Looking back at the housing boom is a painful exercise for many homeowners – particularly those who bought at the peak of the real estate market. Who needs another reminder of what was possibly one of the worst financial decisions they ever made? Yet, a look at the first four months of 2010 can’t help but bring back those memories. Pending home sales have risen for three consecutive months, according to the latest numbers released by the National Association of Realtors. In April alone, the Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator, jumped 22.4%, following gains of 7.1% in March and 8.3% in February.