November 14, 2007 (LPAC)--RealtyTrac, the Irvine, Calif.-based real estate information provider, reported today that cities in just three states -- California, Ohio and Florida -- combined accounted for 17 of the top 25 metropolitan foreclosure rates during the third quarter of 2007. The rising foreclosure activity was not limited to these former housing market "hot spots," however, as 77 out of the top 100 metro areas reported more foreclosure filings in the third quarter compared to the previous three-month period.

At the epicenter, Stockton, Calif. had the highest foreclosure rate, of one filing for every 31 households. With a total of 7,116 foreclosure filings on 4,409 properties, this was up 30% from the previous quarter, and more than five times the level one year earlier. (Multiple foreclosure actions could be filed on a single property). Detroit, decimated by the takedown of the auto industry, ranked second-highest with a rate of one foreclosure filing for every 33 households. Its total of 25,708 filings on 16,079 properties was twice the number in the second quarter. Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif. recorded the third-highest rate, of one foreclosure for every 43 households.

Rounding out the metro areas with the worst foreclosure rates were: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Las Vegas; Sacramento, Calif.; Cleveland; Miami; Bakersfield, Calif.; and Oakland, Calif. California cities together represented seven of the top 25 metro foreclosure rates, while Florida and Ohio each accounted for five.