[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fbwk2pqjjqsc7":3,"$f17i0n1y82f1we":124},[4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48,52,56,60,64,68,72,76,80,84,88,92,96,100,104,108,112,116,120],{"id":5,"name":6,"slug":7},1,"Uncategorized","uncategorized",{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},5,"For Buyers","buyers",{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},6,"For Sellers","sellers",{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},7,"Foreclosures","foreclosures",{"id":21,"name":22,"slug":23},8,"Infographics","infographics",{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},9,"Home Prices","home-prices",{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},11,"First-Time Buyers","first-time-buyers",{"id":33,"name":34,"slug":35},34,"Senior Market","senior-market",{"id":37,"name":38,"slug":39},35,"Mortgage Rates","mortgage-rates",{"id":41,"name":42,"slug":43},38,"Move-Up","move-up",{"id":45,"name":46,"slug":47},41,"For Sale by Owner","for-sale-by-owner",{"id":49,"name":50,"slug":51},42,"Featured","featured",{"id":53,"name":54,"slug":55},45,"New Construction","new-construction",{"id":57,"name":58,"slug":59},52,"Luxury \u002F Vacation","luxury--vacation",{"id":61,"name":62,"slug":63},53,"Rent vs. Buy","rent-vs-buy",{"id":65,"name":66,"slug":67},80,"Time-sensitive","time-sensitive",{"id":69,"name":70,"slug":71},81,"Outdated","outdated",{"id":73,"name":74,"slug":75},147,"Internal","internal",{"id":77,"name":78,"slug":79},148,"Do Not Autopost","do-not-autopost",{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},320,"Inventory","inventory",{"id":85,"name":86,"slug":87},321,"Agent Value","agent-value",{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},322,"Affordability","affordability",{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},323,"Buying Tips","buying-tips",{"id":97,"name":98,"slug":99},324,"Downsize","downsize",{"id":101,"name":102,"slug":103},325,"Economy","economy",{"id":105,"name":106,"slug":107},326,"Equity","equity",{"id":109,"name":110,"slug":111},327,"Forecasts","forecasts",{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},328,"Selling Tips","selling-tips",{"id":117,"name":118,"slug":119},339,"Expired\u002FWithdrawn\u002FCanceled","expiredwithdrawncanceled",{"id":121,"name":122,"slug":123},340,"Price It Right\u002FOverpricing","price-it-rightoverpricing",{"items":125,"totalCount":284,"hasMore":285},[126,147,164,179,194,210,225,239,255,270],{"id":127,"slug":128,"title":129,"description":130,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":133,"bannerImage":131,"body":134,"agentsBottomLine":135,"bodyImage":136,"isInfographic":137,"categories":138,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":145,"updatedAt":146},109374,"the-housing-market-is-stronger-than-you-think","The Housing Market Is Stronger Than You Think","\u003Cp>You've probably heard plenty of doom and gloom about the housing market lately.\u003C\u002Fp>","","blog","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260630\u002FHeader-Image-Spring-2021-Buyer-Guide-3--original.png","\u003Cp>You've probably heard plenty of doom and gloom about the housing market lately. High rates. Stretched budgets. Headlines that make buying or selling sound like a terrible idea. But the data tells a very different story. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This isn't 2020 or 2021. It was never going to be. Those were the \"unicorn years\" – historic low mortgage rates, bidding wars on everything, homes flying off the market in days. That kind of market was a once-in-a-generation anomaly, not a baseline. So, when people compare today to that, of course it looks rough.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But compared to almost any other housing market in modern history? This one is holding up remarkably well.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Homeowners Are Sitting on a Mountain of Equity\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>One of the biggest reasons this market hasn't cracked is the financial strength of the American homeowner. According to \u003Cem>Federal Reserve\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffred.stlouisfed.org\u002Ftags\u002Fseries?t=real+estate\">data\u003C\u002Fa>, homeowner equity and mortgage debt were nearly identical in 2008. That means, if someone hit a rough patch, they had almost nothing to fall back on. That’s what made that crash so bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Today? Total homeowner equity across the country sits at $35 trillion – dwarfing total mortgage debt (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260630\u002F20260701-Why-2026-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a market\">That gap means most homeowners aren’t stretched thin or one bad month away from trouble. They own a meaningful chunk of their home and that gives them options. If they needed to sell, many could because they have a cushion. And that cushion grows over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fnews\u002Ftrends\u002Fhome-equity-millionaires-housing-market\u002F\">found\u003C\u002Fa> that homeowners who've been in their home just 5 years have built up around $180,000 in equity on average. Stick around 6-10 years, and that jumps to over $340,000.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Data from \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fhome-sales-prices\u002Fq1-2026-home-equity-and-underwater-report\u002F\">\u003Cem>ATTOM\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa> and the \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdata.census.gov\u002Ftable\u002FACSDT1Y2022.B25027?q=mortgage\">\u003Cem>Census\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa> shows two-thirds of homeowners either own their home outright or have more than 50% equity.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>That's not a fragile market. That’s a population of homeowners who are financially positioned to sell, to stay, or to make their next move from a place of strength rather than pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Low Rates and Low Foreclosures\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>At the same time, \u003Cem>Federal Housing Finance Agency\u003C\u002Fem> (FHFA) \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fhfa.gov\u002Fdata\u002Fnmdb\">data\u003C\u002Fa> shows more than half of all active mortgages still carry a rate below 4% (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>): \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260630\u002F20260701-The-Lock-In-Effect-original.png\" alt=\"a chart with text on it\">That's a big reason inventory stays tight. Those homeowners aren't in a rush to trade their rate for a higher one. They’re sitting comfortably in a strong financial position, not scrambling.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That comfort shows up in the \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F13\u002Fwhat-the-foreclosure-headlines-arent-telling-you\u002F\">foreclosure\u003C\u002Fa> numbers, too. Despite a slight recent uptick, foreclosure volumes remain dramatically below historical norms, \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002Fmay-2026-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\">according\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Cem>ATTOM\u003C\u002Fem>. Homeowners aren't losing their homes in droves. They have equity, they have breathing room, and most have options that keep them out of financial distress.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Prices Are Stabilizing, Not Crashing\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Here’s another point on the resilience of the market. \u003Cem>Redfin\u003C\u002Fem> research shows home \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F17\u002Fthink-home-prices-will-crash-heres-what-the-experts-actually-expect\u002F\">prices\u003C\u002Fa> are still rising, but the pace has slowed, now closer to 2% year-over-year nationally (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260630\u002F20260701-A-Resilient-Market-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a line graph\">That slowdown is good news, as Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at \u003Cem>Redfin\u003C\u002Fem>, explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“We’re in the middle of a long-term housing market correction, \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>not a housing market crash.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem> After the pandemic-era frenzy sent prices soaring and inventory to historic lows, \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>the market needed a reset.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>","\u003Cp>This market isn't broken, and waiting for a crash that isn't coming has a cost. Every month spent on the sidelines is a month someone else is building equity, locking in a price, or getting ahead of what most experts expect to be a housing surge once broader economic conditions settle.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Whether you're thinking about buying or selling, a local real estate agent can help you figure out what this market means for your specific situation and what your next move could look like.