Foreclosures were up month over month but down on an annual basis in October, with activity remaining low but potential pressure points coalescing as the calendar year nears its end.
There were 30,784 properties nationwide with foreclosure filings, including default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions, according to Attom. That’s up from 29,668 properties in September.
The increase halts a two-month streak of dwindling filings, though overall, foreclosures remain relatively low. Across the country, one in every 4,578 housing units had a foreclosure filing in October.
“Foreclosure activity remains challenging for U.S. homeowners, with starts and completed foreclosures up in October,” said Attom CEO Rob Barber. “As we approach 2025, the recent Fed rate cut and the new administration could impact mortgage rates and market stability. While seasonal factors may slow things down briefly, we’ll be watching closely to see how these recent dynamics affect the market in the coming year.”
Lenders began the foreclosure process on 20,950 properties in October, up 6% monthly but down 10% yearly. Completions rose month over month, too, with lenders repossessing 2,938 properties through REO actions in October, up 12% from September, though down 12% from October 2023.
Nevada had the highest foreclosure rate in the nation in October, with one in every 2,741 housing units carrying a filing. Next was New Jersey (one in every 3,059), followed by Florida (one in every 3,086), California (one in every 3,152) and South Carolina (one in every 3,272).
Of the metros with a population of at least 200,000 people, Vallejo, California had the highest rate at one in every 1,464 units. Of the metros with a population greater than 1 million, California’s Inland Empire held the dubious distinction of having the highest foreclosure rate (one in every 1,978), followed by Cleveland (one in every 2,186); Fresno, California (one in every 2,247); Indianapolis (one in every 2,293); and Las Vegas (one in every 2,314).