Press Inquiry

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Ask Alexis a Question:

Based on our more than 20 years of experience collecting and disseminating real estate and foreclosure information, we have found that the best and most accurate method to measure foreclosures and foreclosure trends is based on the number of filings per household. (We use the most recent U.S. Census data on households in our statistics.)

To further ensure the accuracy of our numbers and not artificially skew foreclosure numbers, we do not base our foreclosure numbers on a total of all types of notices. A single property can in some cases, but not always, have up to three notices filed—notice of default, notice of foreclosure auction, and a trustees deed also known as REO (when a foreclosure is completed and a property reverts back to the lender as 'real estate owned').

We believe the number of foreclosures per 100 households is the true indicator of the weakness (or strength) in the housing markets. As an example, it's been recently reported that there are "more houses being foreclosed than during the Great Depression." From strictly a numbers point of view, that's true. But the rest of the story is that exponentially today there are many more households than there were during the Depression. To report only the nominal sums and not the household percentages is misleading in terms of what's actually happening in the market.

CLICK HERE to review our Accurate foreclosure numbers.

Our foreclosure listings are gathered from public recordings of official documents as required by each state. Document-type requirements vary by state. (Check out your state's Foreclosure Laws.) In all cases, a public recording begins the process—pre-foreclosure listing--and a public recording that changes the title on the property ends the process--foreclosure/REO listing.

Our pre-foreclosure numbers count each property once (even if there are multiple loans in default or multiple notices recorded per instance of foreclosure). If a loan goes in and out of default, however, it's included both times.

We hope our internal statistics and insights of what the data means provide an accurate tool to help you judge foreclosure trends in your community, state or across the nation.

To learn more about trends in foreclosures, the economy and the housing industry, please check our blog. We welcome your feedback. Please let us know how we can help you further.

For expert commentary please contact Alexis McGee, President, ForeclosureS.com at alexis@foreclosures.com. For help in using our Statistics Page please contact support@foreclosures.com. Thank you.

CLICK HERE to review our Accurate foreclosure numbers.