Foreclosure activity nationwide decreased in 2012, as noted by data from RealtyTrac, but there are still a number of metro areas across the country that experienced a rebound in foreclosure starts and foreclosure completions (REOs) during the year. Based on that data, RealtyTrac posted a predictive list of 20 metro areas that should see an increase in the number of foreclosures for sale in 2013 — either as short sales or bank-owned homes. For title and settlement professionals in these areas, it might be useful to adjust accordingly.

These areas all saw an increase of at least 20 percent in foreclosure starts and REOs combined in 2012, and all of these metro areas had at least 2,000 foreclosure starts and REOs combined in 2012 through November.

 
Metro area           %change in foreclosure activity              2012 foreclosure starts

Palm Bay, Fla……………110 percent…………………………….5,575
Lakeland, Fla…………….71 percent………………………….…..5,085
Raleigh, N.C……………..62 percent……………………………..1,648
Tampa, Fla……………….41 percent……………………..……..22,594
Panama City, Fla…………40 percent…………………………….1,303
Pensacola, Fla…………….38 percent………………………..…..2,516
Omaha, Neb………………38 percent………………………………953
Rockford, Ill………………36 percent……………………..…….2,547
Jacksonville, Fla…………..35 percent……………………………10,665
Pittsburgh, Pa……………...31 percent…………………………….3,180
Charlotte, N.C…………….30 percent………………….………….8,980
New Haven, Conn………...28 percent………………….………….2,511
Orlando, Fla……………….28 percent………………….………..17,429
Bridgeport, Conn………….28 percent……………………………..2,527
Winston-Salem, N.C………26 percent…………………………….1,504
Allentown, Pa.………… ….25 percent……………..……………..1,411
New York………………….25 percent……………..…………….30,455
Ocala, Fla.………………… 22 percent……………………………2,795
Greensboro, N.C.…………..21 percent………………….…………2,156
Cleveland…………………..21 percent…………………..……….11,489