definition of 1st time homebuyer for credit

[MichaelDi09]

I am trying to determine if the $8000 credit available to first-time homebuyers is for a taxpayer who has not purchased a primary residence in the 3 yrs prior to the new purchase date , or has lived in the home as a homeowner for the 3yrs prior?
Appreciate any clarification.

[JohnH]

See pages 11-3 and 11-4 of The Tax Book.
It's spelled out very clearly in those paragraphs.