In the market to purchase a home? Answer this - can you afford it?

We are the New Jersey title insurance agent that does it all for you. For your next commercial real estate transaction, house purchase, mortgage refinance, reverse mortgage, or home equity loan, contact us, Vested Land Services LLC. We can help.

A New York Times column asks - Can I Afford to Buy a Home? And then proceeds to a series of  questions that will help you answer the question.  Here we go:

Buying a home is the biggest financial decision most people will make, with many factors going into that decision. In some markets, renting might be a better option, depending on your personal circumstances.

Your Income

Taking on a mortgage is a long-term commitment. You should be confident that your income level will be stable for the foreseeable future, or at least three to five years, the minimum amount of time before it would likely make financial sense to sell or refinance. 

Your Savings

You will most likely be tapping your savings to make a down payment. Keep in mind that mortgage lenders won’t want you to deplete your savings entirely – they will want you to have cash reserves to cover unexpected expenses. Reserve requirements vary, depending on the lender and type of loan, but figure at least two months’ worth of payments.

There's more to read at the Times.  Hope you find it helpful.

For your next title order or

if you have questions about what you see here, contact

Stephen M. Flatow, Esq.

Vested Land Services LLC

165 Passaic Avenue, Suite 101

Fairfield, NJ 07004

Tel 973-808-6130 - Fax 973-227-0645

E-mail sflatow@vested.com

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First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - Get yours while you can

From RealtyTimes.Com:

Home Buyer Tax Credit Ends Sooner Than You Might Think
by Broderick Perkins

You have less time than you think to cash in on the federal home buyer tax credit.

Unless legislation extends the deal, you'll have to close escrow by Nov. 30 to take advantage of the maximum $8,000 tax credit available for first time home buyers.

The federal tax credit for 2009 is only for first-time home buyers -- people who've had no ownership interest in a home in the three years prior to the purchase. Single and head of household tax payers can earn no more than $75,000. There's a $150,000 ceiling for married couples filing a joint return.

A tax credit is a big deal because, unlike a tax deduction which reduces your taxable income, a tax credit reduces the taxes you owe, dollar-for-dollar.

This home buyer tax credit can also net you a rebate if the credit is more than the taxes you owe. The rebate is the difference. If you owe no taxes, your rebate can be a maximum $8,000.

The Internal Revenue Service has posted Questions and Answers

Apply for your Home Buyer Credit by using IRS Form 5405

For your next title order
or if you have questions about what you see here, contact

Stephen M. Flatow
Vested Title Inc.
648 Newark Avenue, P.O. Box 6453, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Tel 201-656-9220 - Fax 201-656-4506
E-mail vti@vested.com - www.vested.com

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Buying a First Home? New tax break in store for you

Kay Bell writes in Bankrate.com about one part of the Housing and Tax Assistance Act of 2008,

Buying your first home is enough of a challenge in good times. In today's economy, it's almost impossible for some people. So in 2008, federal lawmakers enacted tax legislation they hoped would make the process a bit more affordable. Then in February, the home buying tax break was enhanced.

Unfortunately, the back-to-back changes in the first-time homebuyer credit also created a lot of confusion.

As with many government programs, you have to dive beneath the surface to understand a program and this one is no exception because it is a loan, not a true tax credit.

Typically, tax credits

"allow you to reduce your tax bill dollar for dollar. If you owe the IRS $1,000 and qualify for a $500 credit, your tax bill is halved. The best credits are refundable, meaning that you get the tax break's full value even if you owe no tax. If you owe the IRS $250 and the $500 credit you claim is refundable, you get to wipe out your tax bill and then get the $250 excess credit back as a refund check from Uncle Sam."

"But the original credit for first-time homebuyers, while refundable, must be paid back in equal installments over 15 years of subsequent tax filings. That means homeowners who qualify for the full credit would face a $500-a-year payback, starting with their 2010 return."

So in essence, the 2008-version credit is simply an interest-free loan.

There are other criteria that must be addressed before the program will benefit you. For a full copy of the article go to "First home, new tax break."

Vested Title Inc.
648 Newark Avenue, P.O. Box 6453, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Tel 201-656-9220 - Fax 201-656-4506
E-mail vti@vested.com - www.vested.com

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