U.S. home prices rose 9 percent in July, according to real estate data and analytics provider Lender Processing Services Inc., which released the latest monthly Home Price Index this morning (HPI).  Prices were up 0.4 percent from the prior month. The HPI compiles data from more than 18,000 U.S. zip codes.

The indexed U.S. home price was $231,000 in August according to the HPI, up from $230,000 in July and $212,000 in August 2012. Prices are still down 14.3 percent from their June 2006 peak of $270,000, according to the index.

Massachusetts prices rose slower than the national average, according to LPS. Bay State home prices rose 0.3 percent from July to $327,000, and were up 6.7 percent from August 2012, when they were indexed at $307,000. However, Massachusetts prices have made up more ground from their boom-era peak and are currently on 9.4 percent less than they were in August of 2005, when the index hit $361,000.