Completed Foreclosures Down in Wrentham, State For July

The number of completed foreclosures in Wrentham dropped in July, according to data released today.

The numbers, compiled by real estate information firm The Warren Group, had completed foreclosures (or foreclosure deeds) falling from three in July 2010 to zero last month. Foreclosure petitions, which represent newly started foreclosures, remained steady at one.

For the year to date, foreclosure deeds have fallen from 17 to six, and petitions from 16 to 11.

The state saw a drop from 2,307 last July to 1,441 last month. The figure, though, represented the most petitions filed thus far in 2011. Deeds fell from 1,247 to 775 over the same timeframe.

Banker & Tradesman Managing Editor Cory S. Hopkins said in a statement that the high mark of foreclosure petitions was not a good sign for the market.

"The foreclosure process is showing signs of acceleration. For the past two months, foreclosure petitions have markedly increased, which proves that lenders are beginning to act more swiftly," he said. "Despite the drop in foreclosures from a year ago, homeowners are still struggling."

Here are the foreclosure statistics for area towns:

• Dover's July foreclosure petitions fell from two to zero, while foreclosure deeds increased from zero to one.
• Easton saw its July foreclosure petitions fall from seven to two, while deeds were steady at three.
• Foxborough saw declines in both foreclosure deeds (from one to zero) and petitions (six to one) for the month of July.
• In Mansfield, foreclosure petitions dropped from six to three for July, and deeds fell from six to two.
• Medfield's July foreclosure petitions declined from three to one, while deeds fell from two to zero.
• Norfolk saw its foreclosure petitions drop from one to zero, but its deeds increased from zero to two.
• Norton foreclosure petitions dropped from 10 to nine, while deeds declined from five to one.
• Norwood had its foreclosure petitions decrease, going from 11 to four in the month of July. Deeds remained steady at two.
• Plainville's foreclosure petitions dropped from six to two, while its deeds remained steady at one.
• Sharon's foreclosure petitions increased from four to six in July, while one deed was issued in both July 2010 and July 2011.
• Stoughton saw its July foreclosure petitions fall from 15 to seven, but deeds increased from two to three.