Foreclosure Rate Up From Last Year

The number of foreclosures in Hernando County during the first three months of 2009 is already 11 percent higher than the same time last year.

From Jan. 1 through March 30, a total of 856 foreclosure cases were filed in the county clerk's office. That's up from 762 last year.

For all of 2008, the clerk's office reported 3,256 filings.

Florida foreclosure activity in February increased nearly 14 percent from the previous month and 43 percent from February 2008 - thanks in large part to a nearly 158 percent year-over-year increase in auction sale notices and a 128 percent year-over-year increase in bank repossessions, according to RealtyTrac.

With 46,391 properties receiving a foreclosure filing, the state posted the nation's second highest state total in February.

"The increase in foreclosure activity from January to February is somewhat surprising, given that many of the foreclosure prevention efforts and moratoria in place in January were extended through most of February as well," said RealtyTrac CEO James Saccacio.

For state comparisons and other foreclosure information, visit www.realtytrac.com.