NTIC: Chicago Foreclosures Nearly Double

A study by the National Training and Information Centers shows that subprime mortgage defaults nearly doubled in Chicago during the first half of this year compared with the levels recorded in the same period of last year.The Chicago-based organization, which serves as a resource center for community organizations, reported that subprime defaults (loans 90 days or more past due or in foreclosure) jumped to 3,005 in first half of this year from 1,541 last year. "If these families ultimately lose their homes…'for sale' properties will flood the market," the NTIC study says. Defaults on prime loans totaled 2,429 in the first half, up 16% from last year's level. The NTIC study also shows that defaults on "young" subprime loans seasoned less than 24 months doubled to 2,538. Defaults on young loans are "often caused by fraud or abusive lending practices at origination," the study says.