Monday, April 6, 2009

BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE 2009 ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN TO BENEFIT HOME OWNERS AND BUYERS

Expansion of Home Improvement Tax Credit

---Tax credit for making energy efficient home improvements is 30% of costs of improvements to max of $1500.

 Higher Reverse Mortgage Loan Limits

---Loan limits for FHA-insured reverse mortgages increased to $625,500 for the entire country

 $729,750 FHA and Conforming Loan Limits Restored in High Cost Areas

---Higher limit was in force for 2008 but reduced to $625,500 in 2009.  Stimulus plan restores the $729,750 limit

 First-Time Home Buyer Credit

Definitions:

Principal residence (not 2nd home or investment)

1st Time Home-buyer:  Buyer, including buyer’s spouse,  have not owned a principal residence for last 3 years.

Income Limits: Full credits with adjusted gross income of $75,000 ($150,000 on joint return) or less.  Phased out over $95,000 and $170,000

                2008 purchases  (4-9-08 to 12-31-08)

$7500  tax credit repaid over 15 years, starting 2010

When sell, have to repay balance at sale

                2009 purchases (1-1-09 to 12-31-09)

$8,000 pure tax credit (no repayment as long as held for 3 years, if sold during 3 year term, entire amount repaid)

Tax Credit for New Construction Home Purchases

From 3/1/09-11/30/09, $10,000 State tax credit spread over 3 years for new home purchases from any Buyers.  Limited amount of funds available from CA so will probably end before expiration date

 The New Foreclosure Stability and Affordability Plan

---Mortgage remodification will help homeowners in danger of foreclosure by readjusting their interest rates down and lengthening the term of their loan by five years.  Principal remains the same.

Most homeowners in Bay Area will not be able to refinance existing loans because only applies to conforming loans ($417,000 or lower) AND the home can’t be underwater by more than 5%.  In Santa Clara County, this could help as many as 6.9%

Nationally, this can help 25% of people

 

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