FORECLOSURE ACTIVITY RISES IN MOST STATES

The number of foreclosure filings across the nation exceeded 100,000 for the fifth consecutive month in December, with foreclosure activity up year-ago levels in all but 13 states, according to RealtyTrac's "December 2006 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report."

In California, monthly foreclosures were down 34.4 percent from November but up nearly 65 percent from December 2005.

Rising interest rates on adjustable-rate mortgages and slower home sales continue to impact foreclosure activity throughout the U.S., according to the report.

The national foreclosure rate in December 2006 was one new filing for every 1,055 households.

**Taken from the California Association of Realtors Bulletin, dated January 17th, 2007.