In Charlotte, North Carolina the Tax Credit is Great for Homeowners Looking to Downsize

When the First Time Home Buyer Tax credit was extended and expanded most people thought the expansion was only for home owners who wanted to move up, those who wished to buy a bigger, more expensive home.  In fact, the expansion simply includes those who have owned a primary residence and lived in it for at least five years consecutive years out of the last eight years.  If current home owners in Charlotte, NC want to downsize they can use the tax credit toward their new home, regardless of whether it costs less than the home that they are selling, regardless of whether it is a smaller home than the one that they are selling.

It is an anomaly that everyone assumes the tax credit is only for purchasing bigger and better.  Many people, especially those whose children have grown and left the nest, want to downsize.  After-all, who doesn’t want to enjoy Charlotte to the fullest and make life simpler these days?

If you have been considering selling your home in Cotswold, Myers Park or any of the amazing Charlotte neighborhoods and moving into a smaller space, consider doing so before the tax credit expires.  Place your new Charlotte home under contract by April 30th and close by June 30th and you could have a few extra dollars in your pocket in 2010.

Charlotte, NC Market Update: Real Estate in 2009, Ending on a Positive Note

Here in the Charlotte real estate market at Dickens-Mitchener & Associates there has been a good deal of activity in different neighborhoods this past year. We want not only to keep you informed locally, but on a national front as well. Real estate is showing strong signs of recovery across the country. Last month, real estate sales were up over 7% for sales of existing homes. The increase in real estate sales was seen in every region of the United States, due mainly to the first time home buyer tax credit, which was originally set to expire at the end of November, 2009. Low mortgage rates and low home prices have also been catalyst.

Foreclosures will continue to rise with unemployment, keeping real estate prices from rising in harder hit areas, and home values as a whole are expected to remain flat for some time.

Interest rates are not expected to continue dropping and will most likely head in the opposite direction, expected to hold steady around 5.2%. According to the Wall Street Journal, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke himself recently locked in a refinance on his residence, a clear indication that rates just might be as good as they’re going to get.

For now, the data shows that real estate sales are on the rise and will continue to improve as long as the mortgage rates stay low and the tax credit remains in place — all boding well for Charlotte, NC real estate. What happens during the latter half of 2010 is up in the air, but for now the good news is far better than the news of a year ago.

Charlotte, NC Market Update: Real Estate in 2009, Ending on a Positive Note

 

Here in the Charlotte real estate market at Dickens-Mitchener & Associates there has been a good deal of activity in different neighborhoods this past year. We want not only to keep you informed locally, but on a national front as well. Real estate is showing strong signs of recovery across the country.  Last month, real estate sales were up over 7% for sales of existing homes.  The increase in real estate sales was seen in every region of the United States, due mainly to the first time home buyer tax credit, which was originally set to expire at the end of November, 2009.  Low mortgage rates and low home prices have also been catalyst.

Foreclosures will continue to rise with unemployment, keeping real estate prices from rising in harder hit areas, and home values as a whole are expected to remain flat for some time.

Interest rates are not expected to continue dropping and will most likely head in the opposite direction, expected to hold steady around 5.2%.  According to the Wall Street Journal, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke himself recently locked in a refinance on his residence, a clear indication that rates just might be as good as they’re going to get.

For now, the data shows that real estate sales are on the rise and will continue to improve as long as the mortgage rates stay low and the tax credit remains in place — all boding well for Charlotte, NC real estate.  What happens during the latter half of 2010 is up in the air, but for now the good news is far better than the news of a year ago.

Time to Close in Charlotte, NC to Use First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Congress passed new legislation to stimulate the U.S. housing market, while addressing the nation’s economic situation, by extending the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010. There is no doubt that the first time home buyer tax credit is great for people interested in communities in south Charlotte, NC,   but there are a few things to know before you assume that you qualify for the full $8,000. 

What qualifies for the first time home buyer’s tax credit? Only a primary house qualifies.  It does not matter if it is a single family home, duplex, townhome, condo, apartment or co-op, if it is a primary residence it will apply whether you a looking at homes near Freedom Park, Homes in Myers Park or homes for sale in Cotswold.

What is new and improved with the extended and expanded tax credit? The tax credit is income restricted, an individual cannot make more that $125,000 annually and a couple cannot make more than $225,000 jointly.  A home must be a primary residence and valued at $800,000 or less.  Buyers must have a property under contract to purchase by April 30, 2010, and the property must close by June 30, 2010.

The tax credit is a real boon for first time home buyers and does not have to be repaid.  If you qualify for the tax credit and have been considering purchasing a new home, there could not be a better time.  Low interest rates, low home values and the first time home buyer tax credit all add up to the right time to call local Charlotte, NC expert Scott Pridemore.  The passing of this extended, expanded tax credit is good news on the real estate front and is expected to be the last tax credit offered for a long time to come.

Date last updated: 2/5/12 11:33 PM PST

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