Home buyers facing deadline for tax credit

Time is running out for qualified home buyers to take advantage of the 2010 home buyer's credit. First-time and existing home buyers have until this Thursday, September 30, 2010, to close on their purchases in order to take advantage of the credit. The original version of the credit had a June 30, 2010, deadline, but Congress pushed through an extension after complaints from Realtors, mortgage brokers and taxpayers.

This doesn't mean you can rush right out and sign a contract today. Under the law as extended, homeowners must have entered into a bona fide sales agreement to buy a new home by April 30, 2010. However, in order to qualify for the credit, home buyers have until September 30, 2010, to close on the deal. The extended deadline does not affect the criteria for the credit; it otherwise remains the same.