BY THE NUMBERS

Prince George's County has the most, followed by Fairfax and Prince William counties, although Daren Blomquist of RealtyTrac said part of the reason is that these counties are large and highly populated. Montgomery County and Fauquier County rounded out the area's top five.

Source: RealtyTrac

By the numbers

» Number of D.C.-area homes with a foreclosure filing in February 2011: 1,213

» Number of D.C.-area homes with a foreclosure filing in February 2010: 3,851

» Number of D.C.-area foreclosure sales in fourth quarter 2010: 2,155

In Prince George's, one in every 742 listed properties is a foreclosure, while the rate is one in 548 in Prince William and one in 540 in Fairfax.

"Many of these areas during the real estate boom had a lot of selling going on," Blomquist said. "Those transactions that occurred during the boom are generally where the most foreclosures are."

The promise of getting a residence at a rock-bottom price does not always pan out, however, as many area foreclosures are being snatched up by investors and buyers who can pay cash.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/real-estate-news/2011/03/investors-cash-buyers-snap-area-foreclosures#ixzz1I5cne6cI


For free foreclosure listings call 240-305-9462 or send email at isellhouses2@gmail.com

Billions in Aid

A $7.6 billion federal effort to help unemployed homeowners avoid foreclosure will soon be running in all 18 states sharing the funds.


"Those eligible receive forgivable loans for mortgage payments, or they may tap other programs, such as one to help them get current on mortgage payments. Generally, the loans are forgiven after five years if borrowers stay in the homes and keep current on payments. Next month, all of the states plus the District of Columbia are expected to have launched partial, full or pilot programs, says Treasury Department spokeswoman Andrea Risotto."


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HOUSING PREDICTOR

According to Housing Predictor, which releases an annual report of its choices for best and worst housing markets

The top five housing markets are: 

1. Portland, Maine
2. Kansas City, Kan.
3. Tri-Cities, Wash.
4. Omaha, Neb.
5. Fargo, N.D.

However, not all markets will fare well in 2011, with the foreclosure crisis particularly still battering some areas as well as high unemployment and overbuilding during the boom era that has led to high home inventories.