Your Money

MORTGAGE TWO-TIMERS Your mortgage broker is supposed to be working for you, sifting the best deal from among lenders. But a new government report warns that many brokers, who handle half of all mortgages, have undisclosed agreements with lenders, letting them make money on top of the $1,000 to $3,000 per loan that borrowers typically ante up. Ask about such deals before you pay any fee. Also, that fee shouldn't go up just because rates do.

HOME RULE The IRS has been picky when it comes to taking deductions for using part of your home as an office. But a change in tax law taking effect this year will allow self-employed people who spend most of their time on the road but do administrative work in their home office--e.g., contractors and salespersons--to take the write-off. The old rule required that you do all work at home. But remember, the home office still must be used exclusively for your job to qualify.

NIGHT TRADING If you're sick of online-trading outages, just wait until dark. Last week Discover Brokerage said that come this summer, it will offer extended Net trading hours, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (E.T.), letting retail investors react to late-breaking news the same way institutions do. Wit Capital has similar plans. Just be aware that since the trading volume after-hours is lower, price volatility can increase.