Visit most Realtor websites these days and you'll be welcomed by a big countdown clock. "Act Now! 22 Days!" screams the Coldwell Banker site.

Buyers must have a signed contract on April 30 to take advantage of the $8,000 credit for first-time homebuyers and $6,500 credit for repeat buyers.

The IRS released stats on the number of Minnesotans who have claimed the credit so far Thursday afternoon:

No numbers were shared for the $6,500 credit. The count is likely to climb as the market heats up closer to deadline.

I stopped by Spill the Wine on Tuesday for Real Estate Bar Camp, an informal event for residential real estate pros featuring sessions about integrating social media such as Facebook and Twitter into the business.

While there, I spoke to Aaron Dickinson, an Edina Realty agent who writes www.twincitiesrealestateblog.com. Dickinson said, and others agreed, that most househunters aren't settling for a purchase just to meet the credit deadline. Many real estate watchers figure that the market will slow down significantly when the credit comes to an end, and buyers will have the power to wring $8,000 or more out of sellers.

Receiving $8,000 from Uncle Sam versus $8,000 in closing costs or a price reduction? It's a wash for buyers.