Its Almost Official!!!!                     

Senate indicates that First time Homebuyers Tax Credit will be renewed until at least April of 2010!

This is Great news! Here are the biggest changes:

The credit would be cut slightly to a $7,290 cap. Income eligibility for first-time home buyers would stay the same, but it would rise for step-up buyers to $125,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples.

This is the biggest change: The credit will also be expanded to include so-called step-up buyers who have lived in their current home for at least five years.

At this time, it is believed that the credit will allow anyone purchasing (even if the property is not closed) a home by April 30, 2010 to participate and receive the full credit available. The credit will be continued (but reduced by 2% each 90 days) through the end of 2010! The credit will be slightly lessened, but it will be renewed and this extension should allow the market to continue to recover into and through next summer's selling season. Of course, there's always the possibility that it could be renewed at that time, as well.

Here's the text of the story as reported in Bloomberg News today:
Senate Democrats on Board with Credit Extension

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) says The Senate has agreed to extend the first-time home buyer tax credit. The latest version extends the program to home sales signed - not closed - by April 30. Purchasers would have another 60 days to close the sale.

This info passed on by Dee Dee Jones Wainwright Real Estate The Hampton Roads Real Estate Lady!