Housing starts dip to lowest level since March '91MSN Money -11 minutes agoThe law includes a temporary $7500 tax credit for first-time homebuyers that essentially works out to a 15-year, interest-free loan. ... Some people may think that once they have found the house of their choice, their shopping days are over. Actually, choosing the house is only the first phase of the whole process. The next step is to find a mortgage with payment terms that fit your budget. Thus, where you shop and what to look for are very important in this stage of home buying.