Wednesday, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Housing Starts for single-family homes up 5.5 percent in August to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized count of 535,000 units nationwide.

As reported by the National Association of Home Builders, the Housing Market Index, a measure of builder confidence, rose to a reading of 40 in September -- its highest mark since June 2006.

According to foreclosure data firm RealtyTrac, foreclosure activity increased 1 percent in August as compared to the month prior, climbing to just above 193,500 units nationwide.

Mortgage markets improved last week as the Federal Reserve introduced new economic stimulus.

The Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged within its current target range of 0.000-0.250 percent Thursday, while adding new market stimulus.

The FOMC adjourns from a 2-day meeting today. Mortgage rates are expected to change -- perhaps by a lot.

The number of U.S. housing markets showing "measurable and sustained growth" has increased by 19 this month, according to the National Association of Homebuilders' Improving Market Index.

For today's home buyers and refinancing households, the value of "good credit" has never been higher.

Mortgage rates rose slightly in last week's holiday-shortened week.

Beginning as soon as next week, new, mandatory mortgage fees will push conforming mortgage rates higher nationwide.

According to the Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller Index, home prices rose 6.9% between the first and second quarter of 2012, the largest quarter-to-quarter gain since the home-value tracker's 1987 inception.

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