Yes, foreclosure rates have been going up in recent years. For example, in August 2025, foreclosures were 18% higher than they were in August 2024. They had risen for six months in a row prior to reaching that level.
One woman whose home was being foreclosed upon said that it was the overwhelming debt she faced from a variety of sources that caused her house to become unaffordable. This included paying the mortgage, paying for her car and paying for other necessities.
Researchers note that many costs associated with homeownership have been going up. This includes the cost of repairs, utilities, homeowners insurance, property taxes and much more. Someone who may have felt their home was very affordable just five years ago could feel much differently today.
What are your options to address a foreclosure?
If you are facing foreclosure or are behind on your mortgage payments, you do need to know exactly what steps to take. You should receive appropriate notices informing you that the foreclosure is coming and giving you a chance to get current on your mortgage loan.
One thing to consider is that filing for bankruptcy puts an automatic stay on your foreclosure case, along with other collection efforts. This does not mean that it prevents the foreclosure entirely, but simply that the case has to be put on pause while you go through bankruptcy. This can sometimes allow you to address other debt and make your home affordable once again.
With foreclosures on the rise, more and more Americans are going to need to know exactly what legal options they have to protect their future.