Want a discount on your next mortgage rate? Tell your lender that you're willing to escrow.

Mortgage rates have troughed. Or, so it seems.

The Federal Open Market Committee released its November 2011 meeting minutes, revealing a Fed split on whether new stimulus is needed for the U.S. economy.

In this 2-minute video, you'll learn how to reduce your home's standard on/off lighting switches using dimmer switches. The dimmer-switch project is a do-it-yourselfer and requires only basic handyman experience.

After 3 consecutive months of easing, the Pending Home Sales Index jumped 10 percent in October, lending credence to the belief that housing is in recovery.

At 8:30 AM ET Friday, the government's Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its November Non-Farm Payrolls report. Have you been floating a mortgage rate? It may be time to lock.

Standard & Poor's released its September 2011 Case-Shiller Index this week. The index tracks home price changes in select cities between months, quarters, and years. The Case-Shiller Index for September showed drastic devaluations nationwide.

If you plan to buy of new construction in 2012, don't expect today's low prices. Like everything in housing of late, the market for newly-built homes appears to be improving.

According to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs Value Report 2011-2012, for each home improvement dollar spent in 2012, homeowners can expect to recoup just 58 cents in home equity.

In 2012, for the 7th straight year, the national, single-family conforming mortgage loan limit will remain at $417,000.

The housing market continues to signal that a broad rebound is underway. In October, despite sparse home inventory, the number of properties sold increased 1.4% nationwide.

As signed into law last Friday, maximum FHA loan limits are -- once again -- as high as $729,750.