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The homebuyer tax credit is working! Let us know how it works for you. Email us at ItWorks@FixHousingFirst.com.

• "I provide permit services for several national and local builders in the Maryland areas.  I believe I survived this hard economic time due to the tax credit the government has in place for first time homebuyers.  I think it should be extended and should be offered to everyone that buys a home.  This will help everyone in our industry get back to working hard then hardly working at all.  It's building that stimulates the economy."  - Victoria, Maryland
• "During the past year the $8000 housing tax credit has had a positive effect on our ability to survive the economic decline. As a developer of a 600 acre project we provide hundreds of jobs. We feel that the housing tax credit is one of the most important tools to employing many people quickly. Big projects like highways and public infrastructure often take too long to have a meaningful impact on employment. We urge you to continue the tax credit and to make it available for any buyer rather than first time buyers." - David, Kentucky

• "I am a divorced mother of three young children, who works 40 hard hours a week and struggles most times to provide the best for my children.  I have very little money saved and an active 401K. Without the First Time HomeBuyers Tax Credit, I would not have been able to purchase a home.  At 33 years old, this is a very big accomplishment for me.  This Tax Credit benefits many areas of the economy & the housing market and I feel very strongly about the continuation of this type of credit.  I know many people who have benefited from this and many more who will. I encourage Washington to continue the Tax Credit that has assisted a large number of us wishful homebuyers, home builders and everyone else who benefits from it." - Cheryl, North Carolina

Don't just email us stories - send us stories AND more pictures like this! ItWorks@FixHousingFirst.com

"We would like to share our story with you regarding this incredible opportunity and how it affected our lives not just professionally but personally.

We have attached a photo of our daughter and grandson who moved into their first home on August 10, 2009. Our daughter is a single full time working mother with no support from her son's father. The opportunity to purchase a home would not have been possible without the tax credit as the home she purchased needed improvements and updating.

This program has assisted so many of our clients this past year that were not in a position to purchase a home without it. As parents and real estate professionals, we urge you to extend this program to all buyers who have the ability to purchase a home now and help us correct our housing market and replenish our economic status." - Robin & Wayne, Nevada

Here's a story from BuilderOnline about a new study out from Zillow which estimates that extending the $8,000 tax credit would attract 334,000 extra buyers. All of this, of course, confirms what we know and what all the stories below have confirmed. Don't forget to click here to add your voice to all those who have weighed in with the White House and the Treasury Department to urge them to extend and expand the credit.

Here is a new study - just released - that proves what everyone on the front lines already knows - that the first-time home buyer tax credit has proven to be an effective tool to jump-start the US housing market. Issued exactly two months before the credit is due to expire, the study, entitled, "Examining the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit," offers empirical analysis on how the tax credit is reducing inventories while stabilizing prices. As Washington policy-makers evaluate the success of the entire stimulus package passed earlier this year, the study illustrates that the tax credit is an unparalleled standout, with stimulative effects far beyond a single purchase.  Further, the study clearly demonstrates the urgency of passing a temporary extension and expansion of the credit to prevent a halting of the housing recovery and a slowing of the economy's momentum. You can see the executive summary of the study here and can read the full study here. And here are a few graphs that visually depict the dramatic success of the credit. 

Just a sampling of the stuff that's pouring into our "In" box these days:

• "I have been a very successful REALTOR  in the upstate of South Carolina for almost 32 years and have never had a serious problem finding buyers, that stopped near the end of 2008... however near the end of January, the bottom fell from the very slow second half of '08 until the $8,000 Tax Credit was announced. Many of the folks who had been "sitting on the fence" with fear decided to start looking... Many school teachers (especially single women) decided to buy instead of renting and of course needed washer, dryers & refrigerators, plus curtains, blinds, and other items that stimulated other sectors of the economy. Please continue this as and keep all sectors of jobs, banks and the economy going in a forward manner." - Joyce, South Carolina
• "My daughter was finally able to purchase her first home thanks to the first time homebuyers credit. She took advantage of the tax credit and has been good for the economy in New Jersey in purchasing furniture at Raymour and Flanagan, Walmart, JCPenneys, Target and Staples.  She has also purchased items at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Crate and Barrel, and other stores.  All of which would not have occurred had she not been able to purchase her new condo.  She has also hired work done on her A/C unit as well as electrical work. Please keep this in place or even better expand the credit to all homebuyers.  It has given the Realtor, mortgage, & title business a great shot in the arm." - Donna, New Jersey

Let us know how the homebuyer tax credit is working for you - email us at ItWorks@FixHousingFirst.com!