.

Material Facts

Most states have disclosure laws pertaining to property condition and latent defects. The legal standard requires a seller to disclose “material facts” known to the seller that may influence a buyer’s decision. Common examples are a history of termite infestation or major damage from natural events (floods). But when it comes to property that may have been the scene of a murder, suicide or even an AIDS related death, states are divided on the issue of disclosure. Courts have given no clear guidance either.

These psychologically impacted properties, defined as “stigmatized” by the National Association of Realtors, are harder to sell, if the particular fact or suspicion is disclosed, according to James E. Larsen, Ph.D. and Joseph W. Coleman, business professors at Wright State University.

Stigmatized Effect on House Sales

Larsen and Coleman did a study of more than 100 psychologically impacted houses. They found that they take 45 percent longer than comparable homes to sell, and price at an average of about 3 percent less. It is not surprising that many buyers will not buy a house where a gruesome crime or suicide has been committed.

At least 21 states have enacted laws, known as stigma disclosure statutes, concerning the (non)disclosure of psychological facts. In those states that have not enacted these statutes, there are no hard and fast rules about disclosing property stigmas. Continue reading this post