Obama inks first-time homebuyer tax credit extension legislation

U.S. President Barack Obama has signed into law, HR 3548, the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009. The bill extends the present $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers through April 30, 2010. Current homeowners are eligible for a $6,500 tax credit through April 30, provided they have lived in the home they are selling, or have sold, as principal residence for five consecutive years in the past eight years. If potential homebuyers have a binding contract on or before that date, they will have until July 1 to close the transaction.