Foreclosure rate dips, but not in Carson

Foreclosure activity nationwide decreased 9 percent in April compared to March, according to a report released Thursday by RealtyTrac, a foreclosure tracking firm.

That's also a 2 percent decline from April 2009.

James J. Saccacio, the CEO of RealtyTrac, said the April report shows foreclosure activity is beginning to plateau, but at a high level that isn't likely to drop off in the near future.

"April was the first month in the history of our report with an annual decrease in U.S. foreclosure activity," Saccacio said. "Secondly, bank repossessions, or REOs, hit a record monthly high for the report even while default notices dropped substantially on a monthly and annual basis."

The number of defaults issued decreased last month by 12 percent compared to March and decreased 27 percent compared to April 2009.

Foreclosure activity in Carson City increased from February to March, from 10 to 28, according to the latest data available from the city assessor office.

Meanwhile, auction activity decreased by 13 percent in April compared to March when it peaked at 158,000 properties, according to RealtyTrac.

Nevada still had the highest foreclosure rate in the nation in April for the 40th consecutive month followed by Arizona and Florida, according to RealtyTrac.

One in 69 homes received a foreclosure filing in Nevada, more than five times the national average.

Foreclosure activity in Arizona decreased nearly 15 percent to one in every 169 homes.