LA Times: Foreclosures expected to rise, pushing home prices lower

Foreclosures expected to rise, pushing home prices lower
Banks are getting more aggressive with the 3.5 million U.S. homes with seriously delinquent mortgages, setting the stage for a big wave of foreclosure action this year.

By E. Scott Reckard, Los Angeles Times
January 12, 2012


California and other states are likely to see an enormous wave of long-delayed foreclosure action in the coming year as banks deal more aggressively with 3.5 million seriously delinquent mortgages.

And experts said that dealing with the foreclosure process, from issuing notices of default to selling repossessed homes, is likely to push housing prices lower this year before the real estate market has a chance to recover.

A report from RealtyTrac, an Irvine data firm, said about 1.9 million U.S. homes were hit with default notices, foreclosures and other actions last year. That is down from 2.9 million in 2010. Seriously delinquent loans are defined as being four months in arrears.

"There were strong signs in the second half of 2011 that lenders are finally beginning to push through some of the delayed foreclosures in select local markets," said Brandon Moore, chief executive of RealtyTrac. "We expect that trend to continue this year." ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-foreclosures-20120112,0,7066381.story