Michael on May 25th, 2010
Bookmark and Share

At long last, my wife and I finally bought a home.
You: You started looking a year ago, no?
This round, in New Hampshire, yes.  But we also looked to buy a place in Chicago during 1999 and in New Jersey in 2002.
You: So it took you ten years to buy a home?
Sort of.  But we weren’t [...]

Continue reading about We finally bought a house

Michael on April 28th, 2010
Bookmark and Share

Though my wife and I continue to look for a home, it’s been a while since I blogged about our  housing search. Last year, I shared with you our experiences, including:

Beginning the process of buying a house
Our debate in looking for a home: Location vs. house
How and why to choose a buyer’s [...]

Continue reading about Long overdue update on our home search

Michael on March 26th, 2010
Bookmark and Share

Although Friday comes every week, Friday Q &A comes around only when someone submits a good question AND I have time to answer it.   Both happened this week, so here we go. Want to ask a question?  Click here for more information or simply email a question.
I plan on buying a  home [...]

Continue reading about Friday Q & A: First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Michael on February 19th, 2010
Bookmark and Share

Saving for a home or, more precisely, how to save for a home is today’s Q & A.
You: Q & A?
Although Friday comes every week, Friday Q &A comes around only when someone submits a good question AND I have time to answer it.   Both happened this week, so here we go. Want to ask [...]

Continue reading about Friday Q & A: Saving for a home – How to Save for a home

Due to the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 signed into law on Nov. 6, 2009, the rules surrounding the first time home buyer tax credit have changed again. However, these rules only apply to homes purchased after November 6, 2009.
You: What if I  purchased a home before November 6, 2009?
When did you [...]

Continue reading about Why does the government hate people who purchased homes between June 30, 2005 and April 9, 2008?

On November 6, the first time home buyer tax credit was enhanced and updated.  Here are the changes to the 2009 version of the first time home buyer tax credit resulting from the new legislation:

Deadline extended: Now you have until April 30, 2010 to establish a contract to purchase a home and June 30, 2010 [...]

Continue reading about The new, enhanced, home buyer tax credit – not just for first time home buyers anymore

Michael on October 30th, 2009
Bookmark and Share

Within my post last week titled First time home buyer tax credit may actually expire, I maintained my steadfast belief that Congress and President Obama would not allow the credit to end.  Simply stated, I argued, the housing market is still so unstable that taking away stimulus was unlikely.  (Furthermore, it’s far easier for the [...]

Continue reading about First time home buyer credit – extension talks underway

Michael on October 23rd, 2009
Bookmark and Share

The first time home buyer tax credit is currently set to expire on November 30, 2009.  As the law currently stands, only homes purchases with a closing date before the end of November will qualify for the $8,000 credit.
I have said, numerous times, that I believe the credit will be extended.
You: Why? Who do you [...]

Continue reading about First time home buyer tax credit may actually expire

Michael on September 18th, 2009
Bookmark and Share

It’s Friday, so it’s time for this week’s reader-submitted Q & A. (Two covered this week – I am so motivated!)  If you’d like to submit a question, click here for more information or simply email a question.
I purchased a mobile home over 17 years ago for cash and have been paying rent for [...]

Continue reading about Friday Q & A: More on the first time home buyer tax credit

It’s Friday, so it’s time for this week’s reader-submitted Q & A. If you’d like to submit a question, click here for more information or simply email a question.
I purchased a home in Nov. of 2008 for $200,000. In July of 2009 I sold it for $265,000. If I am using all of the [...]

Continue reading about Friday Q & A: Do I have to pay capital gains taxes when I sell my home? What if I just bought it?