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The surge in the number of properties falling under foreclosures listings was just one of the reasons cited for the rise in several New York areas' vacancy rates in the past 10 years. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that between 2000 and 2010, vacancy levels in areas like Ulster, Sullivan and Orange have jumped by more than 20%.

Relative to other major U.S. markets, Long Island foreclosure listings, foreclosed property numbers in the Hudson region and distressed home totals in most boroughs of New York City can be considered manageable. However, the rise in foreclosure numbers was also felt in the region, with a big number of state residents leaving houses vacant and apartments empty of tenants.

Aside from the growth of foreclosure listings in New York, analysts stated that overbuilding during the real estate boom was also to blame for the surge in vacant premises in the mid-Hudson region, particularly in Orange County. The increase in the number of vacation dwellings in the region of Catskills also contributed to the rise in vacancy levels since these homes are considered empty when Census counts are made. As of last year, census reports showed that the three counties have a combined vacancy rate increase of 21.4% during the past decade.

Among the three markets, Orange County was considered the area most affected by foreclosures listings and overbuilding during the pre-crisis period. The population of the county surged by 9.2% during 2000-2010, while vacant homes increased by 39% during the same period. Census data also showed that over 8% of residential properties in the area were vacant.

Although New York had some of the lowest house foreclosures by state, residential property data showed that a big percentage of the empty houses in Orange County were accounted for by foreclosed and bank owned houses. The high level of distressed properties in the region, local realtors revealed, was due to overzealous developers who, prior to the housing market crisis, thought that by building more houses, more people will move into the region and more buyers will purchase these homes.

When the crisis hit, the area was left with an oversupply of over-priced dwellings that no one is willing to buy and not a lot of people can afford, with most of these unsold properties ending at foreclosures listings. Realtors also attributed the high vacancy rates to the recession that hammered the nation around two years ago which produced a more cautious attitude among consumers.

The rise in the number of homes falling under foreclosure listing in Virginia has spawned a number of companies taking advantage of troubled homeowners, market analysts have reported. A housing agency in the region has recently sought the help of the Attorney General's Office to prosecute these companies that are offering fake rescue services to borrowers in the state.

According to Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME), several companies operating in the state are encouraging borrowers to take steps that can lead them to financial troubles and might even be illegal. Housing counselors have reported that the rise in the number of Big Island foreclosures and distressed properties in various areas of the state has created a market for these fraudulent companies. Around 300 state homeowners have reportedly fallen victim to these firms' practices.

Meanwhile, HOME has reportedly investigated around 60 of these businesses that are believed to be targeting homeowners whose properties are under Virginia foreclosure lists. Most of the victims, reports have revealed, are borrowers seeking loan modifications. Reports also claimed that the companies get in touch with homeowners through phone and mail. Majority of the homeowners who have reported being approached by these companies are said to have paid upfront fees in exchange for assistance in their loan modification applications.

However, these companies have failed to deliver the promised assistance, with most of their supposed customers eventually seeing their homes included in foreclosure listing. Housing counselors have warned homeowners not to entertain such companies, particularly when they ask for upfront fees even before a service is rendered. They advise borrowers to instead get in touch with a housing agency that is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD.

In addition, counselors have stated that companies that promise that they can definitely put a stop to foreclosures are most likely fake. They also warn homeowners with properties in pre foreclosure listings not to stop paying their mortgages if a company approaches them and asks them to give the payment to them instead. Victims of these fraudulent businesses have also reported that they were sometimes asked by such firms to provide fake information on their loan modification application documents.

With a lot of homes ending in foreclosure listing in Virginia, housing counselors asserted that it is not surprising that there are those who will take advantage of homeowners' plight. They advise borrowers to report to local authorities if they had been approached by any of these fake businesses.

The best foreclosure listings in Chicago, Illinois added more properties during the month of March 2011 compared with February 2011. According to housing market analysts, although foreclosure numbers have declined in most U.S. markets year-over-year, the residential property industry is still in trouble and the drop has more to do with delayed procedures rather than an improving market.

For those who were planning on buying properties on foreclosed home listing in Nevada, February 2011 proved to be a time for less number of choices. This is because foreclosure activities in the region have dropped by over 20% during February compared with January.

Distressed properties and lists of foreclosures houses remain elevated in Charlotte, North Carolina, causing residential property prices to continue to decline in the region. According to a recent report by Standard & Poor's, the region was ranked ninth among the 20 biggest housing markets of the U.S. in terms of price decreases for the 12-month period ending January 31, 2011.

Foreclosed home listings continue to hammer most of Florida's markets, but a few are reportedly showing signs of growth and improvement. In areas popular for being vacation hotspots, wealthy property buyers are reportedly making a comeback as they take advantage of heavily discounted prices among vacation homes and condominium units.

The number of properties on foreclosure list in most regions of the U.S. is expected to rise further as the year progresses. Part of the reason is the huge number of mortgages that are currently underwater. Underwater loans are those that cost more than the values of the properties for which they were taken out for.

Properties under foreclosure homes list accounted for almost 50% of the total number of housing units sold in Arizona last year. The region was second among the 50 U.S. states in terms of foreclosure sales in 2010. Meanwhile, nationwide foreclosure sales percentage declined from a year ago, but was higher than 2008 figures.

Some high-end homes are listed at foreclosed home listings and are offered at prices way below their original market value. This has resulted in fewer expensive home sales, even in California. However, recent data showed that the state sold higher number of multimillion dwellings last year compared with previous periods.