Foreclosure filings rise 18% year over year in August

Foreclosure activity in the U.S. increased in August, with 35,697 properties receiving default notices, scheduled for auction, or repossessed by lenders, according to ATTOM’s August 2025 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report.

The total was down 1% from July but up 18% from a year earlier.

“August marked the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year increases in U.S. foreclosure activity and the third straight month with double-digit annual growth,” said Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM. “While overall levels remain below those seen before the pandemic, the ongoing rise in both foreclosure starts and completions suggests that some homeowners may be experiencing added financial strain in the current high-cost and high-interest-rate environment.”

Nationwide, one in every 3,987 housing units had a foreclosure filing.

Breaking down the numbers

States with the highest foreclosure rates were Nevada (1 in 2,069 units), South Carolina (1 in 2,152), and Florida (1 in 2,512).

Among metropolitan areas with populations over 200,000, the highest rates were in Lakeland, Fla. (1 in 1,212), Columbia, S.C. (1 in 1,347), Chico, Calif. (1 in 1,545), Cleveland (1 in 1,755), and Ocala, Fla. (1 in 1,816).

Lenders started foreclosure proceedings on 24,254 properties in August — a slight decrease from July but up 17% from last year.

The states with the most foreclosure starts were Texas (2,982), Florida (2,803), California (2,558), New York (1,207), and Illinois (1,170).

Among large metro areas, New York led with 1,431 starts, followed by Houston (1,178), Chicago (1,009), Los Angeles (862), and Miami (748).

Reposessions rose

Foreclosure completions — properties repossessed by lenders — also rose.

A total of 4,077 homes were repossessed in August, up 5% from the prior month and 41% from a year earlier.

Texas led with 476 repossessions, followed by California (343), New York (319), Florida (276), and Illinois (232).

Among major metropolitan areas, Chicago had the most completed foreclosures (159), followed by New York (137), Houston (109), San Antonio (96), and Dallas (79).