The credit score average for approved mortgage applicant was 750 last month. From The Today Show from NBC, here are basic tips to maximize your FICO.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, Single-Family Housing Starts rose to 603,000 last month, an 11 percent increase from the month prior and the highest reading in more than 4 years.

Tuesday, the National Association of Homebuilders reported its monthly Housing Market Index (HMI) at 41, a one-tick improvement from September and the highest HMI value since June 2006 -- a span of 77 months.

Home purchasing power is up 6.6% since the start of the year.

Mortgage markets improved slightly last week. With a dearth of new U.S. economic data due for release, investors turned their collective attention to the Europe, China, and the Middle East. U.S. mortgage rates fell slightly in the holiday-shortened week.

According to foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac, in September, the number of foreclosure filings nationwide fell 7 percent from the month prior, and fell 16 percent from September 2011.

Mortgage volume is expected to remain high through the end of 2012 and into 2013. Follow these steps to help close your loan on time, and with few headaches.

The number of U.S. metropolitan area showing "measurable and sustained growth" climbed to 103 this month.

Mortgage markets worsened last week for the first time in a month last week.

The minutes from the Federal Reserve's September Federal Open Market Committee meeting were released Thursday.

Friday morning, at 8:30 AM ET, the government releases its Non-Farm Payrolls report for September. Mortgage rates may rise if job growth was strong.

Home appraisals thwart 33 percent of home purchase contracts nationwide. Here are steps you can take to help your home appraise at value.