Industry's Most Powerful Associations Send Letter to Administration Advocating for Extension of Home
Industry's Most Powerful Associations Send Letter to Administration Advocating for Extension of Homebuyer Tax Credit

Posted By susanne On October 19, 2009 @ 3:15 pm In Home Buying 101, Real Estate, Today's Marketplace, Today's Top Story, Today's Top Story - Consumer | Comments Disabled

[1]RISMEDIA, October 20, 2009—The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) along with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) sent a letter to senior Obama Administration officials yesterday requesting their support for a 12-month extension of the first-time homebuyer tax credit.

The letter, addressed to Treasury Secretary Geithner, HUD Secretary Donovan and National Economic Council Chair Summers, outlines why the three organizations believe that the tax credit has had a stimulative effect on not only the housing market, but on the U.S. economy as a whole.

A copy of the letter is below:

Dear Secretaries Geithner and Donovan and Dr. Summers:

The undersigned trade associations have supported the first-time homebuyer tax credit as an effective housing stimulus during the current economic crisis. Congress established the homebuyer credit as part of the Housing and Economy Recovery Act of 2008 and it was subsequently expanded in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently reported that over 1.4 million taxpayers have benefited from the tax credit as of August 2009.

The current global credit crunch and economic recession began in the U.S. housing market and recovery will not be complete until the housing market returns to economic health. In normal times, housing represents approximately 15% of U.S. gross domestic product, with numerous spillover benefits into other parts of the economy. Although we are seeing some improvement in the housing market, it is essential that the favorable impact of the first-time homebuyer credit be sustained beyond the upcoming expiration date of November 30, 2009.

The undersigned trade associations request your support for the extension of the first-time homebuyer tax credit for twelve more months.

Economic Impacts of Housing
As the housing markets began to falter, the economic ripples were felt across a number of industries. This highlights that housing is a pillar of our economy, and emphasizes the need to ensure we do not jolt today's very fragile housing market just as we are starting to see signs of stabilization. As the housing market recovers, so do a number of other businesses, including small businesses that rely on family expenditures that accompany home purchases.

NAR has estimated that the first-time homebuyer tax credit program has generated approximately 355,000 home sales above what would have occurred in the absence of a credit. The credit has also allowed greater mobility among sellers. Existing homeowners are able to relocate (or simply move to a different home) because their current home has been sold to an eligible tax credit buyer. These entry-level, credit-eligible purchases have helped to reduce the glut of homes presently for sale on the market.

This increased housing activity leads to other benefits as well. A December 2008 report by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) examined the spending behaviors of those who recently purchased a home. The study showed that buyers of newly-constructed homes spent an average of $12,332 on additional goods and services. Those who purchased an existing home spent an average of $8,927. The report indicated that this money is spent in three main areas: property repairs and alterations, appliances, and furnishings. NAHB has estimated that this spending, in addition to other economic benefits connected to housing activity stimulated by the tax credit program, has produced 187,000 jobs.

Importantly, the tax credit has produced tangible effects with respect to the imbalance between supply and demand in the housing market. New home inventory has continued to fall due to dramatic declines in construction. In addition, a welcome pickup in sales has also reduced inventory. Consequently, months-supply currently stands at 7 months, down from 12.4 months in January 2009. A healthy housing market ideally has 5 to 6 months-supply. Likewise, months-supply of existing homes on the market has fallen to 8.5 months, down from its high of 10.6 in November 2008.

Achieving equilibrium between supply and demand for housing is critical to stabilizing housing prices, and therefore household wealth. An extended homebuyer tax credit is a critical policy for achieving this goal.

Conclusion
The undersigned trade associations believe that the first-time homebuyer tax credit has had a stimulative impact on our economy. We support extending and even expanding it so the credit can help more buyers and sellers. As we approach the sunset date of the current $8,000 tax credit, we urge Congress to expand the program to include all purchasers of principal residences, increase the credit, make the funds available for closing, and extend the overall program by at least 12 months.

Our fragile economy is just beginning to show signs of recovery. We should not jeopardize that recovery by letting this tax credit expire. The homebuyer tax credit is helping hundreds of thousands of Americans realize the American dream, and it is creating thousands of jobs that rely on housing. Problems in the housing industry led us into a global recession and housing incentives can help lead us out of the recession.

Our members greatly appreciate the efforts that the current administration has made by helping troubled homeowners to stay in their homes, providing Treasury support to the secondary market for mortgages, and shoring up the housing industry through the first-time homebuyer tax credit. We encourage you to finish the job already started by extending and expanding the current first-time homebuyer tax credit.

Most sincerely,
Mortgage Bankers Association
National Association of Home Builders
National Association of Realtors

Home Start Advance Loan - First Time Buyers - Saturday October 17th, 2009 10:08am
IHDA Urges First-Time Homebuyers to Take Advantage of Home Start Advance Loan
Must Close Before December 1, 2009 to Qualify for Advance Loan on Federal Credit


CHICAGO - With the federal tax credit deadline fast approaching, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) reminds potential first-time homebuyers to take advantage of the Home Start Tax Advance Loan. The deadline for the loan, which offers up to $6,000 in down payment assistance, is December 1, 2009.

"This is an ideal time for buyers who are contemplating purchasing their first home," said IHDA Executive Director Gloria L. Materre. "With the Home Start Loan created under Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois homebuyers can borrow securely and affordably with the added benefit of the federal tax credit."

This year IHDA launched its new comprehensive Illinois Home Start homebuyer package, enabling hundreds of residents across the state to benefit from historically low interest rates and home prices. According to the Illinois Association of Realtors, Illinois' median home price in August was $165,000, which was down approximately 15 percent from $193,750 in August 2008.

Homebuyers purchasing their first homes can achieve the dream of homeownership with IHDA's 30-year fixed rate Home Start loan and an advance loan of up to $6,000 on the federal tax credit created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The advance loan, which offers a zero-interest loan for down payment assistance, must be used with the Home Start 30-year home loan.

Homebuyers interested in applying for the Home Start Loan Program should contact an IHDA partner lender to find out if they qualify. The attached fact sheet describes Home Start qualifications and a list of lenders is available at www.ihda.org under statewide resources.

About the Illinois Housing Development Authority
IHDA (www.ihda.org) is a self-supporting state agency that finances the creation and the preservation of affordable housing across Illinois. Since its creation in 1967, IHDA has allocated more than $9.67 billion and financed more than 204,000 affordable units across the state. IHDA accomplishes its mission through a number of federal and state funding sources including the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credits Fund, the allocation of federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and HOME Investment Partnership funds. IHDA is also a bonding authority, and independently sells bonds, based on its own good credit, to finance affordable housing in Illinois.

News for Schaumburg, IL - Tuesday October 13th, 2009 4:45pm
Check out this great home for sale in Beautiful Lake Arlington!
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Great New Listing In The Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates Area - Monday October 12th, 2009 3:53pm
Check out this great new home in the Highlands. Convenient I-90 Access/Great Schools/Great Location/GREAT HOME!!
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News for Schaumburg, IL - Monday October 5th, 2009 5:44pm
Check out this IRS you tube video on the first time homebuyers tax credit!

http://tinyurl.com/nn4wfe

News for Schaumburg, IL - Monday October 5th, 2009 5:35pm
First time home buying in Schaumburg has picked up in recent months. Many Factors including proximity to the city of Chicago and Woodfield Mall have always made this a great & convenient place to live! The first time home buyers tax credit which we all hope will be extended has been the most prominent factor! Great Schools/Great Location still sell in this crazy market!!