Foreclosures climb in early 2026

Foreclosure starts reached 82,631 in Q1, 20% higher than a year ago, with Texas, Florida and California topping the list.

Repossessions also moved higher: lenders took back 14,020 properties, a 45% annual jump, even as the average time to foreclose fell 14% year over year to 577 days.

States such as Louisiana and Hawaii still saw multi‑year timelines, while Texas and West Virginia remained among the fastest.

“Foreclosure activity increased in the first quarter, with both starts and completed foreclosures posting solid year‑over‑year gains,” said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM.

“While volumes remain below historical peaks, the continued rise, especially in starts and bank repossessions, suggests financial pressure may be building for some homeowners and could signal shifting housing market dynamics.”