Texas Foreclosure Activity Down in 2011

Foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — were reported on 89,675 Texas properties in 2011, down 25 percent from a year ago and 10 percent below the level reported in 2009, according to the latest RealtyTrac® U.S. Foreclosure Market Report.

The state posted the 25th highest foreclosure rate in the nation, with one in every 108 Texas housing units receiving a foreclosure filing in 2011.

Foreclosure filings were reported on 8,586 Texas properties in December, a 15 percent decrease from November and down 23 percent from December 2010. One in every 1,133 Texas housing units received a foreclosure filing in December, the 25th highest state foreclosure rate in the nation.

2012 Forecast - Austin Area Continues to Stabilize

Data released by Clear Capital Monday shows year-over-year, national home prices were down 2.1 percent in 2011. The company says movement in home prices began to stabilize somewhat during the latter half of the year and REO sales as a percentage of total home sales began to decline, which helped to moderate depreciation for the year overall.

Clear Capital expects 2012 to play out much like the last half of 2011, with only a very subtle price change at the national level. A minimal decline in the beginning of the year is expected to turn into a meager gain by year’s end, the company explained.

For the Austin market, year-to-date from 2010 to 2011, is stronger. Closed home sales are up 5.2 percent, Pending sales are up 8.6 percent, and inventory of homes available is down 12.6 percent, which means fewer homes and more buyers.

These numbers are possible indicators that the real estate market here in Austin is improving. With the low inventory of homes currently on the market, compare it to the number of new jobs being created, apartment rentals at capacity, then the market should continue to see improvements for next year.