Q1 2017 Foreclosure Activity Below Pre-Recession Levels Nationwide and In 47 Percent Of U.S. Markets

ATTOM Data Solutions, curator of the nation's largest fused property database, today released its Q1 and March 2017 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows first quarter foreclosure activity was below pre-recession levels nationwide and in 102 out of 216 metropolitan statistical areas (47 percent) analyzed in the report.

Nationwide the report shows foreclosure filings - default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions - were reported on 234,508 U.S. properties in the first quarter of 2017, down 11 percent from the previous quarter and down 19 percent from a year ago to the lowest level since Q3 2006. The first-quarter foreclosure activity total was 16 percent below the pre-recession average of 278,912 properties with foreclosure filings each quarter between Q1 2006 and Q3 2007.

"U.S. foreclosure activity on a quarterly basis first dipped below pre-recession averages in the fourth quarter of last year, and this report shows that trend continuing for the second consecutive quarter," said Daren Blomquist, senior vice president with ATTOM Data Solutions. "The number of local markets dropping below pre-recession levels continues to grow, up from 78 a year ago to 102 in this report."

Markets below pre-recession levels include Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston

The 102 local markets with first quarter foreclosure activity below pre-recession averages included Los Angeles (46 percent below); Dallas (73 percent below); Houston (52 percent below); Miami (44 percent below); and Atlanta (67 percent below).

"The markets HER Realtors serves are 28 to 45 percent below pre-recession levels," said Matthew Watercutter, senior regional vice president and broker of record for HER Realtors, covering the Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati markets in Ohio. "The reduced number of foreclosure properties is consistent with lower unemployment rates, and is contributing to the lack of inventory available to consumers. That low inventory, coupled with increased demand, is causing an increase in housing costs, a reduction in days on market and causing frustration among homebuyers wanting to purchase."

Markets still above pre-recession levels include New York, Chicago, Philadelphia

In 114 out of the 216 markets analyzed (53 percent), first quarter foreclosure activity levels were still above pre-recession averages, including New York (80 percent above); Chicago (9 percent above); Philadelphia (97 percent above); Washington, D.C. (64 percent above); and Boston (26 percent above).

March foreclosure starts up for second consecutive month, down from year ago

The report also shows a total of 83,145 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings in March 2017, up 1 percent from the previous month but down 24 percent from a year ago - the 18th consecutive month with a year-over-year decrease in overall U.S. foreclosure activity.

A total of 36,370 U.S. properties started the foreclosure process in March, up 6 percent from the previous month but still down 24 percent from a year ago. March marked the second consecutive month with a month-over-month increase in foreclosure starts, but foreclosure starts were down on a year-over-year basis for the 21st consecutive month in March.

Lenders completed the foreclosure process on 28,634 U.S. properties in March, down 4 percent from the previous month and down 15 percent from a year ago.

New Jersey, Maryland, Nevada post top state foreclosure rates in March

States with the highest foreclosure rates in March were New Jersey (one in every 497 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Maryland (one in every 820 housing units); Nevada (one in every 857 housing units); Delaware (one in every 858 housing units); and Illinois (one in every 863 housing units).

Trenton, Atlantic City, Philadelphia post top metro foreclosure rates in March

Among 216 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000, those with the highest foreclosure rates in March were Trenton, New Jersey (one in every 355 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Atlantic City, New Jersey (one in every 452 housing units); Philadelphia (one in every 577 housing units); Rockford, Illinois (one in every 631 housing units); and Peoria, Illinois (one in every 710 housing units).

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