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260630\u002F20260701-Why-2026-original.png",false,[139,140,141,142,143,144],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},{"id":37,"name":38,"slug":39},{"id":105,"name":106,"slug":107},"2026-07-01T10:30:00Z","2026-06-30T16:52:07Z",{"id":148,"slug":149,"title":150,"description":151,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":152,"bannerImage":153,"body":154,"agentsBottomLine":155,"bodyImage":156,"isInfographic":137,"categories":157,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":162,"updatedAt":163},107757,"what-the-foreclosure-headlines-arent-telling-you","What the Foreclosure Headlines Aren’t Telling You","\u003Cp>You've probably seen the headlines saying, \"foreclosures are on the rise,” and maybe your mind jumped straight to 2008.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260512\u002FHeader-Image-20221221-Blog-original.png","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260527\u002FSTM-Banner-20221221-Blog-original.jpg","\u003Cp>You've probably seen the headlines saying, \"\u003Cem>foreclosures are on the rise\u003C\u002Fem>,” and maybe your mind jumped straight to 2008. That’s understandable. A lot of people remember that \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F23\u002F3-things-that-are-not-going-to-happen-in-todays-housing-market\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">crash\u003C\u002Fa> and all the foreclosures that happened during that window, and they’re hoping something like that never happens again. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But this isn’t a repeat of what happened back then. Here’s the context to prove it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Foreclosures Are Rising, But They’re Still Historically Low\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Yes, foreclosure filings are up \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002Fq1-and-march-2026-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">26%\u003C\u002Fa> from a year ago, according to \u003Cem>ATTOM\u003C\u002Fem>. And they’ve been rising for 5 straight quarters. That's a real trend worth paying attention to. \u003Cstrong>But the full picture isn’t scary like the headlines suggest.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The reality is the increase we’re seeing is a sign of the market normalizing.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here's an important thing to know about this chart. The extremely low numbers you see in 2020 and 2021 don't represent what's \"\u003Cem>normal\u003C\u002Fem>.\" That's when the government put a moratorium on foreclosures to help homeowners get through the pandemic. Those years were an exception, not the baseline.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Instead, compare where we are today to 2017, 2018, and 2019 – the last years the market was running normally. Today's numbers are \u003Cstrong>still lower\u003C\u002Fstrong>. So, we're not even back to what's typical, yet. That means this can’t be a crash. (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260512\u002F20260513-Foreclosures-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260512\u002F20260513-Foreclosures-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a crash level\">\u003C\u002Fa>While today's numbers are getting closer to pre-pandemic levels, they're still below historical norms. And just look at what was happening around 2008. Even with the recent increase, we're nowhere near those levels. This is a market returning to normal, not heading toward a crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why Today’s Equity Picture Changes Everything\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Most of those filings won't even end in a completed foreclosure. That's because today's homeowners have something most people in 2008 simply didn't have. And that’s \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F02\u002F12\u002Ffour-ways-your-home-equity-can-work-for-you\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">equity\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The average homeowner today is sitting on roughly \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cotality.com\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fhome-equity-decreases-nationally-to-end-2025\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>$295,000\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> in home equity right now, according to \u003Cem>Cotality\u003C\u002Fem>.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Back in 2008, many people owed more than their homes were worth. Selling wasn't an option. And foreclosure was often the only door available.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Today, that's not the case. If you have enough equity to cover what you owe and the cost of selling, you could sell your home, pay off your debt, protect your credit, and potentially walk away with money in your pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That's a completely different situation than what homeowners faced during the last crash, and it's a big reason we're unlikely to see foreclosures spiral the way they did back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Check out the graph below. It shows foreclosure \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002Fq1-and-march-2026-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">data\u003C\u002Fa> from \u003Cem>ATTOM\u003C\u002Fem> going back to 2005. Here's how to read it:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>The yellow line tracks all foreclosure filings.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>The orange line tracks foreclosure starts, meaning the process has officially begun.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>And the red line at the bottom tracks completed foreclosures (the ones where a homeowner actually lost their home).\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260512\u002F20260513-Not-All-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260512\u002F20260513-Not-All-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a graph showing the fall of foreclosure\">\u003C\u002Fa>See how the red line stays well below the other two? That gap tells the real story. A lot of homeowners who enter the foreclosure process never end up losing their home because they find another way forward first.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Today’s equity is a big reason for that. So, even the filings we are seeing now won’t all end in foreclosure.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>If You’re Struggling, You Have More Options Than You Think\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Maybe you're behind on payments. Maybe you're stressed about what comes next. That's an incredibly hard place to be, but it's important to know that missing a payment or two doesn't automatically mean you'll lose your home.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Banks would much rather work with you than foreclose. It's a complicated, costly process for them, too. They're often willing to set up a repayment plan, offer forbearance (a temporary pause or reduction in your payments), or modify your loan to make things more manageable long-term.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Just know the sooner you reach out to your lender, the more options you'll have. In some states (ones that don't require the foreclosure process to go through a court) things can move faster than people expect. Getting ahead of it early gives you and your lender the most room to find a solution. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And if selling makes more sense for your situation, a real estate agent can help you understand what your home is worth and whether that's a path worth exploring.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Foreclosure filings may be rising, but they're still low. \u003C\u002Fstrong>And the equity most homeowners are sitting on today is a key reason this looks nothing like 2008.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260512\u002F20260513-Foreclosures-original.png",[158,159,160,161],{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},{"id":49,"name":50,"slug":51},{"id":105,"name":106,"slug":107},"2026-05-13T10:30:00Z","2026-05-13T10:30:07Z",{"id":165,"slug":166,"title":167,"description":168,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":169,"bannerImage":131,"body":170,"agentsBottomLine":171,"bodyImage":172,"isInfographic":137,"categories":173,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":177,"updatedAt":178},104690,"one-key-sign-were-not-headed-for-a-wave-of-foreclosures","One Key Sign We’re Not Headed for a Wave of Foreclosures","\u003Cp>Foreclosures are ticking up. And that may make your mind jump straight to thoughts of 2008 – specifically to what happened to the market during the housing crash.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260304\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-1192429034-original.png","\u003Cp>Foreclosures are ticking up. And that may make your mind jump straight to thoughts of 2008 – specifically to what happened to the market during the housing crash. So, let’s do exactly what your brain already wants to do, and see if there’s any connection there.