While new-home sales fell in December, analysts say there are strong signs that 2012 won't be as bad for builders.

First-time home buyers are coming with a big wish list to their home shopping, but when it comes down to it, they'd rather live small than large.

After posting a series of record lows, mortgage rates reversed course this week, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey.

"They were very private people. They didn't want anything showy," says the real estate agent selling the Rancho Mirage, Calif., home belonging to the late President Ford and First Lady Betty Ford.

In one metro area, homes in foreclosure are being sold at up to a 68 percent discount compared to the average sales price of homes not in foreclosure. Find out where the biggest foreclosure deals abound.

As rents rise, housing analysts believe more apartment tenants will look to own.