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Thursday, August 21, 2008

Housing and Economic Recovery Act and Tax Credit Explanation for Dummies


First and foremost, the Tax Credit from the Housing and Economic Recovery Act is money LOANED to a 1st time buyer (1st buyer means nobody in house has owned a home in 3 years) in the form of cash at the time you get your tax refund. This money must be repaid...aaaaaaaaaaaanT!!! Yeah, that's the kicker. After two years, the buyer will start repaying that money like a 15 year interest FREE loan and if they sell the home before it's paid off, they'll just take that money from the proceeds of the home. The amount will be either $7,500 if you are buying a home for $75k or LESS and 10% of the price of the home for homes priced over $75k. Trust me, that is much easier to understand that way, than the way they write it...yuck, it's like they don't want people to read their stuff when the government writes stuff. Back on track here now.
The second part of this Housing and Recovery Act is about Down Payment Assistance. Plainly said, IT's gone. There was non profit organizations and charities and so forth that offered down payment assistance in the past for low to moderate families, and some didn't even target low to moderate...but they are prohibited now and thats that. Moving on.
On October 1st the minimum cash investment a buyer must have in an FHA loan will be 3.5% now.
Hope this was an easy read and touched the important parts. As far as the Tax credit goes, there are some further details and guidelines, but we can't remember ALL the details by memory with all the other changes we are seeing from our industry right now, so just let me know what else you need and I'll hunt it down myself.

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Testimonials & About Me

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Frisco, Texas, United States
In 2002, Brad Lynch began energetically consulting families in finding the right mortgage plan for their needs. In the beginning years, he was trained by a mentor who led by example, and this example was the epitome of integrity. Brad learned in the beginning by his mentor that many prospects may not consciously see what good intentions he has for them, do to the “wrap” many have caused w/in this industry, but always do what is right for the customer and in the end it will payoff. Integrity coupled with an energetic nature to nurture relationships, Brad has created clients for life. Through these clients for life, referrals have become the lifeblood of his business.