Nearly 44 percent fewer foreclosure deeds were filed in Massachusetts in April than in the same month a year ago and petitions to foreclose dropped by almost 40 percent over the same period.
But Boston-based real estate tracker The Warren Group said the month’s numbers are not cause for too much optimism. “The employment picture hasn’t changed much and mortgage loan delinquencies have been trending up,” said Timothy Warren, the group’s CEO.
In April, 755 foreclosure deeds were filed statewide, compared to 1,344 in April 2008. It was the first time in six months that fewer than 800 foreclosure deeds were filed. During the same time, 2,013 petitions to foreclose were filed compared to 3,328 the year before.
Foreclosure deed recordings were also down from 953 in March. More than 2,300 petitions to foreclose were filed in March.
April foreclosure auction announcements were also down 45 percent over the year.
