Serena Russell ~ Bay Area Real Estate Specialist

If you never envisioned yourself as a homeowner, by the end of this month, you just might be. And Just in time.

Even single parents have a chance in this marketplace. In some parts of the country, you can purchase a  three-bedroom single family house for less than $150,000.

To be eligible for the federal tax credits—up to $8,000 for qualified first-timers and up to $6,500 for certain repeat buyers—houses must be under contract by April 30, with settlement by June 30, 2010.

With those deadlines in sight, some real estate agents say they are relishing their first busy days in months.

For some buyers, a tax credit is an added perk in an already-friendly market with good inventory and low mortgage rates.

Non profit organizations are another source of down payment assistance for some people.  Some  state loan program that may  provide money up front for  closing costs or maintenance on the house.

The tax credit is creating  flurry of activity  noticeable in areas with a strong inventory of homes affordable to young families.

For repeat buyer, the first-time-buyer credit is  an added bonus.