It's a risky time to be without a locked mortgage rate -- especially with the pending release of January's Non-Farm Payrolls report.

According to the Case-Shiller Index, home values fell in 19 of 20 tracked markets in November 2011.

According to the Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold in December 2011 slipped 2 percent to 307,000 units on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis nationwide.

When a home is listed for sale, its "clutter" can be the difference between a rapid sale and no sale at all.

The housing market continues to show signs of improvement, propelled by low home prices and the cheapest mortgage rates of all-time.

Wednesday, the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged within its current target range of 0.000-0.250 percent.

The Federal Open Market Committee adjourns from a scheduled 2-day meeting today, its first of 8 scheduled meetings this year.

According to data from the National Association of REALTORS®, on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, December's Existing Home Sales climbed by 120,00 units overall from the month prior on its way to an 11-month high.

Home air filters trap and remove dust and particles from the air you breathe; leaving clean air to circulate your home. How long has it been since you last changed your home's air filters?

Single-family housing starts climbed 4 percent last month to 470,000 units on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis. This is the highest number of Single-Family Housing Starts since April 2010 -- the last month of last year's home buyer tax credit.

Homebuilder confidence is soaring, reaching levels not seen in more than 4 years.

Foreclosure filings are fewer these days, according to foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac.