“Stimulating the housing market is one of the best ways Congress can help accelerate the recovery of our national economy.  Offering $15,000 to potential homebuyers is a powerful incentive that I believe will jumpstart the housing market. 

“The current $8,000 credit for first-time buyers has had a positive effect on the housing market this year. Increasing the amount and expanding the benefit to include all homebuyers will have an even larger impact in spurring the housing market and stabilizing the economy.

“As this bipartisan proposal moves forward, we hope that policy makers will make the tax credit refundable as a tax refund if the person’s tax liability is less than the amount of the credit, so borrowers can take full advantage of this benefit.  In addition, we believe that the tax credit ought to be made available at the closing table.  One of the greatest hurdles for many homebuyers is saving money for their down payment.  If this money could be made available at the closing table, as FHA has done with the existing tax credit for first-time homebuyers, it will have the potential to help even more borrowers.”     

A letter to U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), who introduced S. 1230, can be found on www.mortgagebankers.org.

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The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is the national association representing the real estate finance industry, an industry that employs more than 280,000 people in virtually every community in the country. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the association works to ensure the continued strength of the nation's residential and commercial real estate markets; to expand homeownership and extend access to affordable housing to all Americans. MBA promotes fair and ethical lending practices and fosters professional excellence among real estate finance employees through a wide range of educational programs and a variety of publications. Its membership of over 2,400 companies includes all elements of real estate finance: mortgage companies, mortgage brokers, commercial banks, thrifts, Wall Street conduits, life insurance companies and others in the mortgage lending field. For additional information, visit MBA's Web site:  www.mortgagebankers.org.