The U.S. mortgage delinquency rate decreased to 3.21% in March, down 9% compared with February but up 0.41% compared with March 2024, according to ICE Mortgage Technology’s First Look report.
As of the end of March, there were roughly 1.744 million residential properties in some stage of delinquency (30 days or more past due), a decrease of about 169,000 compared with February but up about 33,000 compared with March 2024.
There were about 495,000 properties in serious delinquency (90 days or more past due but not in foreclosure) in March, down about 33,000 compared with the previous month but up about 60,000 compared with same time last year.
The U.S. foreclosure pre-sale inventory rate was 0.39%, an increase of 0.81% compared with February and up 2% compared with March 2025.
As of the end of the month, there were about 213,000 priorities in the in foreclosure presale inventory, up about 2,000 from the month prior and up about 7,000 from a year ago.
There were about 33.000 foreclosure starts in March, basically flat compared withe February but up nearly 30% compared with a year earlier.
The monthly prepayment rate stood at 0.59%, up 30% compared with February and up 22% compared with March 2024.
There were 6,100 foreclosure sales (REO) in March, up nearly 9% compared with the month prior and up about 4.4% compared with a year earlier.
ICE notes that higher SDQs, along with the lifting of a VA foreclosure moratorium, fueled a modest bump in foreclosure inventory and sales, which both rose annually for the first time in nearly two years.
What’s more, disaster events, such as hurricanes and wildfires, have led to annual delinquency increases across several states, including Florida (+44 bps), South Carolina (+17 bps), Georgia (+14 bps) and California (+10 bps).
Photo: Agê Barros