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The simple truth is \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F01\u002F21\u002Fwhy-rising-foreclosure-headlines-arent-a-red-flag-for-todays-housing-market\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>foreclosure filings\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> \u003Cem>are \u003C\u002Fem>rising. But they’re \u003Cem>nowhere near \u003C\u002Fem>crisis levels. And that’s not where they’re headed either. Here’s why.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Take a look at \u003Cstrong>serious delinquencies\u003C\u002Fstrong> – loans where the homeowner is more than 90 days late on their mortgage payments.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>While those have increased slightly, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newyorkfed.org\u002Fmicroeconomics\u002Fhhdc\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">data\u003C\u002Fa> from the\u003Cem> New York Fed \u003C\u002Fem>shows they still remain low. And they aren’t anywhere close to levels seen when the market crashed \u003Cem>(see graph below)\u003C\u002Fem>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260304\u002F20260309-Mortgage-Delinquency-Rates-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260304\u002F20260309-Mortgage-Delinquency-Rates-original.png\" alt=\"a graph with numbers and a line\">\u003C\u002Fa>Right now, about \u003Cstrong>1%\u003C\u002Fstrong> of mortgages are seriously delinquent.\u003Cstrong> That’s only 1 in 100.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In the years around the crash, they were up around \u003Cstrong>9%\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003Cstrong> That’s 1 in 11.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s a big difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And it’s important to remember not all delinquencies even become foreclosure filings. Some homeowners who are falling behind will work out repayment plans with their banks and lenders because banks don’t want to see a wave of foreclosures either.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s why foreclosure numbers are even lower than delinquencies. \u003Cstrong>ATTOM \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002F2025-year-end-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>shows\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> only 0.3% of all homes are currently going through a foreclosure filing.\u003C\u002Fstrong> And those won’t even all go to a full foreclosure. That’s not a wave. That’s a ripple at most.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>If People Are Falling Behind on Payments, Why Aren’t There Even More Foreclosures?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>And maybe you’re wondering, if people are struggling financially, why aren’t there more foreclosures? Here’s the easiest way to answer that.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When households feel financial pressure, they tend to prioritize their mortgage payment above almost everything else. Because the last thing they want to lose is their home.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newyorkfed.org\u002Fmicroeconomics\u002Fhhdc\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Data\u003C\u002Fa> from the \u003Cem>New York Fed \u003C\u002Fem>shows serious delinquencies have risen more for credit cards and auto loans (\u003Cem>the blue and green lines\u003C\u002Fem>). But mortgage delinquencies and home equity lines of credit (borrowing against the value of your home) aren’t seeing the same big uptick (\u003Cem>the yellow and orange lines\u003C\u002Fem>). They’re a lot more stable overall.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260304\u002F20260309-Despite-Rising-Delinquency-Elsewhere-original.png\">In other words, people may fall behind on other debts, but they fight hard to keep their homes. And, in today’s housing market, they’re also in a strong equity position to do so.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Home Equity Changes Everything\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Many people have built significant \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F02\u002F12\u002Ffour-ways-your-home-equity-can-work-for-you\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">equity\u003C\u002Fa> over the past several years. And that creates options. As Daren Blomquist, VP of Market Economics at \u003Cem>Auction.com\u003C\u002Fem>, explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“Distressed homeowners… many times they still have equity in their homes. There’s an opportunity for them to sell that home, avoid foreclosure, and walk away with equity.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>That’s a major difference from 2008. Back then, many homeowners owed more than their homes were worth. And selling wasn’t an easy solution. Today, for many people, it is. And even in situations where equity isn’t enough, homeowners are encouraged to contact their loan servicer early to explore alternatives to foreclosure.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Are foreclosure filings rising slightly? Yes. Are they anywhere near crash territory? No. And homeowners today have far more equity and flexibility than they did during the crash.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you’re concerned about what you’re seeing in the headlines, the best move isn’t \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>panic\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>, it’s \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>perspective\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>. And the data right now says this isn’t 2008 all over again.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260304\u002F20260309-Mortgage-Delinquency-Rates-original.png",[174,175,176],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},"2026-03-12T10:30:00Z","2026-03-12T10:30:02Z",{"id":180,"slug":181,"title":182,"description":183,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":184,"bannerImage":131,"body":185,"agentsBottomLine":186,"bodyImage":187,"isInfographic":137,"categories":188,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":192,"updatedAt":193},101575,"why-rising-foreclosure-headlines-arent-a-red-flag-for-todays-housing-market","Why Rising Foreclosure Headlines Aren’t a Red Flag for Today’s Housing Market","\u003Cp>If you’ve seen headlines saying foreclosure activity has been climbing for 10 straight months, it’s easy to assume that's a sign of trouble for the housing market.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260115\u002F20260121-Blog-Header-Image-original.png","\u003Cp>If you’ve seen headlines saying foreclosure activity has been climbing for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002F2025-year-end-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">10 straight months\u003C\u002Fa>, it’s easy to assume that's a sign of trouble for the housing market. But when you look at the full picture, a few simple truths become clear:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Today’s foreclosure numbers are in line with what’s considered normal\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>High home equity is keeping most homeowners in a strong financial position\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>None of the data points to a big wave of distressed sales that’ll crash the market\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Foreclosure Filings Are Up 32%, But That Doesn’t Mean the Market’s in Trouble\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>If you peel the layers all the way back, what everyone is actually worried about is that we’re headed for a repeat of what happened in 2008. Back then, riskier lending practices and an oversupply of homes for sale brought home prices down and led to a significant increase in foreclosures. A lot of people felt the impact. But this isn’t the same situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Yes, ATTOM data \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002F2025-year-end-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">shows\u003C\u002Fa> foreclosure filings are up 32% year-over-year. And that increase is going to sound dramatic. But context matters, and it doesn’t mean we’re headed for another crash. And the numbers prove it. Take a look at where we were during the last crash (\u003Cem>the red in the graph below\u003C\u002Fem>). And where we are now (\u003Cem>the blue\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260115\u002F20260121-The-Foreclosure-Situation-Is-Different-Now-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260115\u002F20260121-The-Foreclosure-Situation-Is-Different-Now-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a graph showing the number of years\">\u003C\u002Fa>Even with the uptick lately, we are still nowhere near crash levels – far from it. \u003Cstrong>This isn’t a return to crisis levels. What it is, is a return to normal.