Already over half a million Americans have taken advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit on their 2008 tax returns. The program is working but efforts to get the $8,000 first time homebuyer credit available to the buyer at closing have stalled at the IRS office. The Governor has signed the legislation that allows the Washington State Housing Finance Commission to make the funds available. Washington REALTORS® have provided the money to guarantee the program and all that is left is some sort of mechanism to ensure that when the borrower receives the $8,000 from the IRS, those funds are dedicated to pay off the bridge loan. Since working with an agency the size of the IRS is tenuous, we are working on alternatives to make this program available by the end of June.

Here is what you can do in the mean time. Attend a Free Homebuyer Education Class: Home buyers can attend a Washington State Housing Finance Commission Sponsored Home Buyer Education Seminar; this 5-hour seminar is a requirement for receiving a loan from the Commission.

Other Loans Are Available Now: Look into the House Key Program for first mortgages for first-time home buyers; and, there are Second Mortgage Loans for Down Payment Assistance available through the Commission when using the House Key Program. There are down payment assistance programs for those with disabilities, for teachers, veterans and those who live in certain rural areas. There is even a conventional first mortgage loan available right now through the Express Loan Program for first-time home buyers that can be used in conjunction with the House Key Plus Down payment Assistance Program.

Start working with a participating lender now: Meet with a House Key trained loan officer and determine if you qualify for a mortgage loan according to FHA, VA, Rural Housing Services (RHS), or conventional loan standards.

Information and help with all these services are available through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s Homeownership Division and I can certainly refer you to a qualified lender.