Tombaan, right now anything that will get your case noticed , go for it. I too have noted a change of address is triggering off something. But mind you, there are Lot of people who have filed AR-11. I can't remember the stats on that.
As per buying a house, I bought it after my labor had got approved, since I was getting close to 6 yrs on h1.
If you find some house you really like, the interest rates are still lower, and if you believe you have a steady job in the area you are living in, then buying a house will be a good idea.
hope this helps.