Home Buyer Tax Credit Closing Deadline Extended!

Good news for those homebuyers who were eligible for the home buyer tax credit but could not close by June 30, 2010! If you were unable to close by the deadline, you now have until September 30, 2010 to close your real estate purchase. Because of the backlog of mortgages, Congress decided to extend the deadline for closing.

Keep in mind, if you did not enter into a real estate contract by April 30, 2010, this extension will not help you. The extension is only for those who had a valid, binding real estate contract as of April 30, 2010.

Also, you must be otherwise eligible for the tax credit. In order to qualify for the first-time buyers credit of up to $8,000, you must not have owned a home in the last three years. For the existing homebuyer credit of up to $6,500, you must have owned your home for at least the last five years. Furthermore, the home must be your principal residence, and must cost less than $800,000. Vacation homes are ineligible for the credit. There are income restrictions also. Speak to your accountant and make sure you are eligible!