As 2009 comes to a close let us revisit some of the top stories of the year. Undoubtedly the year was awash in news of a depressed economy and a depressed real estate market. However, with the cyclic nature of both these areas, we can only wait and see what developments arise in the coming year, and in the coming decade.
January 2009
Foreclosure Research reports mixed figures on foreclosure filings and REOs for 2008.
According to RealtyTrac there were a total of 3.16 million filings for the year. ForeclosureS.com reported …

Despite the fact that most foreclosure listing companies reported a nationwide decrease in foreclosures and default filings, the media offered headlines donned with the usual negative perspective.
RealtyTrac seems to be the only major listing company that offered statistics for August. The foreclosure listing company reported a 1 percent decrease in filings with a 13 percent decrease in repossessions. ForeclosureS.com didn’t offer a report for the month presumably because they found an increase in fillings, as they have historically reported larger number of properties in foreclosure.
Here are some of …

It looks like RealtyTrac and Foreclosures.com are getting closer to similar reporting results but have yet to get it down to a science. The most recent statistics for Clark County Nevada came to only a 6.5% disparity compared to past differences of up to 100%. While the percent difference was closer than usual, the difference in the total properties varied by 13%.
It’s also getting harder and harder to catch. While RealtyTrac reports foreclosure flings, which include both default notices and REO properties, ForeclosureS.com reports them separately. Also, many times …

The first half of 2009 foreclosure reports continues to trickle in. Coming as no surprise to readers of Foreclosure Research, the reports have their variances in outcomes- some of these variances greater than others.
The latest report is comprised of figures from ForeclosureS.com who is no stranger to the media spotlight. The report was published in the Orlando Business Journal on July 9, 2009 titled, “Fla. Ranks No. 2 in foreclosures.”
According to the article, ForeclosureS.com reported 256,133 filings between January 2009 and June 2009. As for bank repossessions, ForeclosureS.com …

The first month of the year may be an indicator of better times to come. For the first time in a while all foreclosure listing companies reported a decline in January foreclosures.
As seems to be the norm, the percent by which foreclosures decreased continues to be up to debate. According to an article published in Ad Hoc News, ForeclosureS.com reported that nationwide foreclosure had decreased 25 percent. The company also reported a 12 percent decrease in foreclosure filings.
However, according to a separate series of articles, a different percent was …

Foreclosure Research received a comment on a recent article stating that Realty Trac had posted two separate numbers for 2008 foreclosure filings. One number was total filings (3.16 million) the other number, which was not mention in the article, was the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing (2.3 million).
The fact of the matter is why would RealtyTrac have even released a figure that contained duplicate figures? Readers should ask themselves, what is the point of knowing that one home received two foreclosure flings versus just one?
This information is …

Some more conflicting numbers are out this week along with a sprinkle of blatantly wrong information. Foreclosure statistics for 2008 continue to make national headlines. Last week’s Foreclosure Research article focused on foreclosure fillings while this week’s article will take a glimpse at actual foreclosures across the country in 2008.
One article out of BusinessWeek offered some foreclosure statistics from ForeclosureS.com. According to the article, “the foreclosure process was begun on 2 million” homes but there were “over one million lost homes,” or actual repossessions.
However, according to an Associated …

The yearly reports for 2008 are beginning to roll through. The various 2008 foreclosure analyses are looking less like reports and more like statistical conjectures. As Foreclosure Research has reported in the past, every foreclosure listing company has their own set of data and their own data gathering methods. Many times monthly reports show great differences but in light of a year’s synopsis the variance is immense.
One article from Market Watch titled, “U.S. foreclosure filings in 2008 rose 81% from 2007,” offered data from RealtyTrac. According to the article, …

With 2009 now upon us, let us review the past year and see how the real estate market and the media reporting it have evolved from day one.
July 2008: the birth of Foreclosure Research
Key Points:
-Lack of articles publishing current decreases in foreclosures but rather focusing on increases from prior years.
-RealtyTrac reports 3% decrease in foreclosures from May to June, ForeclosureS.com reports 5.35% increase from May to June.
- No “current foreclosure” statistics available on RealtyTrac or ForeclosureS.com, making it nearly impossible to confirm their reported statistics.
August 2008
Key Points:
-Article reports conflicting numbers …

With the year coming to a close, many companies and researchers are eager to predict the outcome of the 2009 market. With the economy hovering in a state of uncertainty, the upcoming New Year is on everybody’s mind. Real estate especially has seen a tumultuous year with the rise and fall of foreclosure rates, although the industry has seen more increases than decreases.
Foreclosure listing companies have offered a variety of foreclosure statistics throughout the year. Some reporting more accurate numbers than others, but all in all giving their representation …