Understanding FHA Tax Credit for Home Buyers

According to the Obama administration and happening fairly soon, first-time home buyers throughout the country will have the capability to convert their $8,000 federal tax credits into cash to use at loan closing subject to them using FHA mortgage financing.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development made it clear that buyers getting FHA mortgages from private lenders will have to have a down payment from some of their own savings or cash of a minimum of 3 1/2 percent. This can be from individual savings or even gifts from relatives. So this is not a zero-down program.

A quick instructional overview of the process follows:

In the beginning, you must be eligible as a first-time homebuyer which means you did not own a principal residence within the last three years, and your household gross income is not greater than $95,000 for single tax filers or $170,000 for married couples who file their taxes jointly.

To start, you'll have to make a purchase offer on a home you can afford and apply for a home loan through an FHA-approved lender. That will not be hard, because there are greater than ten-thousand lenders who are FHA approved. The biggest banks or mortgage lenders are probably more apt to offer FHA financing. Homebuilders may also be involved in the program. It is advised to get started quickly on your home shopping because the tax credit initiative mandates that all qualifying transactions to be finalized no later than November 30, 2009.

The lender will often times need additional documentation from purchasers, using FHA guidelines which involve a completed IRS Form 5405, which is a request to the federal government to send you a tax credit check, evidence there is not any judgments, liens, unpaid taxes or other monetary obligations still outstanding that may decrease or wipe out the tax credit, proof from your employer that you are not subject to garnishment of salary.

Ray Heinson is an investor in real estate and suggest these resources for FHA Mortgage Loans and to find FHA Jumbo Loans from trusted lenders in your area.