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$449,900
Whittier, CA
$499,000
Fuller..., CA
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Anaheim, CA
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$410,000
LOS AN..., CA

First-Time Homebuyers

The deadline is quickly approaching; November 30, 2009 is right around the corner!

On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 20091 was passed, which includes an $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Check with a local CENTURY 21 Agent about state tax credits, as there may be additional tax benefits that may also be in effect in your home state.

The credit does not require repayment. Most of the mechanics of the credit will be the same as under the 2008 rules. To obtain a better understanding of this opportunity including some new benefits for FHA loans, we have compiled the following information:

Before you decide to use the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, please remember to consult with a tax professional. Contact a CENTURY 21 Sales Professional today and get on the PATH HOME.

The CENTURY 21® System commissioned Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB)3 to conduct an online survey with prospective first-time homebuyers to understand how to better serve you as your Professional Champions. A key finding is that "There is strong interest in taking advantage of the first-time homebuyers (FTHB) tax credit included in the stimulus bill, as 77% of potential buyers say the tax credit makes them more likely to buy a home in the next 6 months."2

And an opportunity like this does not come around too often!

Saving the Dream of Home Ownership

If Your Home is on the line --- It's time to reach out to YOUR Resource: A CENTURY 21® Professional Agent
CENTURY 21 Agents can help consumers understand their opportunities in today's challenging market. There are now hundreds of thousands of families all across America facing foreclosure because they simply cannot afford their mortgage payments, or they owe far more than their house is currently worth.

To make matters worse, 50% of homeowners who do lose their homes to foreclosure have never once contacted their lender, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Why Choose a CENTURY 21 Agent in this process?
Understanding and empathizing with consumers is part of what makes our CENTURY 21 Agents 'Professional Champions'. Often there is a sense of embarrassment and a loss of pride when a mortgage payment is late, delayed or delinquent. Our goal is to help as many homeowners who are facing some form of financial difficulty to avoid foreclosure by providing guidance.

Here are direct links to two resource sites available that you can use and educate yourself on how to avoid foreclosure:

1 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Consult a tax professional for details. Credit expires December 1, 2009.
2 2009 National Association of Realtors (NAR, First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit section
3 Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates conducted an online poll on behalf of Century 21 Real Estate LLC with 1,000 prospective first time homebuyers. The survey fielded from March 2-7, 2009, and has a margin of error of ± 3.1%.