I was told to day that first time new home owners can get a loan from the government up to 7500$ interest free for 15 years! I know where Im investing a bunch of mine!
OK - called Mom and got the lowdown on this deal. I'll explain it as simply as I can.
You must buy a home between Apr 9 and June 30, 2009
You will receive a $7500 tax credit when you file your 2009 taxes (so if you were to get a $600 refund, you would get an $8100 refund)
you will have a 2 year grace period to begin repayment
you will repay at 1/15 of the credit per year for 15 years.
if the house sells for a profit before the credit is repayed - you will owe it back immediately
if the house sells for a loss, the credit is forgiven.
there are other stipulations - but that's the short version of it.
Her advice - skip that tax credit. There is another program available that allows for a $2000 tax credit per year FOR THE LIFE OF THE LOAN. Do the math, if you stay in a house for 7 years (average time for US homeowners) - that is $14,000 tax credits.