ATTOM released its April 2026 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which showed there were 42,430 properties with foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions — down 8 percent from a month ago and up 18 percent from a year ago.
“Foreclosure activity continued its gradual trend higher in April, with both foreclosure starts and completed foreclosures posting annual gains,” ATTOM CEO Rob Barber, said in a release. “While overall filings declined from the previous month, the year-over-year increases suggest lenders may be working through distressed inventory as higher borrowing costs and affordability challenges impact some homeowners. Even so, foreclosure activity remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels.”
One in every 3,388 housing units nationwide had a foreclosure filing in April. Delaware posted the nation’s worst foreclosure rate at one in every 1,739 housing units with a foreclosure filing. South Carolina followed closely behind (one in every 1,745 housing units), followed by Florida (one in every 2,092), Indiana (one in every 2,129) and Illinois (one in every 2,262).
Among metro areas with populations of 500,000 or more, Lakeland, Fla. recorded the worst foreclosure rate in April, with one filing for every 1,221 housing units. Following Lakeland were Columbia, S.C. (one in every 1,287); Charleston, S.C. (one in every 1,483); Bakersfield, Calif. (one in every 1,566); and Cape Coral, Fla. (one in every 1,628).
In April, lenders started the foreclosure process on 28,414 properties, down 6 percent from the previous month but up 12 percent from a year ago.
States with the highest number of foreclosure starts in April were Florida (3,505 foreclosure starts); Texas (3,154); California (2,786); Georgia (1,407); and Illinois (1,366).
Among major metropolitan areas with a population of at least 500,000 and a minimum of 100 foreclosure starts, the following saw the largest year-over-year increases in foreclosure starts in April: Pittsburgh, Pa. (increase from 82 foreclosure starts in April 2025 to 215 in April 2026); Austin, Texas (increase from 158 to 396 foreclosure starts); Raleigh, N.C. (increase from 68 to 146); Lakeland, Fla. (increase from 99 to 199); and Akron, Ohio (increase from 60 to 117).
In April, lenders repossessed 5,098 properties through completed foreclosures (REOs), down 3 percent from the previous month but up 42 percent from a year ago.
States with the highest number of REOs in April were Texas (640 REOs); California (515); Florida (381); Pennsylvania (346); and Illinois (340).
Contrary to the national trend, those major metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with a population greater than 200,00 and at least 10 REOs that saw the greatest annual decline in the number of REOs in April included: Atlanta (decrease from 213 REOs in April 2025 to 52 in April 2026); Kansas City, Mo. (decrease from 30 to 10 REOs); Flint, Mich. (decrease from 24 to 11); Macon, Ga. (decrease from 26 to 14); and Cleveland (decrease from 38 to 24).