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The graph below shows foreclosure filings going all the way back to early 2005. The lead up to, and the aftermath of, the crash is there in red. Those are the years when foreclosure filings went above the 1 million mark each year.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Now, look at the right side and scan back to the 2017–2019 range (the last truly normal years for housing). You’ll see we’re actually just starting to fall back in line with what’s typical for the market, even with the increase lately:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260115\u002F20260121-Foreclosure-Activity-Is-Still-Low-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260115\u002F20260121-Foreclosure-Activity-Is-Still-Low-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a number of people\">\u003C\u002Fa>Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002F2025-year-end-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">explains\u003C\u002Fa> it well:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Foreclosure activity increased in 2025, reflecting a continued normalization of the housing market following several years of historically low levels \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>. . . While filings, starts, and repossessions all rose compared to 2024, \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>foreclosure activity remains well below pre-pandemic norms and a fraction of what we saw during the last housing crisis \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>. . . today’s uptick is being driven more by market recalibration than widespread homeowner distress, with strong equity positions and more disciplined lending continuing to limit risk.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>The word “normalization” in that quote is extra important. While economic and financial pressures are putting a strain on some homeowners, this isn’t a flood of distressed homes. No matter what the headlines may have you believe, this isn’t a large-scale crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Today’s increase isn’t a sign of trouble. It’s a return to normal.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why This Isn't a Repeat of 2008\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Even though the last housing crash still shapes how a lot of people interpret today’s news, the reality is, this is a different market:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Lending standards are stronger\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Borrowers are more qualified\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>And homeowners have far more equity\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>And that \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F11\u002Fyour-equity-could-change-everything-about-your-next-move\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">equity\u003C\u002Fa> piece is especially important. Over the last five years, home prices have risen significantly. For many people, their house is worth far more than they paid for it. That means most homeowners have a strong financial cushion to fall back on, if needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Basically, if someone faces hardship today, they often have the option to sell, and maybe even walk away with money in their pocket, instead of going through foreclosure. That’s a major contrast to 2008, when many homeowners owed more than their home was worth. \u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Foreclosure activity may be rising, but it’s still well within a normal range – and nowhere close to the danger zones of the past. \u003C\u002Fstrong>But the headlines are doing more to terrify than clarify. And that’s exactly why having a trusted real estate expert you can call on is so important.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When you hear something in the news or see something on social about housing that worries you, please reach out so you have the context to understand what’s really happening and how it impacts you (if at all). \u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260115\u002F20260121-The-Foreclosure-Situation-Is-Different-Now-original.png",[189,190,191],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},"2026-01-21T11:30:00Z","2026-01-21T11:30:06Z",{"id":195,"slug":196,"title":197,"description":198,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":199,"bannerImage":131,"body":200,"agentsBottomLine":201,"bodyImage":202,"isInfographic":137,"categories":203,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":208,"updatedAt":209},94193,"what-mortgage-delinquencies-tell-us-about-the-future-of-foreclosures","What Mortgage Delinquencies Tell Us About the Future of Foreclosures","\u003Cp>You may be seeing headlines about how foreclosures are rising. And if that makes you nervous we’re headed for another crash, here’s what you should know.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250902\u002F20250903-Blog-Header-Image-original.png","\u003Cp>You may be seeing headlines about how foreclosures are rising. And if that makes you nervous that we’re headed for another crash, here’s what you should know. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>According to \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002Fmid-year-2025-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>ATTOM\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong>, during the housing crash, over nine million people went through some sort of distressed sale (2007-2011). Last year, there were just over 300,000.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>So, even with the increase lately, we’re talking about numbers that are dramatically lower. But what does the future hold? Is a wave coming? The short answer is, no.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here’s why. Experts in the industry look at mortgage delinquencies (loans that are more than 30 days past due) as an early sign for \u003Cem>potential\u003C\u002Fem> foreclosures down the line. And the latest data for delinquencies is reassuring about the market overall.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Right now, delinquencies as a whole are consistent with where we ended last year, which means we’re not seeing the kind of increase that would signal widespread trouble.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But there are some key indicators to continue to watch. Marina Walsh, Vice President of Industry Analysis at the \u003Cem>Mortgage Bankers Association, \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mba.org\u002Fnews-and-research\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fnews\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F14\u002Fmortgage-delinquencies-decrease-slightly-in-the-second-quarter-of-2025\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">explains\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“While overall mortgage delinquencies are relatively flat compared to last year, the composition has changed.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Right now, borrowers with FHA mortgages currently make up the \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flibertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org\u002F2025\u002F08\u002Fa-check-in-on-the-mortgage-market\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>biggest share\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> of new delinquencies\u003C\u002Fstrong> (see graph below):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250902\u002F20250903-Quarterly-New-Delinquencies-Have-Risen-Among-FHA-Mortgages-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250902\u002F20250903-Quarterly-New-Delinquencies-Have-Risen-Among-FHA-Mortgages-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a number of people\">\u003C\u002Fa>And here’s why that may be happening. Borrowers with FHA mortgages may be more sensitive to shifts in the economy. And with recession fears, stubborn inflation, employment challenges, and more, it makes sense this segment of the market may be feeling it a bit more. But that doesn’t mean it’s a signal a crash is coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you look back at the graph, it shows, while there are more FHA loans experiencing hardship than the norm, delinquency rates for other loan types remain low and stable. Back during the crash, delinquency rates were significantly elevated for all 4 categories.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>That means the broader mortgage market is on much stronger footing than it was back in 2008. \u003C\u002Fstrong>As \u003Cem>ResiClub\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.resiclubanalytics.com\u002Fp\u002Fforeclosures-remain-low-but-fha-loans-in-the-southeast-are-flashing-yellow-1b80\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">says\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“The recent uptick in mortgage delinquency seems to be concentrated among FHA borrowers, however, mortgage performance remains very solid when viewed in light of the twenty-year history of our data.