The latest on the first time home buyers tax credit is it will be expanded to include current home owners too.
The first time buyer is still eligible for the $8000 and income levels have been increased to $125,000 for a single buyer and $225,000 for couples. A buyer has to have a binding contract signed on or before April 30th, 2010. You will then have until July 1st, 2010 to close the transaction.
Current home owners are eligible for a $6500 tax credit. The house they are selling must have been their primary for 5 consecutive years out of the past eight years. Income, contract and closing dates are the same as the first time buyer. The part I had to laugh about is the purchase price of the new home can not exceed $800,000.
My opinion is that this credit for time buyers will help them get into a home now that homes are at their most affordable pricing in decades. This is based on income to cost ratio. I know there are many people out there that have the ability to pay a mortgage most often a payment that is lower than the rent they are paying. The only things missing was a large enough down payment. This is where the credit comes in. It helps that buyer get the down payment they need.