Foreclosures up 53 percent

Foreclosures jumped 53 percent in June from a year earlier, a report published by a California research firm revealed on Thursday.

RealtyTrac, which claims to have the largest database of foreclosures in the country said there were more than 252,000 properties reported in foreclosure across the U.S last month, up from 166,000 foreclosures over the same time last year.

"June was the second straight month with more than a quarter-million properties nationwide receiving foreclosure filings," said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac.

The figure however doesn't tell the whole story with filings down 3 percent from May. According to Rick Sharga, a spokesman for RealtyTrac, the decline could be largely attributed to the action of states, including Maryland and Massachusetts that have suspended foreclosures.

Foreclosure filings increased from a year earlier in all but 11 states with Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Nevada with the highest foreclosure rates.

More Top Stories »

Bankruptcy Reform Back on the Table

One of the earliest ideas for helping homeowners facing mounting mortgage debt and potential foreclosure on their home was to reform bankruptcy laws. The concept is now officially back on the table, introduced into the Congressional lame-duck session by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL).

TARP is Closed for Relief Until Further Notice

Remember what a crisis the $700 billion mortgage market bailout was--the very existence of the American financial order hung in the balance.

Fixing the Housing Market, Lots of Ideas...Any Answers?

Almost a year into the dawning of the housing crisis (many chronologist are setting that around the January 2008 crumbling of Countrywide) ideas continue to flow, but few seem to be the answer. In fact, this seems to be the growing consensus--there is no silver bullet.

G-20 Lots of Motion, Will There Be Action?

The 20 most powerful industrial nations, and now the caretakers of an unprecedented global financial crisis, assembled in Washington DC over the weekend. Their mandate was broad and daunting--stabilize world markets.

FDIC Challenges Treasury with New Loan Modification Proposal

On the heels of the Treasury and Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA) loan modification plan for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the FDIC releases their own proposal. In this unprecedented, unilateral, and aggressive move by a Federal agency the FDIC is essential fighting a very public political battle directly with the Treasury and the current Administration.

Mortgage Rates Drop for Second Straight Week

Another week of dismal economic data have again pushed down mortgage rates. Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.14 percent, down from 6.20 percent last week. This demonstrates a steep decline from 6.46 percent two weeks prior.

Compare Rates

National Rates

Loan Type Today
30 Year Fixed   5.63
15 Year Fixed   5.47
5/1 Adjustable   5.85

Get Your Rates »

Rates may contain points

Browse Mortgage Rates

Featured Guides

Browse our comprehensive guides to popular topics related to mortgage and personal finance.

100+ Calculators