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>The Region with the Most FHA Loans\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Here’s another reason this isn’t a signal of trouble ahead. FHA loans only make up about \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flibertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org\u002F2025\u002F08\u002Fa-check-in-on-the-mortgage-market\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">12%\u003C\u002Fa> of all home loans nationwide. But like anything else in housing, local data matters. There are some regions of the country where there are more of this type of loan than others, particularly the South.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The map below does \u003Cstrong>not \u003C\u002Fstrong>show how many FHA loans are delinquent. It just shows the overall concentration of FHA loans by state, so you can see which regions have the greatest volume (\u003Cem>see map below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250902\u002F20250903-FHA-Mortgages-Are-More-Concentrated-In-the-South-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250902\u002F20250903-FHA-Mortgages-Are-More-Concentrated-In-the-South-original.png\" alt=\"a map of the united states\">\u003C\u002Fa>As the \u003Cem>Federal Reserve Bank of New York\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flibertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org\u002F2025\u002F08\u002Fa-check-in-on-the-mortgage-market\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">explains\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“Looking at geographic concentrations of loans, recent data indicate that a higher proportion of mortgage balances are delinquent in many of the southern states . . . we see that higher delinquency rates coincide with a higher share of FHA loans across states.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>Just remember, even the delinquencies rates we’re seeing now aren’t as high as they were in 2008. Again, this is not a signal of a crisis. But it is something experts will monitor in the months ahead. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>If You’re Experiencing Financial Hardship\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>No one wants to see anyone face the challenges of foreclosure. But just know that, if you’re a homeowner struggling with payments, you’re not alone – and you do have options.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The first step is reaching out to your mortgage provider. In many cases, you may be able to set up a repayment plan or explore loan modifications to help you stay on track. And for many homeowners today, you may also have enough equity to sell your house and avoid foreclosure. Odds are, at least some of these delinquencies will go that route since homeowners today have near record amounts of equity in their homes. It may be worth seeing if that could be an option for you too.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Foreclosures are rising slightly, but they’re nowhere near the levels of 2008. And delinquency trends don’t point to a crash ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This is something industry professionals are going to watch in the days ahead. If you want to stay up to date, let’s connect so you always have the latest information.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250902\u002F20250903-Quarterly-New-Delinquencies-Have-Risen-Among-FHA-Mortgages-original.png",[204,205,206,207],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},{"id":101,"name":102,"slug":103},"2025-09-03T10:30:00Z","2025-09-03T10:30:26Z",{"id":211,"slug":212,"title":213,"description":214,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":215,"bannerImage":131,"body":216,"agentsBottomLine":217,"bodyImage":218,"isInfographic":137,"categories":219,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":223,"updatedAt":224},91718,"the-us-foreclosure-map-you-need-to-see","The U.S. Foreclosure Map You Need To See","\u003Cp>Foreclosure headlines are making noise again – and they’re designed to stir up fear to get you to read them.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250721\u002F20250723-Blog-Header-Image-original.png","\u003Cp>Foreclosure headlines are making noise again – and they’re designed to stir up fear to get you to read them. But what the data shows is actually happening in the market tells a very different story than what you might be led to believe. So, before you jump to conclusions, it’s important to look at the full picture.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Yes, foreclosure starts are up \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002Fmid-year-2025-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">7%\u003C\u002Fa> in the first six months of the year. But zooming out shows that’s nowhere near crisis levels. Here’s why.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Filings Are Still Far Below Crash Levels\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Even with the recent uptick, overall foreclosure filings are still very low. In the first half of 2025, just \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002Fmid-year-2025-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>0.13%\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> of homes\u003C\u002Fstrong> had filed for foreclosure. That’s less than 1% of homes in this country. In fact, it’s even far less than that at under a quarter of a percent. That’s a very small fraction of all the homes out there. But like with anything else in real estate, the numbers vary by market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here’s the map you need to see that shows how foreclosure rates are lower than you might think, and how they differ by local area:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250721\u002F20250723-Home-Have-Filed-For-Foreclosure-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250721\u002F20250723-Home-Have-Filed-For-Foreclosure-original.png\" alt=\"a map of the united states\">\u003C\u002Fa>For context, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002Fmid-year-2025-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">data\u003C\u002Fa> from ATTOM shows in the \u003Cstrong>first half of 2025, 1 in every 758 homes nationwide\u003C\u002Fstrong> had a foreclosure filing. Thats the 0.13% you can see in the map above. But in 2010, back during the crash? \u003Cem>Mortgage News Daily \u003C\u002Fem>says it was \u003Cstrong>1 in every 45 homes.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Today’s Numbers Don’t Indicate a Market in Trouble \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>But here’s what everyone remembers…\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Leading up to the crash, risky lending practices left homeowners with payments they eventually couldn’t afford. That led to a situation where many homeowners were underwater on their mortgages. When they couldn’t make their payments, they had no choice but to walk away. Foreclosures surged, and the market ultimately crashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Today’s housing market is very different. Lending standards are stronger. Homeowners have near record levels of equity. And when someone hits financial trouble, that equity means many people can sell their home rather than face foreclosure. As Rick Sharga, Founder of \u003Cem>CJ Patrick Company\u003C\u002Fem>, explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“. . . a significant factor contributing to today’s comparatively low levels of foreclosure activity is that homeowners—including those in foreclosure—possess an unprecedented amount of home equity.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>No one wants to see a homeowner struggle. But if you’re a homeowner facing hardship, talk to your mortgage provider. You may have more options than you think.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Recent headlines may not tell the whole story, but the data does. Foreclosure activity remains low by historical standards and is not a sign of another crash.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you’re simply watching the market and want to understand what’s really going on, or how this impacts the value of your home, let’s connect. I’ll help you separate fact from fear by showing you what the data really says.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250721\u002F20250723-Home-Have-Filed-For-Foreclosure-original.png",[220,221,222],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},"2025-07-23T10:30:00Z","2025-07-23T10:30:13Z",{"id":226,"slug":227,"title":228,"description":229,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":230,"bannerImage":131,"body":231,"agentsBottomLine":232,"bodyImage":233,"isInfographic":137,"categories":234,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":237,"updatedAt":238},84421,"why-todays-foreclosure-numbers-arent-a-warning-sign","Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Aren’t a Warning Sign","\u003Cp>When it feels like the cost of just about everything is rising, it’s only natural to wonder what that means for the housing market.