$18,000 credit for a new home

[Patrick H.]

California is offering $10k for buyers of new homes (first purchase or not). The US government is offering $8k for first time buyers.

I have some friends asking if it is worth buying a new home in California if they can get the $18k in credits.

Since new home prices continue to drop in California, is the credit really worth anything? One option is to wait until November to make a purchase.