The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 offers homebuyers a tax credit of up to $8,000 for purchasing their first home. Until now, families could only access this tax credit after filing their tax returns with the IRS.
HUD Secretary Donovan’s announcement details FHA's rules allowing state Housing Finance Agencies and certain nonprofits to "monetize" up to the full amount of the tax credit (depending on the amount of the mortgage) so that borrowers can immediately apply the funds toward their down payments.
Home buyers using FHA-approved lenders can apply the tax credit to their down payment in excess of 3.5 percent of appraised value or their closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate.
Read HUD's news release.
Read FHA's new mortgagee letter.
The latest in housing and community development from NeighborWorks America
