Pending home sales index climbs 5.2% in July - [at MarketWatch] - Pending home sales in July rose 5.2% from downwardly revised June levels, the National Association of Realtors reports, though the indicator shows the market for existing homes is still depressed after the expiration of a key tax benefit.

Fixed-rate mortgages, 5-year ARMs hit record low - [at MarketWatch] - Fixed-rate mortgages and 5-year ARMS are at record lows this week.

A 15-year mortgage isn't for everyone - [at MarketWatch] - A growing number of homeowners are choosing to pay down their mortgages at a faster rate -- even if it means a substantial jump in their monthly payments.

The dark side of loan-modification assistance - [at MarketWatch] - An employee at a home-loan modification "law firm" offers a word of warning about the services offered by the company for which he works.

Fixed mortgage rates fall in nine of past 10 weeks - [at MarketWatch] - Rates on fixed-rate mortgages hit another low this week, after recent reports showed drops in existing- and new-home sales, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey.

Foreclosures drop, but new delinquencies rise - [at MarketWatch] - The percentage of homes somewhere in the foreclosure process fell in the second quarter, Mortgage Bankers Association data show. It marks the first drop since 2006 and the largest quarter-to-quarter drop since 2005.

Eight credit-repair tips after bankruptcy - [at MarketWatch] - You’re one of the millions of consumers who have erased financial hardships by filing for bankruptcy. Now what?