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The Calendar Moves Quickly on First Time Home Buyers

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Real Estate Technology with Content, coding, marketing, host.

We have hashed and re-hashed what the First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit (FTHBTC) is and is not. Some are still confused and I am not even about to breech that subject of whether or not it can be used as a down payment. If you look good in orange feel free to try that out yourself. What I do want to tell you is, as of this date, an indisputable fact:

If a buyer does not close on their first home before December 1, 2009 they will not be eligible for the Federal First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit of up to $8000.

Mark These Words

In November of 2009 (this year) my phone, fax, email, copy machine, and front door will all get a work out of people having to close before the end of the month. Many of these people will miss the deadline because underwriting will get jammed, loan officers will be backed up and probably appraisers, title companies, closing attorneys, etc., will also likely be over loaded.

If You Are A Buyer

#1 - Before you even pick up the phone to call an agent call your local FHA lender. Local ... let me repeat that LOCAL. Nobody will be able to answer your questions more accurately and anticipate any bumps you may experience and you can drive to their office look them in the eyes if need be. Your agent may know some basics about prequalifying you but they do not know what the underwriting engines may say once your information has been input into the automated system.

#2 - Start making offers as soon as possible. I know everyone wants to close in 14 days but in today's economy and real estate market that is pretty much unreasonable. We have had purchases close in 28 days and we have also had them go over up to as long as 45 days mostly due to valuation issues. That's another thing you have to consider if the appraisal comes back lower than your offer you'll at least have to go back to the negotiation table with the sellers which could add another 2 weeks to the process.

If You Are An Agent

Most of us do not like to be "pushy" but your First Time Buyers are going to need to be helped along if they want to take advantage of this offer. Whatever you do, do NOT let your offers go over into November. I can all but guarantee you will miss the deadline. Beyond that you better not be calling any loan officer on November 15th pressuring them because I can guarantee they will be swamped trying to get all the late comers closed on time.

A Closing Word

Someone reading this post will be involved in a transaction with an FTHB who will not close in time and will not get their FTHBTC. Someone will want to blame it on the lender even though they waited until the last minute to submit. Between you and I you better have your full package including an executed and legible copy of the sales agreement to the lender before November 1, 2009.

Don't say you were not warned.

Ken Cook on Twitter

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I started writing on Active Rain in 2006 when I was representing the mortgage industry. I am no longer in that industry and many of the older posts contain outdated information. Please do not contact me for LENDING or MORTGAGE questions but rather contact a licensed mortgage professional from your area. I have always been in marketing and branding and that is still what I do. Thanks for reading!

Comments(4)

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Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

We fear that many first time home buyers will pay the penalty of higher interest rates as they wait to purchase. The smart buyers are in the market now.

Follow me on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/roykelley  

May 27, 2009 04:32 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

No doubt... I figure that the phone will have to be turned off during Thanksgiving Weekend because of people that think they can buy and close before 12/1...

May 27, 2009 02:01 PM
Bill Nazur
First Lending Solutions - Riverside, CA

Excellent post to share with all. I hope that the message is well received, though I'm certain the behavior will have people calling you the first 10 days of December wanting to close before the end of the year.

May 27, 2009 05:20 PM
Ken Cook
Content, coding, marketing, host. - Marietta, GA
Content Marketer/Creator

Roy - amazingly enough between the time you commented yesterday and I responded today the interst rates rose a full 1/2 percent. Time keeps on ticking.

Lane - that's actuall not a bad idea! Social Media Breakfasts are coming up fast, too.

Bill - you know it. Somehow many will just never know and the worst part is some of them will be agents and even a few will be loan officers. I hate to think of all the things I don't know and wonder how I missed learning them!

May 28, 2009 03:47 AM