Statewide foreclosures dropped 23 percent during the first half of this year compared to 2010 but California still led the nation for the number of new filings, according to RealtyTrac. The numbers continue to be staggering as more Homeowners lose their homes.

In a report that was released today, the Irvine based real estate analysis firm said that 263,500 California properties received a foreclosure notice during the first 6 months of this year.

California’s total was more than double that of Florida, the country’s second largest foreclosure state with 113,641 new filings.

“It would be nice to report that foreclosure activity is dropping”, said James Saccacio, RealtyTrak’s chief executive. “Unfortunately, with unemployment rates inching back up, consumer confidence week, and home sales and prices continuing to languish, this does not appear to be the case”.

According to RaelyTrac, one out of every 51 housing units in California received a foreclosure notice during the first six months this year, the 3^rd largest rate in the country.

Nationally, nearly 1.2 million homes were subject to a foreclosure filing during the first half of this year, which is actually a 29% drop over last year. However the rate still continues to be very high.

Reprinted from article from Rick Daysog, Sacramento Bee, 7/14/11