House Bill: H 5536
Sponsored by Representatives Tobon, Caldwell, Baginski, Alzate, Edwards, Barros, Corvese, Amore, and Craven
senate Bill: S 478
Sponsored by Senators Pearson, Cano, Miller, Coyne, and Euer
Legislative Explanation
H 5536 and S 478 would authorize the creation of first-time homebuyer savings accounts from which savings to purchase a home could be deducted from an individual’s or couple’s personal income taxes.
Issue Background
H 5536 and S 478 would permit first-time home buyers to open a tax-advantaged savings account and apply the funds toward the purchase of a first home. These savings accounts, which incentivize home buyers to save toward their future home purchase could be helpful in improving Rhode Island’s homeownership rate. Like a 529 college savings plan, funds must be used only for qualified expenses. For example, a down payment or closing cost are among the home-buying expenditures that would qualify for the tax incentive.
According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), a down payment for a home purchase can cost thousands of dollars. In 2020, the median down payment represented 12 percent of the purchase for all homebuyers, seven percent for first-time buyers and 16 percent for repeat buyers. From the perspective of a middle-class homebuyer, down payment costs on a $300,000 home would total $36,000 (excluding closing costs and other fees).
Please let your Representatives and Senators Know:
Rhode Islanders Homebuyers Are Looking for Help
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- Over half of Rhode Islanders and two-thirds of women and non-homeowners see housing affordability as a big problem in Rhode Island.
- Eight in ten Rhode Island non-homeowners consider down payment assistance as the most popular affordable housing proposal.
- One of the main drivers preventing first-time homebuyers from entering the real estate market and taking advantage of historically low interest rates is substantial student loan debt.
Don’t Make Rhode Island Last
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- States that have adopted first-time homebuyer savings accounts legislation: Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Oregon, Virginia.
- States that are considering first-time homebuyer savings accounts legislation: Alabama, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania.
Young Purchasers have Barriers that Many Past Generations Did Not
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- First time homebuyers are declining.
- Barriers include rising home prices, which increase down payment requirements, more rigorous underwriting standards to secure a loan, and potentially increased taxes at settlement, i.e., conveyance taxes passed on to the consumer.
Homeownership has a Big Impact on Impact on the Rhode Island Economy
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- Transitioning from tenant to homeowner generates increased consumer spending for goods and services.
- According to the National Association of REALTORS®, Rhode Island’s real estate industry accounted for nearly $12 billion or 18.2% of the gross state product in 2019.
- The total economic impact of a home transaction in Rhode Island is $89,795.