IRVINE, CA — Foreclosure activity across the United States continued to climb in April 2025, according to ATTOM’s latest U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. The report recorded 36,033 properties with foreclosure filings, a 0.4% increase from March and a notable 13.9% rise compared to the same month last year. This includes default notices, scheduled auctions, and bank repossessions.
“April’s foreclosure activity continued its gradual climb, with both starts and completions up annually,” said Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM. “While volumes remain below historical norms, the year-over-year increases may suggest that some homeowners are beginning to feel the effects of persistent economic pressures.”
REO Completions Jump Annually
One standout finding in the report was the annual increase in completed foreclosures, or REOs (real estate owned properties). Lenders repossessed 3,580 U.S. properties through completed foreclosures in April, a 23.3% rise compared to the same period last year, despite a 2.9% dip from March. This marks the second consecutive month of annual growth in REO totals.
Certain states, however, bucked the national trend with significant year-over-year declines in REO activity. South Carolina reported a 45.9% drop, Maryland recorded a 42.5% decrease, and Ohio saw a decline of 22.4%. Other states experiencing substantial reductions were New York (-17.3%) and New Jersey (-11.5%).
Among metropolitan areas with populations of over 200,000, Chicago, IL, led in completed foreclosures with 220 REOs, followed by Atlanta, GA (213), New York, NY (143), Houston, TX (114), and Philadelphia, PA (86).
Foreclosure Rates Highest in South Carolina, Illinois, and Florida
Nationwide, one in every 3,950 U.S. housing units had a foreclosure filing in April. South Carolina recorded the highest foreclosure rate, with filings for one in every 2,311 housing units. Illinois followed with one in every 2,405, and Florida ranked third, with one in every 2,526. Rounding out the top five were Delaware (one in every 2,617) and Nevada (one in every 2,944).
On a metropolitan level, Warner Robins, GA, posted the highest foreclosure rate among areas with a population of 200,000 or more, with one in every 1,512 housing units having a filing. Other high-ranking metros included Killeen-Temple, TX (one in every 1,590), Chico, CA (one in every 1,720), and Ocala, FL (one in every 1,731). Larger metropolitan areas with spikes in foreclosure rates included Cleveland, OH, and Chicago, IL, both reflecting notable foreclosure pressures.
Foreclosure Starts Rise Year-over-Year
Foreclosure starts also experienced a rise in April, with 25,265 properties beginning the foreclosure process. This marks a 0.8% increase from March and a 16.1% rise compared to April 2024.
Texas led the nation in foreclosure starts with 3,280, followed by Florida (2,810), California (2,501), Illinois (1,313), and Ohio (1,135). Among major metropolitan regions, Houston, TX, recorded the highest number of starts with 1,202, followed by Chicago, IL (1,139), New York, NY (1,099), Miami, FL (739), and Atlanta, GA (665).
Looking Ahead
The report indicates a growing but measured uptick in foreclosure activity as economic pressures weigh on some homeowners. While foreclosure filings remain well below historic averages, the year-over-year increases in starts and completions point to potential challenges ahead for the housing market.
“As borrowers face tighter budgets, it’s possible we could see continued increases in foreclosure activity,” Barber noted. “However, overall levels remain far from past housing crises, providing some reassurance about the broader market’s stability.”
ATTOM’s data serves as a key barometer of housing market trends, and the gradual uptick in foreclosure activity may signal shifting dynamics in the real estate landscape. For stakeholders, monitoring these developments will be crucial in assessing the health and resilience of the housing market in the months to come.
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