New reports suggest that, even with the rebounding economy and lower jobless rates, homeowners are still having a difficult time keeping up with mortgage payments.

The percentage of homeowners nationwide who fell 60 days or more behind on their mortgage payments inched upward during the fourth quarter of 2011, to land at 6.01 percent, according to a report from TransUnion. This is the second rise since 2009. Thirty-seven states experienced a rise in mortgage delinquency rates from the third quarter of 2011 to the fourth quarter.

"To see that, quarter over quarter, fewer homeowners were able to make their mortgage payments is not welcome news," said Tim Martin, group vice president of U.S. Housing in TransUnion's financial services business unit.

Martin does point out, however, that the housing market can be seasonal, and even before the recession there were traditionally more delinquent mortgages during the fourth quarter than during other times of the year. The states with the highest delinquency rates were Florida (14.27 percent), Nevada (12.08 percent) and New Jersey (8.32 percent), according to the report.

VA home loans are among the strongest in the housing market today, according to recent information from VA. Foreclosures on mortgages backed by VA fell by 28 percent during 2011.

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