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250423\u002F20250429-Why-Today-s-Foreclosure-Numbers-Aren-t-a-Warning-Sign-original.png","\u003Cp>When it feels like the cost of just about everything is rising, it’s only natural to wonder what that means for the housing market. Some people are even questioning whether more homeowners will struggle to make their mortgage payments, ultimately leading to a wave of foreclosures. And recent data showing foreclosure filings have increased is only feeding into this fear. But don’t let that scare you.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>If you put the latest data into context, it’s clear there’s no reason to think this is a repeat of the last housing crash.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>This Isn’t Like 2008\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>While it’s true that foreclosure filings ticked up in the latest quarterly \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002Fq1-and-march-2025-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">report\u003C\u002Fa> from ATTOM, they’re still lower than the norm – and way below levels seen during the crash. And it’s a lot easier to see if you graph that out.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you compare Q1 2025 (\u003Cem>on the right side of the graph\u003C\u002Fem>) to what happened in the years surrounding the 2008 crash (\u003Cem>shown in red\u003C\u002Fem>), it’s clear the market is in a completely different place (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250423\u002F20250429-Foreclosure-Activity-Still-Below-Levels-Seen-in-the-Housing-Crash-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250423\u002F20250429-Foreclosure-Activity-Still-Below-Levels-Seen-in-the-Housing-Crash-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a graph of a number of falling down\">\u003C\u002Fa>Back then, risky lending practices left homeowners with mortgages they couldn’t afford. That led to a wave of foreclosures, which flooded the market with distressed properties, a surplus of inventory, and caused home prices to drop dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Today, lending standards are much stronger, and most homeowners are in a much better financial position. That’s why filings are so much lower this time.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And just in case you’re looking at 2020 and 2021 and thinking we’ve ramped up since then, here’s what you need to know. During those years, there was a moratorium designed to help millions of homeowners avoid foreclosure in challenging times. That’s why the numbers for just a few years ago were so incredibly low.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>So don’t compare today to that low point. If you look at more normal years like 2017-2019, overall foreclosure filings are actually down from what’s typical – and way down from the volume during the crash.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Of course, no one wants to go through the process of foreclosure. And the recent increase is emotional because it’s real lives that are impacted – let's not discount that. It’s just that, as a whole, this isn’t a signal of trouble in the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why We Haven’t Seen a Big Surge in Foreclosures\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>And here's something else to reassure you: homeowner equity. Over the past few years, home prices have risen significantly. That means today’s homeowners have built up a solid financial cushion. As Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fforeclosures\u002Fq1-and-march-2025-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">explains\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“While levels remain below historical averages, the quarterly growth suggests that some homeowners may be starting to feel the pressure of ongoing economic challenges. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>However, strong home equity positions in many markets continue to help buffer against a more significant spike . . .”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>Basically, if someone falls on hard times and can’t make their mortgage payments, they may be able to sell their home instead of going into foreclosure. That’s a huge contrast to 2008, when many people owed more than their homes were worth and had no choice but to walk away.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Don’t discount the strong equity footing most homeowners have today. As Rick Sharga Founder and CEO of \u003Cem>CJ Patrick Company\u003C\u002Fem>, explains in a recent \u003Cem>Forbes \u003C\u002Fem>article:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“ . . . a significant factor contributing to today’s comparatively low levels of foreclosure activity is that homeowners—including those in foreclosure—possess an unprecedented amount of home equity.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>","\u003Cp>Even with the recent increase, foreclosure numbers are not at the levels seen during the 2008 crash. Plus, most homeowners today are in a much stronger equity position, even with rising costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you are a homeowner who’s facing hardship, talk to your mortgage provider to explore your options.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250423\u002F20250429-Foreclosure-Activity-Still-Below-Levels-Seen-in-the-Housing-Crash-original.png",[235,236],{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},{"id":101,"name":102,"slug":103},"2025-04-29T10:30:00Z","2025-04-29T10:30:33Z",{"id":240,"slug":241,"title":242,"description":243,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":244,"bannerImage":131,"body":245,"agentsBottomLine":246,"bodyImage":247,"isInfographic":137,"categories":248,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":253,"updatedAt":254},73710,"mortgage-forbearance-a-helpful-option-for-homeowners-facing-challenges","Mortgage Forbearance: A Helpful Option for Homeowners Facing Challenges","\u003Cp>Let’s face it – life can throw some curveballs.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250107\u002F20250108-Mortgage-Forbearance-A-Helpful-Option-for-Homeowners-Facing-Challenges-original.png","\u003Cp>Let’s face it – life can throw some curveballs. Whether it’s a job loss, unexpected bills, or a natural disaster, \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F12\u002F11\u002Fwhy-moving-to-a-more-affordable-area-makes-sense\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">financial struggles\u003C\u002Fa> can happen to anyone. But here’s the good news. If you’re a homeowner feeling the squeeze, there’s a lifeline that many people don’t realize is still available: mortgage forbearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What Is Mortgage Forbearance?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>As \u003Cem>Bankrate\u003C\u002Fem> explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“Mortgage forbearance is an option that allows borrowers to pause or lower their mortgage payments while dealing with a short-term crisis, such as a job loss, illness or other financial setback . . . \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>When you can’t afford to pay your mortgage, forbearance gives you a chance to sort out your finances and get back on track.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>A common misconception is that forbearance was only accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it did play a significant role in helping homeowners through that crisis, what many people don’t know is that forbearance is still a tool to support borrowers in times of need. Today, it remains a vital option to help homeowners in certain circumstances avoid delinquency and, ultimately, foreclosure.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>The Current State of Mortgage Forbearance\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Forbearance continues to serve as a valuable safety net for homeowners facing temporary financial challenges. While the overall rate of forbearance has seen a slight increase recently, it’s important to understand what’s driving this change and how it fits into the broader picture.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mba.org\u002Fnews-and-research\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fnews\u002F2024\u002F12\u002F23\u002Fshare-of-mortgage-loans-in-forbearance-increases-to-027-percent-in-july\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to Marina Walsh, VP of Industry Analysis at the \u003Cem>Mortgage Bankers Association \u003C\u002Fem>(MBA): \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“The overall mortgage forbearance rate increased three basis points in November \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>and has now risen for six consecutive months.