The number of foreclosure filings in the Winston-Salem metro area dropped by 36% during the first quarter as more financial institutions and lenders appear to be slowing the pace of acquiring homes in delinquency.
According to the report from research firm Attom Data Solutions, there were 152 filings during the first quarter in the five-county area, down from 239 filings in the first quarter of 2023. Filings also were down from 161 in the fourth quarter.
Forsyth County, as is typical, had the most in the area during the first quarter with 84, followed by Davidson County (37), Yadkin County (12), Davie County (10) and Stokes County (9).
By comparison, there were 742 filings during 2023 in the Winston-Salem metro, along with 629 in 2022, 284 in 2021 and 579 in 2020.
The 2023 count, however, remains significantly down compared with before the COVID-19 pandemic when there were 1,283 filings in 2019 and 1,647 in 2018.
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Meanwhile, the three-county Greensboro-High Point metro area had 222 filings in the first quarter, down 19% from 274 a year ago and down 17.2% from 268 in the fourth quarter.
Guilford County, which is customary, had the most with 159, followed by Randolph County (32) and Rockingham County (31).
By comparison, there were 961 filings for all of 2023.
“First-quarter 2024 foreclosure data reveals a market in transition, with slight increases in filings and starts, alongside a notable decrease in real-estate owned properties,” Attom chief executive Rob Barber said. “While foreclosures remain relatively stable, we’re closely monitoring these trends. Homeowners continue to hold significant equity, contributing to a persistently hot housing market.”
For the 10-county Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro, there were 676 in the first quarter, compared with 672 in the fourth quarter and 651 a year ago. Mecklenburg County had the most at 209.
For the four-county Durham-Chapel Hill metro, there were 83 in the first quarter, compared with 93 in the fourth quarter and 108 a year ago. Durham County had the most at 52.
For the three-county Raleigh-Cary metro, there were 216 in the first quarter, compared with 210 in the fourth quarter and 220 a year ago. Wake County had the most in 149.