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Don't tap retirement fund to pay off mortgage
[at MarketWatch] - In this week's Realty Q&A, a retiree says his only debt is his $94,000 mortgage, and he wonders whether he should tap his 401 to pay off that bill. Lew Sichelman offers some advice.

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?

Four ways to lower your mortgage rate
[at MarketWatch] - If you’re looking to save some money, look no further than your mortgage. After all, that loan is probably your biggest monthly expense -- and rates are at record lows.

Top five places to find foreclosure bargains
[at MarketWatch] - A foreclosed home might be a good investment right now, but some housing markets are better than others for finding foreclosure gems.

Short-sale advice for seller with home-equity line
[at MarketWatch] - A homeowner with three outstanding mortgage loans, including a home-equity line of credit, is wondering whether to pay off that credit line before or after the home sale goes through.

Fixed-rate mortgages break record low: Freddie Mac
[at MarketWatch] - Rates on fixed-rate mortgages dropped this week, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey of conforming mortgage rates. It's the ninth week in a row that fixed-rate mortgages have met or set a record low, according to Freddie Mac's deputy chief economist.

Text of Geithner's speech on Fannie and Freddie
[at MarketWatch] - The following is an edited transcript of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s comments to the conference on the future of housing finance.

Fed pushes greater disclosure on mortgage payments
[at MarketWatch] - The Fed issues a package of consumer-oriented rules and proposals for disclosures about mortgages, while announcing adoption of final rules on related matters.

Homebuyers beware: Tougher rules for FHA loans
[at MarketWatch] - Consumers looking for home loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration will face tougher hurdles and higher costs under new legislation and new rules that could take effect as soon as this month.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are fixer-uppers
[at MarketWatch] - Putting Fannie and Freddie on a firmer foundation won’t be easy, and as anyone who has remodeled a house knows all too well, the job always takes longer than planned and costs a lot more than expected.

Five mortgage funds for yield-hungry buyers
[at MarketWatch] - Mortgage rates are sliding, good news for home buyers but not for yield-oriented investors. Yet the best of mortgage-backed bond funds should be able to ride out the tough rate climate.

Short sales rise, and so does fraud
[at MarketWatch] - The volume of short sales have more than tripled since 2008, according to CoreLogic, a provider of consumer, financial and property information and business services. Also on the rise: the incidence of short-sale fraud.

When condo owners run afoul of HOAs
[at MarketWatch] - One homeowner can't refinance because of the lawsuit his homeowners association is facing. Elsewhere, a condominium member wonders what course his HOA can take to deal with an owner who is flouting association rules.

Boomers say travel, pet care are needs, not wants
[at MarketWatch] - Do you need or just want your Internet connection and an annual family vacation? What about your pet? For many baby boomers, those are all basic needs, not luxuries, according to a new survey.