Negotiators to curtail homebuyer tax credit-US senators

WASHINGTON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Congressional negotiators are close to agreeing on a $7,500 tax credit to encourage home sales, instead of the larger, $15,000 credit that was in a Senate-passed economic stimulus bill, Senator Joseph Lieberman said on Wednesday.

Lieberman said, "Yes, definitely," when asked by Reuters whether the negotiators were leaning toward the smaller credit for first-time homebuyers that was in a House-passed bill.

Separately, during a Senate committee hearing, Senator Bill Nelson said the $15,000 credit is "likely ... to be cut down to a $7,500 credit" for homes bought after Jan. 1, 2009.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan)