U.S. foreclosures at an all time high


U.S. foreclosures jumped 32% in April from a year ago. This is not good news.One of every 374 households with a mortgage received a foreclosure filing in April bringing filings to 342,038 according to RealtyTrac.

What is happening is that banks and other lenders are now initiating foreclosure proceedings that previously had been on hold. There had been a temporary freeze by major banks and lenders that ended March 6. When that expired, lenders moved in quickly to start the foreclosure process. It's like a dam broke loose when the freeze ended. Realty Trac expects another three or four months of high foreclosure activity.

There are many "ifs" out there. If unemployment rates decline, the foreclosure rate may subside. If we see more buyers coming into the market, this tidal wave of foreclosures may abate.

If we zero in on a state like Nevada, we find good news and bad news. Foreclosure filings fell 18% in April and bank repossessions dropped 44% But one of every 68 households with loans got a filing, five times the national average. This is up 111% from April 2008. In Florida, the foreclosure rate jumped 37% with one in every 135 households with loans getting a filing. California came in third with one in every 138 housing units getting a filing.

Do you believe that the housing market will improve this year?

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