Sure, interest rates are at record lows. But your credit score and the amount you bring to the table affect how much you'll pay for the loan.
Meanwhile, bidding wars are erupting in some cities, and human judgment makes a comeback as lenders look for ways to safely approve more mortgages.
What goes around comes around, so enjoy these record low interest rates while they're here.
Even if you just refinanced not so long ago, the benefits of doing so again may well outweigh standing pat.
The Fed's announcement spells more bad news for savers -- but good news for homebuyers.
What the Fed gives in low rates, though, Congress is taking away by raising fees to fund recent payroll tax reduction.
Zillow says homes lost $681 billion this year. The good news: Losses are slowing and some believe the worst may be over.
Government inquiry led to action in shutting down 500 suspected mortgage-modification fraud advertising online.
VIDEO ON MSN MONEY
DATA PROVIDERS
Copyright © 2013 Microsoft. All rights reserved.
Quotes are real-time for NASDAQ, NYSE and AMEX. See delay times for other exchanges.
Fundamental company data and historical chart data provided by Thomson Reuters (click for restrictions). Real-time quotes provided by BATS Exchange. Real-time index quotes and delayed quotes supplied by Interactive Data Real-Time Services. Fund summary, fund performance and dividend data provided by Morningstar Inc. Analyst recommendations provided by Zacks Investment Research. StockScouter data provided by Verus Analytics. IPO data provided by Hoover's Inc. Index membership data provided by SIX Financial Information.
Japanese stock price data provided by Nomura Research Institute Ltd.; quotes delayed 20 minutes. Canadian fund data provided by CANNEX Financial Exchanges Ltd.
TOP STOCKS
The Dow jumps 109 points after rising as many as 191. Oil-price jitters and rising rates trim gains. Those factors and the Fed may weigh on markets Tuesday.
MARKET DISPATCHES
The Market Dispatches column has been discontinued. Here's where to find the latest stock and business news on MSN Money, and the latest from market writer Charley Blaine.
FRUGAL COOL
Starting Monday, this site is joining forces with MSN Money Smart Spending. Here's why.
MONEY & POLITICS
Breaking up big banks is an untested solution to the too big to fail problem that attempts to isolate and dismantle large, troubled institutions while protecting the rest of the economy.
SMART SPENDING
Children from lower income families are at greater risk of suffering accidental injuries and being sickened by food, according to a Consumer Federation of America study.
SMART TAXES
The IRS is struggling to combat identify thieves who file fraudulent tax returns in the names of older residents who don't need to file.

