Why Rent When You Can Buy a Home?

If you have never owned a home before, it can be a bit daunting. It is a commitment perhaps greater than leasing, but the rewards are high, so can outweigh any fears you might have.

It's not just about the money.....it's also about how you feel when you own your own home. You can enjoy your own home in so many more ways than you can a rental property. You can decorate & paint however you like, you can create a beautiful garden of flowers to enjoy, grow vegetables, have a dog with the security of a fenced yard, and you can build equity for your future. Sometimes, you will even save money when you buy a home because of the tax breaks/deductions you can receive.

Of course, this year until December 1st, there is an even bigger benefit - the $8,000 Tax Credit. This Tax Credit is only available on homes that close before December 1st. Basically, the program is as follows:

* First-time home buyers only on a primary residence (can not have owned a home in the past 3 years. If married, this applies to both spouses.)
* The tax credit does not have to be repaid (as long as you own your home for 3 years).
* The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum amount of $8,000.
* The credit is only available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and prior to December 1, 2009. (if you purchased a home between April 1, 2008 and December 31 2008, don't despair! You may still qualify for the previous $7,500 tax credit.
* Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 (modified adjusted income) and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 (modified adjusted income) qualify for the full tax credit.
* Qualifying properties include Single Family Detached Homes, Attached homes such as Condos & Townhomes & Manufactured Homes.

For more information - http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/glance.php

Beyond the $8,000 Tax Credit, there are several other factors that can make Buying a Home a great deal right now. Interest Rates are at amazing lows and there are many, many Affordable Homes on the market in our area - Austin/Lake Travis and the Marble Falls/Highland Lakes areas. The entire Central Texas Hill Country area around Austin has a lot of homes that are essentially On Sale!! These are two conditions that may not last long together and may not come around again, so it's time to take advantage of the market conditions and buy your own home.

There are other Tax Advantages to owning a home and the result is Savings! You will save money by taking deductions on your income tax for your interest paid on your mortgage and the property taxes that you pay. This can be substantial. By having these deductions available, you can either increase the number of dependents and thus keep more of your paycheck, or just get a tax refund at the end of the year. Either way, it's money in your pocket. As a renter, you get none of these benefits...you just keep paying and get nothing for it.

Another benefit to Home Ownership is the Equity that you will likely generate in your home. Homeownership is generally considered to be a Good Investment. For many, your home is your largest financial asset and a large part of your investment portfolio. Over time, home prices tend to increase on average 4.5% per year. That's a steady return over time. Yes, there may be years when the increase is less and years when the increase is more, but over time, the average is 4.5%. With home prices down slightly over the past, it's like buying a home on sale right now. Over 5 years, a $100,000 could appreciate to almost $125,000!!

The Federal Reserve Board estimates that people who own a home have net worths almost 36 times more than that of renters!!! The appreciation that you get on you home makes a big difference to your personal net worth. For instance, if your home has appreciated to $125,000 in five years, you will also have paid a portion of your mortgage principal down, as well, thus increasing your net worth to over $30,000 with a 5% loan.

Are you ready to be a Homeowner?

Pay your bills on time, keep your credit good, don't buy any new cars or large purchases when you are thinking of buying a home and check your credit report to be sure there are no mistakes or items which should have already been cleared. You can do this at www.myfico.com where, for $8.50, you can subscribe to Score Simulator Service. It will take your actual score and tell you actions that will raise it. You can watch their score increase over time by taking this advice. A higher credit score means you will get better loan terms and rates, generally.

So, What are you Waiting for??!! Not only in the Austin and Highland Lakes areas a great place to live, work, play and invest, it's a great place to buy Your First Home!

Contact us for a FREE COPY OF "Why Rent When You Can Buy?" , a publication of the National Association of Realtors.

Contact Sue Ellett at 512-422-7182 or Brooke LeMond at 512-284-0799 for more information about buying a home in the Austin or Highland Lakes (Marble Falls/Burnet) areas, today!

Sue Ellett, Broker-Associate
Paragon Property Group
Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
512-422-7182
sue@elletts.net

2 Affordable Homes within Walking Distance to Lake LBJ - perfect for First Time Buyers or downsizing

These homes are in a location that can also qualify for USDA Funding (up to 100% possible). At $145,000, both of these homes are brand new construction.

View Flyer Web Page

View Flyer Web Page

Call Sue at 512-422-7182 for information about these homes and any others in the Highland Lakes or Austin/Lake Travis areas. Affordable Homes are out there!

www.ParagonPropertyGroup.com

First Time Buyers - Use your IRA to Buy your Home in the Austin & Highland Lakes areas of the Central Texas Hill Country

Here is another option to think about to help you buy your first home. With interest rates this low, now is a great time to buy - there are many affordable homes & good deals right now in our Central Texas Hill Country. Start by being pre-qualified by one of our Lender-Partners.

Use funds from your IRA to buy a home if you are a first time buyer (including those who have never owned a home or those who haven't owned a home in two years). Use your funds penalty free. Use it in conjunction with your
$8,000 Tax Credit and you can even put the money back to replenish your IRA when you get your Refund Check from the IRS.

Did you know that you can use funds from your IRA to buy a home? The IRS allows first time home buyers (defined by them as anyone who has not owned a home in the last 2 years - so many more people can qualify for this option) to use up to $10,000 in IRA funds toward the purchase of your first home. If you're married, and you and your spouse are both first-time buyers, you each can pull from retirement accounts, giving you $20,000 in residential cash. This is penalty free!

Even more interesting, you can share your IRA funds with family members for their home purchase. The IRS says the first-time home buyer using your IRA funds for a down payment can be you, your spouse, one of your children, a grandchild or a parent.

But, don't take your money out too soon. You must use the IRA funds within 120 days of withdrawal to pay qualified acquisition costs. This includes the costs of buying, building or rebuilding a home, along with any usual settlement, financing or closing costs.

Contact us today to start your pre-approval process with one of our lender-partners. Find out if you qualify!

Sue Ellett, Broker-Associate
Paragon Property Group - Coldwell Banker United Realtors
Texas Affordable Housing Specialist
512-422-7182
suemellett@yahoo.com

Mortgage Rates hit new lows

Freddie Mac report that 30 year mortgage rates fell to a record low of 4.78% this week. This is an unprecedented opportunity for First Time Home Buyers (& all buyers and refinancng homeowners).

Interest rates are unlikely to stay this low for long, so take advantage of them while you can. Take the low rates in conjunction with the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and the possibility of a 3.5% down FHA loan, First Home Buyers have a wonderful opportunity.

Call us about being pre-qualified and see if you can buy your own home. Our Lender Partners will work with us to help you through the process and you'll be on your way to the joys of Home Ownership!

Sue Ellett
Broker-Associate
Coldwell Banker United Realtors
Paragon Property Group
512-422-7182
suemellett@yahoo.com