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>This may seem concerning at first glance, but let’s break it down. The graph below, going all the way back to 2020, puts things into \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mba.org\u002Fnews-and-research\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fnews\u002F2024\u002F12\u002F23\u002Fshare-of-mortgage-loans-in-forbearance-increases-to-027-percent-in-july\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">perspective\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250107\u002F20250108-Share-of-Mortgages-in-Forbearance-Still-Very-Low-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250107\u002F20250108-Share-of-Mortgages-in-Forbearance-Still-Very-Low-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a graph of mortgages\">\u003C\u002Fa>While the share of mortgages in forbearance has significantly declined since its peak in mid-2020, there has been a slight but notable increase in recent months. This uptick is largely tied to the effects of two recent hurricanes — Helene and Milton. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Natural disasters like these often create temporary financial hardships for homeowners, making forbearance a crucial safety net during recovery. In fact, \u003Cstrong>46% of borrowers in forbearance today \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mba.org\u002Fnews-and-research\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fnews\u002F2024\u002F12\u002F23\u002Fshare-of-mortgage-loans-in-forbearance-increases-to-027-percent-in-july\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>cite\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> natural disasters as the reason for their financial struggles.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Even with the most recent uptick, the share of mortgages in forbearance is nowhere near pandemic levels, and, thankfully, reflects a very small portion of homeowners overall.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why Forbearance Matters\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Forbearance can help borrowers avoid the spiral of missed payments and foreclosure. It provides breathing room to address challenges and plan next steps. And while most homeowners today are not in a position to need forbearance, thanks to strong equity and foundations of the current housing market, it is an option for the few who do need it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you or a homeowner you know is facing financial difficulties, the first step is to contact your mortgage lender. They can walk you through the forbearance process and help you understand your options. Keep in mind that forbearance is not automatic — you need to apply and discuss the terms with your lender.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>In tough times, knowing your options can bring peace of mind. Forbearance isn’t just a financial tool — it’s a lifeline. And while the recent increase in forbearance rates might make headlines that give you pause, the truth is this option is working exactly as it should: helping those who need it most get through difficult moments without losing their homes.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20250107\u002F20250108-Share-of-Mortgages-in-Forbearance-Still-Very-Low-original.png",[249,250,251,252],{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},{"id":85,"name":86,"slug":87},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2025-01-08T11:30:00Z","2025-01-08T11:30:19Z",{"id":256,"slug":257,"title":258,"description":259,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":260,"bannerImage":131,"body":261,"agentsBottomLine":262,"bodyImage":263,"isInfographic":137,"categories":264,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":268,"updatedAt":269},69582,"why-todays-mortgage-debt-isnt-a-sign-of-a-housing-market-crash","Why Today’s Mortgage Debt Isn’t a Sign of a Housing Market Crash","\u003Cp>One major reason why we’re not heading toward a foreclosure crisis is the high level of equity homeowners have today.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20241119\u002F20241125-Why-Today-s-Mortgage-Debt-Isn-t-a-Sign-of-a-Housing-Market-Crash-original.png","\u003Cp>One major reason why we’re not heading toward a \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F24\u002Fwhy-todays-foreclosure-numbers-wont-trigger-a-crash\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">foreclosure crisis\u003C\u002Fa> is the high level of \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F18\u002Fwhy-buying-now-is-worth-it-infographic\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">equity\u003C\u002Fa> homeowners have today. Unlike in the last housing bubble, where many homeowners owed more than their homes were worth, today’s homeowners have far more equity than debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s a big part of the reason why even though mortgage debt is at an all-time high, this isn’t 2008 all over again. As Bill McBride, Housing Analyst for\u003Cem> Calculated Risk,\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnhc.org\u002Fupdate-the-housing-bubble-and-mortgage-debt-as-a-percent-of-gdp\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">explains\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“With the recent house price increases, some people are worried about a new housing bubble – \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>but mortgage debt isn’t a concern\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem> . . .”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>Today’s \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F11\u002F12\u002Fwhats-motivating-homeowners-to-move-right-now\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">homeowners\u003C\u002Fa> are in a much \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F11\u002F07\u002Frenting-vs-buying-the-net-worth-gap-you-need-to-see\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">stronger position\u003C\u002Fa> than ever before. So, let’s break it down and see why today’s mortgage debt isn’t anything to fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>More Equity, Less Risk of Foreclosures\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffred.stlouisfed.org\u002Ftags\u002Fseries?t=real+estate\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to the \u003Cem>St. Louis Fed\u003C\u002Fem>, total homeowner equity is nearly triple the total mortgage debt today (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20241119\u002F20241125-Homeowners-Have-Far-More-Equity-Than-Mortgage-Debt-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20241119\u002F20241125-Homeowners-Have-Far-More-Equity-Than-Mortgage-Debt-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a graph showing the rise and fall of mortgages\">\u003C\u002Fa>High equity makes it less likely for homeowners to face foreclosure because they have more options. If someone struggles to make their mortgage payments, they could potentially \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F28\u002Fwhy-your-house-will-shine-in-todays-market\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">sell their house\u003C\u002Fa> and still come out ahead thanks to their built-up equity.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Even if home values \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F11\u002F05\u002Fexpect-the-unexpected-anticipating-volatility-in-todays-housing-market\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">were to dip\u003C\u002Fa>, most homeowners would still have a comfortable cushion of equity. That’s a big contrast to the 2008 crisis, where many homeowners were underwater on their mortgages and had few options to avoid foreclosure.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Delinquency Rates Are Still Near Historic Lows\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Another reassuring sign is that, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newyorkfed.org\u002Fmedialibrary\u002FInteractives\u002Fhouseholdcredit\u002Fdata\u002Fpdf\u002FHHDC_2024Q3.pdf?sc_lang=en\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">according\u003C\u002Fa> to the \u003Cem>NY Fed,\u003C\u002Fem> the number of mortgage payments that are more than 90 days late is still near historic lows (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20241119\u002F20241125-Serious-Mortgage-Delinquincy-Rates-Remain-Low-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20241119\u002F20241125-Serious-Mortgage-Delinquincy-Rates-Remain-Low-original.png\" alt=\"a graph showing a line going down\">\u003C\u002Fa>This is partly due to a variety of programs designed to help homeowners through temporary hardships. As Marina Walsh, VP of Industry Analysis at the \u003Cem>Mortgage Bankers Association\u003C\u002Fem> (MBA), \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mba.org\u002Fnews-and-research\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fnews\u002F2024\u002F08\u002F15\u002Fmortgage-delinquencies-increase-in-the-second-quarter-of-2024\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">says\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“. . . servicers are helping at-risk homeowners avoid foreclosures through loan workout options that can mitigate temporary distress.