Foreclosure Deed Filings Dip in Massachusetts

After consistently climbing by large percentages, the number of foreclosure deeds filed in Massachusetts fell 2% in August from the level recorded a year earlier, according to The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman. There were 998 foreclosure deeds recorded in August, down from 1,018 in August 2007, the company reported. However, year-to-date foreclosure activity has surged in Massachusetts. A total of 8,804 foreclosure deeds (the final step in the foreclosure process) were filed in the first eight months of the year, up 79% from 4,920 in the same period of 2007. Foreclosure petitions (the first step in the process) have risen in the past two months after a temporary lull that started in May due to state legislation requiring lenders to give homeowners 90 days to cure mortgage defaults. A total of 943 foreclosure petitions were filed in August, an 87.8% jump from 502 in July but 69.7% lower than the 3,112 filed in August 2007. The company can be found online at http://www.thewarrengroup.com.