The federal homebuyer tax credit, which provided home buyers with up to $8000, is over, but there are still plenty of opportunities for prospective home buyers to get an excellent home price and additional incentives and bonuses. The real estate market still favors buyers even though we are almost half way through 2010, so purchasing a home this year is still a great financial investment. If you are a buyer still on the fence, don't wait! The buyer's market and a chance to get more home for your money won't be around forever. Plus interest rates in all likelihood will be going up so now is the time to take advantage of every opportunity the real estate market can offer.

Mortgage Advantages for Buyers Seeking Green, Healthy Built Homes and Real Estate

In February the New York Times reported on incentives offered to homebuyers interested in using home loans to make energy efficient upgrades. If you think are thinking of. lowering your home's carbon footprint and decreasing your environmental impact then now is the time to purchase a home and reap the benefits. "Fannie Mae, the government-backed company that sets lending standards for mortgages, said that by this summer it would unveil incentives for those who use part of their mortgages for energy-related improvements", NY Times writer Bob Tedeschi wrote, in an article titled Loans for Green Homes. After running pilot programs in Colorado, Maine and Pennsylvania, borrower incentives are expected to be introduced in New York by EnergyStar, a joint effort of the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency."

It may take time for these incentives to spread to other states, but in the coming months we can expect to see more incentives for anyone making energy efficiency a priority. North Carolina offers a number of incentives available to potential and existing homeowners. The Western North Carolina Green Building Council is a leader in the NC Healthy Built Homes movement. To learn more about local incentives and programs visit www.wncgbc.org.

Real Estate Companies Design Their Own Real Estate Incentives and Bonus Programs

In an April 26, 2010 press release Coldwell Banker announced its Buyer Bonus sales event. In direct response to the deadline for the federal homebuyer tax credit Coldwell Banker has activated a program meant to give potential home buyers some of the same financial incentives. According to Coldwell Banker, from May 1, 2010 to July 31, 2010 thousands of sellers will offer a credit of 3% or up to $8000 to potential buyers.

"The Buyer Bonus Sales Event will allow participating Coldwell Banker home sellers to essentially extend the benefits of the credit," said Jim Gillespie, president and chief executive officer for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.  "Without restrictions such as household income caps, the Coldwell Banker Buyer Bonus Sales Event allows for greater participation for all homebuyers.  And our sellers have a unique opportunity to allow their home to stand out from the competition in their marketplace," he continued.

Perks of the Buyer Bonus Program

Homes participating in the Buyer Bonus program will display Buyer Bonus Sales Event yard signs and be listed as a Buyer Bonus home online at ColdwellBanker.com. Homebuyers interested in taking advantage of the Buyer Bonus Sales Event can also search online for available homes by simply clicking the box labeled "Buyer Bonus Sales Event". Beginning May 1, 2010, homes will also be featured in national television commercials extensive online advertising, promotions on ColdwellBanker.com, social media updates on Facebook and Twitter, as well as in the Coldwell Banker blog and the Coldwell Banker On Location channel.

In the current real estate market sellers and buyers can use any benefits real estate companies, mortgage lenders and the government can provide. Don't miss your chance to own your dream home! Now is the time to take action and with the help of an experienced, knowledgeable real estate agent you can complete a successful real estate transaction.