Coldwell Banker CEO: Tax credit working, survey says

It looks like the extension and expansion of the federal tax credit is working, according to a recent survey conducted by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

“This may mean the move-up buyer is back in the marketplace,” said Jim Gillespie, chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker. “We’ve got a strong market for the first-time buyer and a strong market for investors. The move-up buyer has been sitting on the fence but hopefully the $6,500 tax credit will stir him to contact a REALTOR®.”

The tax credit, which previously was only for first-time homebuyers, is now available to existing homeowners who sign a binding contract before April 30, 2010 and close on the purchase of a home before June 30, 2010.

“We pushed very hard for the extension of the tax credit,” Gillespie said. “We did some further digging to see what buyers would do with the tax credit and it looks like what they would do would help the economy tremendously,” he added.

The survey of 1,000 homeowners showed that 83 percent said that if they were to purchase a home and qualify for the tax credit, they would engage in “smart spending” — or put the money toward existing debts, home improvements, savings/investments or household expenses. Only six percent of respondents indicated they would spend the money on luxury items such as a vacation or shopping spree.

Twenty percent of homeowners are more likely to consider purchasing a home than they were six months ago, thanks to the revised $6,500 federal tax credit, according to the survey.

“It’s important to contact people who have been in their homes for five years to see if they’re interested in moving up. Prices are down and stabilizing and it’s a great opportunity to put their houses on the market,” Gillespie noted. Move-up buyers will have to get their homes on the market very quickly to be eligible, listed, find a buyer and get a contract on their new property before the deadline, he added.

The National Association of REALTORS® recently reported that 47 percent of 2009 home sales were to first-time homebuyers.