Senate approves $15,000 tax credit for all home buyers

Feb 5, 2009
Re/Max International

If you have been watching the news this week, you may have noticed that the debate in Washington has finally turned toward real stimulus for the housing industry. As a result, I believe that we could be on the brink of a substantial turn around in the real estate market. Now, it’s critical that we all join together and deliver a powerful message to our legislators that we support this stimulus.

Last night, the Lieberman/Isakson Amendment was included in the senate version of the Economic Stimulus Bill by a unanimous voice vote. This amendment would provide a Tax Credit to all home buyers at the rate of 10% of the sales price up to a limit of $15,000.  Purchases must be made within one year of the legislationʼs enactment to all purchasers of primary residences, and the tax credit would not have to be repaid. Current law provides for a $7,500 tax break for the first time home buyers only but is required to pay back that amount over a 15-year period.

Today, the senate expects to debate Amendment 353, a proposal by Senator John Ensign (R-NV) that would provide 30 year fixed financing at a rate of about 4%, for anyone purchasing a primary residence.

If these two provisions survive in the final passage of a stimulus bill they could have a tremendous impact on our industry. If they are coupled together with provisions to ease the flow of credit and reduce foreclosures, we could see an immediate and dramatic turn-around in real estate.

I feel that these provisions represent real economic stimulus. They will put money in the hands of millions of homeowners, increase sales, stabilize home values and add more revenues to local communities in the form of property taxes.

I urge each of you to contact your senators and representatives to let them know that you believe these provisions are essential components of any stimulus bill. You can go to the official Senate and House web sites to locate the email and phone number of your legislators.

This may be one of the most critical moments for the real estate industry in our time. Please pass this information on to anyone you might do business with. The outcome of this legislation will have a lasting impact on us all.

To show support for the proposed amendments please contact your Senators by clicking on the following links:

E-mail form for your Senator

Phone numbers for your Senator

Update: 2/7/09 – the proposal to reduce interest rates to 4% was defeated on a vote of 35-62.

Update: 2/12/09 – From the Wall St. Journal online – February 12, 2009