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The $8000 Tax Credit for first time home buyer’s (people who have not owned a home in the last 3 years) expires on November 30, 2009.    With the expiration date drawing near, the Realtor and builder lobby groups are pushing lawmakers to extend the program for another 6 months.   If they are successful, it will cost taxpayers of nearly $15 BILLION.  

“Yea” or “Nay”???    Before we cast our vote, we decided to find out whether the tax incentive successful or not?  Specifically, did it persuade people to jump into the market?   Would it be a good investment for taxpayers going forward?

According to a poll conducted by Zillow, the tax credit was persuasive.

• 18 percent of home buyers said the tax credit was the main reason they pushed to buy a home before November 30, 2010.
• Based on the number of first time buyer’s in the marketplace, a 6 month extension could persuade another 335,000 (18 percent) buyers to buy a home of their own.
• If the first time buyer credit is extended, home sales would likely increase 5 percent.  Without it, sales would be down as much as 2 percent.
• Only 31 percent of first time buyers said the credit had no influence on their decision to purchase. 
• 69 percent of buyers said the tax credit was important in motivating them to buy a home this year.

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It seems everyone these days is looking for a bottom in the housing market, or a sign of normalcy, as we’ve known it.  The truth may be that housing will never return to what normal has been in the past.   The reason isn’t the just the economy or tighter lending standards, it’s may be simple demographics.

Please consider why trends in housing may have changed, Permanently.

1. Baby Boomers:  The baby boomers (born 1946-1964) are the largest and spendiest generation in American history, and their 40 year shopping spree is coming to an end.  
2. McMansion Glut:  Boomers are buying fewer single family homes and they are getting rid of the suburban McMansions they purchased when their children lived at home.  Evidence already shows that boomers favor 2 and 3 bedroom condo’s over 4 or 5 bedroom houses.   The Boomer trend to a smaller house, combined with fears of gas prices and long commutes, mean that the big house in the burbs is not the ideal dream house or location that is has been in the past.
3. Baby Boomers, Again:  Boomers are reorganizing their finances.  After the stock market crash, and with retirement approaching, fewer boomers will be purchasing vacation and second homes. 
4. Generation X:  The generation born between 1965-1976 will be unlikely to bid up home prices.  First, there are only 44 million X’ers compared to 76 million boomers.   Secondly, they are not as wealthy as their parents, and they are deeper in debt, due in part to college loans. 
5. Migration Back to City Life:  Due to our aging population, smaller family size and energy costs, people are returning to urban area’s that have not been overbuilt and offer quality of lifestyle. 
6. Permanent Changes:  The days of buying a huge home on a big lot, and paying for it with a 2 hour commute, may be ending.  This trend could mean that owners in McMansion communities, with little to no public transportation, will havetrouble finding buyers.   Some people predict that the large, single family homes, located miles from urban centers, will be subdivided into inexpensive housing for low and moderate income families, as the car lovers who moved to the burbs return back to the convenience of city life.

One thing that is certain is that change happens.  As environmental, economic, political and cultural forces change the way we live, our view of residential home investing will change, too.

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Mega real estate website, Realtor.com (owned by Move Inc), released survey results which showed that 54 percent of the people planning to purchase a home this year are first-time home buyers.  This is good news for home sellers because first-time buyers do not have another property they have to sell.  

In a press release statement, Steve Berkowitz, CEO of Move, Inc had more encouraging news. “It’s not all doom and gloom” said Berkowitz.  “We found Americans are optimistic about homeownership despite concerns.”  He blamed the surge in first time buyer interest on the housing crash…”has created significant demand for homeownership especially among first-time buyers,” Berkowitz continued.

Home seller’s, builders and real estate agents can use this information to their advantage when marketing property.   For example, half (50%) of the first time buyer’s polled had not heard about the $8000 tax credit, so be sure to make them aware of it.  Every little bit of information helps, as most first timers are scared about timing.

Some more interesting facts about marketing to First-Time Buyer is:

• Most prefer more space, or more house for the dollar, over all other amenities.  Be sure to price your home to be the best house for the money.
• Other options that appeal to first time homeowners are energy saving features, such as energy star appliances, insulation, home improvements and upgrades; a bigger yard or outdoor entertaining area; updated amenities.   Emphasize the features in your home that address these popular “wish list” items.
• A better location was also on the wish list for first timers.  If your property is located in a convenient, safe and social area of the city, be sure to let them know what is nearby.   You may want to visit walkscore.com and post your walkscore rating on your advertising.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net home for sale website.  Sellers can place a free property listing on the site.   The site is loaded with freebies, advise and helpful features.   At InfoTube.net, Buyers can search the for fantastic deals and seller’s can do homework on the competition.

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