Update5 The Latest On ‘$8,000 Tax Credit As Downpayment’
UPDATE5: IT”S OFFICIAL — for the time being at least. HUD announced the finalized details of their plan to allow FHA borrowers to “monetize” the $8,000 first-time homebuyer’s tax credit provided under the president’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. While the tax credit CANNOT be used to meet the downpayment requirement, it can be used to contribute to either a higher downpayment or to pay for closing costs:
Currently, borrowers applying for an FHA-insured mortgage are required to make a minimum 3.5 percent downpayment on the purchase of their home. Current law does not permit approved lenders to monetize the tax credit to meet the required 3.5 percent minimum down payment, but, under the terms of today’s announcement, lenders can now monetize the tax credit for use as additional down payment, or for other closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate.
