Home prices rise 0.6 percent in July from June, but evidence of weakness pops up in 7 cities

Summary Box: Home prices rise 0.6 pct. in July

HOME PRICES UP: A national gauge of home prices rose 0.6 percent in July, marking the fourth straight month of increases, according to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index.

SOME CITIES FALTER: Twelve cities posted month-over-month gains in prices, but seven recorded declines in July, a worse showing than the month before. Cleveland’s prices were flat.

OUTLOOK CLOUDY: Prices are expected to decline in the next year because of a record number of foreclosures, skittish buyers and job concerns.