Let's Go House Shopping!!   TAX CREDIT FOR HOME BUYERS First-Time Home buyers (FTHBs): First-time home buyers (that is, people who have not owned a home within the last three years) may be eligible for the tax credit. The credit for FTHBs is 10% of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000. Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount. Current Owners: The tax credit program now gives those who already own a residence some additional reasons to move to a new home. This incentive comes in the form of a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years. Single taxpayers and married coupl... 11/10/2009

Something to think about........   December 2007 Over the past two years, a dozen states have passed foreclosure "protection" laws, and many states are following suit. Even in states where there are no specific foreclosure protection laws in place, there's plenty of power within the state Attorney General or County District Attorney's office to prosecute a real estate investor. Here's some of the things you need to do to stay out of trouble: GET ALL AGREEMENTS IN WRITING Oral agreements are not good anymore, and they often lead to a dangerous "he said, she said". If you get a deed from an owner across a kitchen table, it is a legal transfer, but you should document everything first with a contract and/or set of good, clear disclosures. These disclosures include the fact that the owner ... 12/04/2007