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>So, even if someone \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F30\u002Favoid-these-top-homebuyer-mistakes-in-todays-market\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">falls behind\u003C\u002Fa> on their payments, there are support systems in place to help them avoid foreclosure.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Low Unemployment Helps Keep the Market Stable\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>One other important factor is today’s low unemployment rate. More people have stable jobs, which means they’re better able to afford their mortgage payments. As Archana Pradhan, Principal Economist at \u003Cem>CoreLogic\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.corelogic.com\u002Fintelligence\u002Fserious-mortgage-delinquency-rates-lowest-since-1999\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">explains\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“Low unemployment numbers have helped reduce the overall delinquency rate . . .”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>During the last housing crisis, unemployment was much higher, which led to a wave of foreclosures. Today’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bls.gov\u002Fnews.release\u002Fempsit.nr0.htm\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">unemployment rate\u003C\u002Fa> is very different (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20241119\u002F20241125-Unemployment-Is-Still-Very-Low-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20241119\u002F20241125-Unemployment-Is-Still-Very-Low-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of employment and financial crisis\">\u003C\u002Fa>That stability in how many people are employed is one of the reasons the market doesn’t have the same risks as it did the last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>There’s no need to worry about a wave of distressed sales like the one we saw in 2008. Most homeowners today are employed and have low-interest mortgages they can afford, so they’re able to make their payments. As McBride \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnhc.org\u002Fupdate-the-housing-bubble-and-mortgage-debt-as-a-percent-of-gdp\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">states\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“The bottom line is there will not be a huge wave of distressed sales as happened following the housing bubble.” \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>","\u003Cp>While mortgage debt is high, rest assured the market isn’t on the brink of another crash. Instead, most \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F22\u002Fplanning-to-sell-your-house-in-2025-start-prepping-now\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">homeowners\u003C\u002Fa> are in a strong position. If you have \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F31\u002Fhow-real-estate-agents-take-the-fear-out-of-moving\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">questions\u003C\u002Fa> or concerns, \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F11\u002F08\u002Fwhy-you-need-an-agent-to-set-the-right-asking-price-infographic\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">let’s connect\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20241119\u002F20241125-Homeowners-Have-Far-More-Equity-Than-Mortgage-Debt-original.png",[265,266,267],{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},{"id":37,"name":38,"slug":39},{"id":105,"name":106,"slug":107},"2024-11-25T11:30:00Z","2024-11-25T11:30:12Z",{"id":271,"slug":272,"title":273,"description":274,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":275,"bannerImage":131,"body":276,"agentsBottomLine":277,"bodyImage":278,"isInfographic":137,"categories":279,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":282,"updatedAt":283},66253,"why-todays-foreclosure-numbers-wont-trigger-a-crash","Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Won’t Trigger a Crash","\u003Cp>With everything feeling more expensive these days, it’s natural to worry about how rising costs might impact the housing market.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20241023\u002F20241024-Why-Today-s-Foreclosure-Numbers-Won-t-Trigger-a-Crash-original.png","\u003Cp>With everything feeling more expensive these days, it’s natural to worry about how rising costs might impact the \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F21\u002Fwhat-to-expect-from-mortgage-rates-and-home-prices-in-2025\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">housing market\u003C\u002Fa>. Many people are concerned that high prices and tighter budgets could cause more homeowners to fall behind on their mortgage payments, leading to a wave of foreclosures.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But before you start worrying about a housing \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F09\u002Ftwo-reasons-why-the-housing-market-wont-crash\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">market crash\u003C\u002Fa>, here’s a look at what’s really happening. And the good news is: the latest foreclosure data shows there’s no wave on the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>How Today’s Market Is Different from 2008\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Let’s ease those fears by looking at the bigger picture. The graph below uses \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmost-recent\u002Fq3-2024-foreclosure-market-report\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">research\u003C\u002Fa> from \u003Cem>ATTOM\u003C\u002Fem>, a property data provider, to show that the number of homeowners starting the foreclosure process is nowhere near what we saw coming out of 2008. Back then, there was a big spike in how many foreclosures were happening. Today, the number is much lower – it's even dropped some in the latest report. There’s a big difference between what’s happening now, and what happened when the housing market crashed (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20241023\u002F20241024-Foreclosure-Activity-Still-Far-Below-Levels-Seen-During-the-Crash-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20241023\u002F20241024-Foreclosure-Activity-Still-Far-Below-Levels-Seen-During-the-Crash-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a fall\">\u003C\u002Fa>Just in case you’re wondering why the number of foreclosure filings has ticked up slightly since 2020 and 2021, here’s what you need to know. During those years, there was a moratorium (\u003Cem>shown in white\u003C\u002Fem>) designed to help millions of homeowners avoid foreclosure in challenging times. That’s why the numbers for just a few years ago were so incredibly low. If you look further back, it’s clear overall foreclosure filings are down significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And if you’re wondering: how are there fewer foreclosures today, even when the cost of living has gotten so pricey? Here’s your answer. One of the main reasons is that homeowners today have a lot \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F09\u002F09\u002Fthe-surprising-amount-of-home-equity-youve-gained-over-the-years\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">more equity\u003C\u002Fa> built up in their homes than they did back in 2008. As an article from \u003Cem>Bankrate \u003C\u002Fem>explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“In the years after the housing crash, millions of foreclosures flooded the housing market, depressing prices. That’s not the case now. Most homeowners have a comfortable equity cushion in their homes.” \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>This equity acts like a safety net and is allowing many homeowners to avoid going into foreclosure if they’re facing financial hardships.\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>Even if someone is struggling to make their monthly payments, they may be able to sell their home and avoid foreclosure altogether. This is a far cry from the conditions during the crash when homeowners owed more on their mortgages than their homes were worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What’s Ahead for the Housing Market\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>It’s true that today’s higher cost of living across the board is a challenge for many people right now. But this doesn’t mean we’re heading for a surge in foreclosures. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The equity cushion that people have is helping to keep foreclosure filings low. Today’s homeowners have more options to avoid going into foreclosure.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Yes, everyday costs for gas and food have gotten more expensive—but that doesn’t mean the housing market is on the brink of another foreclosure crisis. Data shows the market is far from a foreclosure wave. Homeowners today are in a much stronger financial position than they were during the 2008 crash, thanks to significant equity. \u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20241023\u002F20241024-Foreclosure-Activity-Still-Far-Below-Levels-Seen-During-the-Crash-original.png",[280,281],{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},{"id":101,"name":102,"slug":103},"2024-10-24T10:30:00Z","2024-10-24T10:30:22Z",71,true]