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Good news for home buyers! Governor Schwarzenegger signs $10,000 homebuyer tax credit legislation making a move to encourage Californian first time homebuyers and new construction purchasers to buy homes. I urge anyone looking at property ownership to call their tax accountant to understand how this bill will affect them. Read more http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/14712/

As of March 31^st the Federal Reserve will stop buying mortgages from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Why should you care? It means that banks will have to raise interest rates on the mortgages they originate in order to attract private investors, rather than a guaranteed buyer. Get all the info here: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/personal_finance/20100317_Program_s_end_to_affect_interest_rates.html

Extended until Dec 31, 2010, first time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs may be eligible to receive up to $1500 a month for up to 6 mos to help pay their mortgage.  A qualified co-buyer can also participate in C.A.R.’s (Calif Assoc of Realtors) Housing Affordability Fund Mortgage Protection Program & receive $750 a month for up to 6mos. This free protection program received $1 million from C.A.R.’s & an additional $420,000 from N.A.R.’s (National Assoc) housing affordability funds & are available until the funds run out. Contact your Realtor for an application.

According to author Mark Di Vincenzo of Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon, there are “best times” to move your household in order to save $$$. Feel free to pack on a weekend, but don’t move the family possessions and little Fido until the weekdays. Moving services & suppliers offer bigger discounts for Mon-Thurs gigs.

In addition, he recommends mid-month dates for your relocation because apartment leases affect supply & demand allowing moving companies & suppliers to obtain premium rates near the 1st & end of the month. So monopolize on timing & skip out during the lull.

The big no brainer in his book  is that summer is NOT the best time of the year to move if you’re looking to save money. I think everyone would agree on that point. Approximately 60% of relocations take place during May-Sept, so I’d like to add to his money saving tips by actually giving you a plan…

Buyers should consider savings on moving by purchasing a home as early birds in January to beat the springtime competition. Serious buyers should figure their taxes immediately & try to coinside tax returns for a purchase asap in the new year. They’ll save on the price as well as the physical moving costs by being so pro-active!

Sellers should list their home on the market as soon as possible after the holidays for similar reasons. Beating the competition of other sellers at the springtime rush will help you close escrow sooner & avoid the extra $ involved with moving in the May-Sept premium months. 

There’s no time like the present…to save money!