Loan modification? Good luck with that (at MarketWatch) - MarketWatch's Lew Sichelman usually responds to reader questions, but this week, we print a letter from one homeowner, J.N., detailing his attempt to get a loan modification from his mortgage lender. J.N. describes it as "loan-modification hell."

FHA raises fees, tightens mortgage underwriting (at MarketWatch) - The Federal Housing Administration says it would raise down-payment requirements, boost its mortgage-insurance premiums and tighten its loan underwriting practices in the face of rising foreclosures and delinquencies.

Fixed mortgage rates march higher (at MarketWatch) - Fourth straight week of increases.

Is it time to change home appraisal practices? (at MarketWatch) - Devaluing an already devalued market by including short sales and foreclosures when appraising property has not helped the already volatile real-estate market, a reader writes. Is it possible appraisal standards will change in the near future?

Before buying first home, brace yourself for costs (at MarketWatch) - On his road to homeownership, Scott Leibfried has learned one thing: Expect the unexpected.

30-year motgage jumps back over 5% (at MarketWatch) - CHICAGO -- Mortgage rates rose for a third straight week as the 30-year loan climbed back above the 5% level for the first time since Oct. 29, Freddie Mac said Thursday.

Free credit scores may not be worth much (at MarketWatch) - The world of credit ratings is getting more transparent, thanks in part to a number of Web sites offering free credit scores and credit-management tools. But that doesn’t mean understanding your credit ranking is any easier.