Foreclosure Activity Continues to Trend Upward

Foreclosure activity has been trending up over the last several months, and April was no different, according to recent data from property data provider ATTOM. In April, there were a total of 42,430 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings, which is an 18% increase year-over-year. However, on a month-over-month basis, foreclosure activity was down by 8%. Overall, one in every 3,388 housing units nationwide had a foreclosure filing in April.

Which areas saw the most foreclosure filings?

Delaware led the way with the most foreclosure filings. There, one in every 1,739 housing units had a foreclosure filing. South Carolina followed with one in every 1,745 housing units having a foreclosure filing, and then Florida, where one in every 2,092 housing units had a foreclosure filing.

These foreclosure trends were mirrored at the metro level. Among metro areas with populations of 500,000 or more, Lakeland, Fla., recorded the worst foreclosure rate in April, with one filing for every 1,221 housing units. Columbia, S.C., followed. In this metro, one in every 1,287 housing units had a foreclosure filing. Similarly, Charleston, S.C., recorded one foreclosure filing for every 1,483 housing units.