A total of 92,896 U.S. properties saw foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — in the fourth quarter, according to ATTOM.
That’s down 8% compared with the third quarter but up 2% compared with the fourth quarter of 2022.
States with the highest foreclosure rates in the fourth quarter included Delaware, Ohio, Maryland and South Carolina.
For the year 2023 there were 357,062 foreclosure filings, up 10% from 2022 and up 136% from 2021 – but down 28% from 2019, according to ATTOM’s data.
Foreclosure filings in 2023 were also down 88% from a peak of nearly 2.9 million in 2010.
Those 357,062 properties with foreclosure filings in 2023 represented 0.26% of all U.S. housing units, up slightly from 0.23% in 2022, but down from 0.36% in 2019 and down from a peak of 2.23% in 2010.
Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM, says the recent rise in foreclosure filings “signals a return to more traditional patterns after years of volatility,” and isn’t cause for alarm.
“Our data suggests that while foreclosure activity may fluctuate, it’s unlikely to approach the highs seen in the last decade,” Barber says in a statement. “Instead, we foresee a market that is more reflective of broader economic trends, with foreclosure filings becoming a more predictable aspect of the housing landscape. This shift offers a silver lining — the opportunity for investors, homeowners, and industry professionals to plan and strategize with greater confidence and insight.”
Photo: Matthieu Joannon
