Foreclosure statistics have again sprung up across all media outlets. However, unlike recent trends, the headlines for California are claiming dramatic foreclosure declines. Imagine, in a time with economic strain taking precedence in the media, comes an article with a slight glimmer of hope? But is it based on fact?

According to reports from Foreclosure Radar, California foreclosure notices in September dropped significantly compared to rates in August. The statistic comes from one of several articles on the subject, this one titled, “State foreclosures fall dramatically.” The article quotes the company as stating, “Notices of default, which indicate the start of the foreclosure process, fell 61.8 percent in California compared with August.”

While Foreclosure Radar rarely issues foreclosure statistics statements to the media, it is interesting to see once reporting a rather drastic change (whether it be an increase or decrease) the company is suddenly the sole source for foreclosure data and trends. Also, it was rare to see no articles utilizing Realty Trac statistics for California for that specific time period; as most likely they would have been different or worst yet, would not have been as dramatic. Over the last few months of foreclosure investigating, Foreclosure Research has come to find out the more drastic the change the more media coverage.

However, there was one foreclosure listings company that did report a similar statistic. In a press release published on October 9, 2008, Foreclosures.com reported that California foreclosure flings did in fact decline, however, they declined by just 38 percent. The decline issued by Foreclosures.com is almost half of what was reported by Foreclosure Radar. The figure issued by ForeclosureS.com, a company who is more frequently quoted in the media, was not found anywhere in traditional media outlets. Only the more dramatic change by Foreclosure Radar was used.

While California most likely did reflect a decline in foreclosure flings, it is up to the media to report not only correct figures, but not play favorites to those figures that would be easier to sensationalize.