Marla Martin, Communications Manager, or Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications 407/438-1400, ext. 2326 or 2314

Find Your Dream Home Now, Says Florida Realtors®

Homebuyer Tax Credit Requires Purchase Contract by April 30, 2010

ORLANDO, Fla., March 15, 2010 – The clock is ticking: Only seven weeks remain for homebuyers to take advantage of the federal homebuyer tax credit. Buyers must sign a home purchase contract by April 30 and close on the deal by June 30, 2010, or they’ll miss out on the chance to earn money back from Uncle Sam.

“If you’re dreaming of a home in Florida, there’s never been a better time to make your dream come true,” says 2010 Florida Realtors® President Wendell Davis, a broker and regional vice president with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville.

First-time homebuyers can receive up to $8,000 in tax credits, while buyers who already own a home may qualify for up to $6,500 in tax credits. Since the first-time homebuyer tax credit was approved, it has helped more than 1.2 million people purchase their first home, according to housing analysts.

Homebuyers across Florida currently have a range of housing options at attractive prices to consider, and mortgage rates remain near historic lows, Davis points out.

He adds: “Anyone interested in taking advantage of the homebuyer tax credit will want to take part in the upcoming Florida Open House Weekend, sponsored by Florida Realtors on April 10-11. As the first-ever statewide Open House, it offers consumers a great opportunity to view many more open houses in a single weekend – and just in time to take advantage of the federal homebuyer tax credit.”

As part of Florida Open House Weekend, blue balloons featuring the Realtor “R” logo will fly at participating open houses throughout the state during April 10-11, welcoming the public to learn more about the process of buying and selling a home. When consumers step through the door, a friendly knowledgeable Realtor will be available to answer questions about that specific home and provide more information about opportunities in their local housing market.

Consumers can learn more about the Florida Open House Weekend and the homebuyer tax credits by consulting a Realtor in their community. To begin looking for a Realtor who specializes in your preferred area, go to the Florida Living Network, www.fl.living.net, a consumer-oriented website offered by Florida Realtors. It has a search function for Realtors by name, by city and/or by specialty. For more information on the homebuyer tax credit, go to Florida Realtors website at: http://www.floridarealtors.org/AboutFar/homebuyercenter

Florida Realtors®, formerly known as the Florida Association of Realtors®, serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 115,000 members in 67 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.