It has all come down to the wire! Congress voted to extend homebuyers tax credit and national flood insurance.

Homebuyer Tax Credit Bill HR 5623 – The closing date of the previous stated closing deadline by June 30, 2010 has been extended through September 30, 2010. This extension will help homebuyers who signed purchase contracts before April 30, 2010 and are waiting for the property owner’s lender for approval.  According to the National Association of Realtors, it will benefit more than 14, 000 contracts in Florida.

Active Duty Military members exception - military families and active-duty servicemembers currently living overseas, deadline is April 30, 2011.

National Flood Insurance Program - Congress extended the bill HR5569 a short-term program retroactive to May 31,2010 until September 30, 2010.

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taxduedateWith the infamous tax deadline filing of April 15th  fast approaching, there are questions homeowners, buyers and investors in Lakeland, Florida and around the country may have. Are you prepared? While everyone’s financial situation is unique and I’m not a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), I do advise you seek a professional advice for your situation.

Possible Tax Deductions for Homeowner and Seller – Sellers if you sold your Lakeland main home in 2008, you may be able to exclude from income any gain up to a limit of $250,000 ($500,000 on a joint return in most cases). Your mortgage interests, property real estate taxes and other fees may be tax deductible. You may be able to deduct amounts of some energy efficient improvements, such as solar water heating costs, solar electric costs, small wind energy property costs, and geothermal heat pump.

Possible Tax Credit for 1st Time Home Buyers Answers – Are you still waiting over the fence? While I can’t predict the future, I do know that our home prices in Lakeland and surrounding cities in Polk County are at levels we have not seen in a long time. With the possibility of obtaining a maximum $8000 tax credit that you may recoup in a 2008 tax return or if filed in a 2008 tax return amendment, all time low interest rate, the possibilities of seller’s or builder’s incentives; this is as good as it gets. As it stands right now, this great government incentive of $8000 will run out on December 1st, 2009. Why are you still paying rent?

Possible Tax Deduction for Investors – Do you recommend selling? This question is being asked mostly by absentee owners and investors. With investment properties, you have to take both – the good and the bad. While you have had the pleasure of getting top rent dollars with a great tenants and surely made profit along the way, I hope you also thought about “rainy days” as it is now and put money into a reserve account. For the losses accrued throughout this past year, the loss may be carryover to future gains on your tax return, depending on your situation. For this, I would definitely seek the advice of a CPA specializing in investment properties.

While I do recommend holding on to your property while riding out the storm because the value of the property is only on paper, your situation may warrant where there is no other alternative other than to sell. Give me a call and I will do my best to answer all your questions.

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Home Buyers – Homeowners – Property Investors – Tax Deadline April 15th

Petra Norris – Realtor®

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

P.O. Box 92050 – Lakeland, FL 33804-2050

Telephone (863) 618-6919

The $789 Billion stimulus package was unveiled signed, sealed and delivered to the American people.

First-Time Homebuyers listen up! It is now the best time to buy homes in Lakeland, Bartow, Winter Haven, and all the surrounding cities in Polk County, Florida.

  1. Prices for Homes in Lakeland, Florida and throughout Polk County have dropped to 2004 level.
  2. Interest rates are at an all time low, lingering around 5%
  3. Housing Inventory have reached it’s highest level
  4. Now, you can deduct $8,000 when buying your first Lakeland home.

Click here to search Lakeland area homes

Check out this reference chart! There was some confusion about the tax credit with the $15,000 credit being axed by the plan and the new $8,000 tax credit compared to the $7,500.

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