The foreclosure rate in the United States has experienced significant fluctuations over the past two decades, reaching its peak in 2010 at 2.23 percent following the financial crisis. Since then, the rate has steadily declined, with a notable drop to 0.11 percent in 2021 due to government interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, the rate stood slightly higher at 0.23 percent but remained well below historical averages, indicating a relatively stable housing market. Impact of economic conditions on foreclosures The foreclosure rate is closely tied to broader economic trends and housing market conditions. During the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the share of non-performing mortgage loans climbed significantly, with loans 90 to 180 days past due reaching 4.6 percent. Since then, the share of seriously delinquent loans has dropped notably, demonstrating a substantial improvement in mortgage performance. Among other things, the improved mortgage performance has to do with changes in the mortgage approval process. Homebuyers are subject to much stricter lending standards, such as higher credit score requirements. These changes ensure that borrowers can meet their payment obligations and are at a lower risk of defaulting and losing their home. Challenges for potential homebuyers Despite the low foreclosure rates, potential homebuyers face significant challenges in the current market. Homebuyer sentiment worsened substantially in 2021 and remained low across all age groups through 2024, with the 45 to 64 age group expressing the most negative outlook. Factors contributing to this sentiment include high housing costs and various financial obligations. For instance, in 2023, 52 percent of non-homeowners reported that student loan expenses hindered their ability to save for a down payment.

Graph and download economic data for Large Bank Consumer Mortgage Balances: 30 or More Days Past Due: Including Foreclosures Rates: Balances Based (RCMFLBBALDPDPCT30P) from Q3 2012 to Q4 2024 about 30 days +, FR Y-14M, large, balance, mortgage, consumer, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

In the second quarter of 2024, the share of mortgage loans in the foreclosure process in the U.S. decreased slightly to 0.43 percent. Following the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis, mortgage delinquency rates spiked to the highest levels since the Subprime mortgage crisis (2007-2010). To prevent further impact on homeowners, Congress passed the CARES Act that provides foreclosure protections for borrowers with federally backed mortgage loans. As a result, the foreclosure rate fell to historically low levels.

Graph and download economic data for Nonfarm Real Estate Foreclosures for United States (M09075USM476NNBR) from Jan 1934 to Mar 1963 about real estate, nonfarm, and USA.

Following the drastic increase directly after the COVID-19 pandemic, the delinquency rate started to gradually decline, falling below *** percent in the second quarter of 2023. In the second half of 2023, the delinquency rate picked up, but remained stable throughout 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, **** percent of mortgage loans were delinquent. That was significantly lower than the **** percent during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 or the peak of *** percent during the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007-2010. What does the mortgage delinquency rate tell us? The mortgage delinquency rate is the share of the total number of mortgaged home loans in the U.S. where payment is overdue by 30 days or more. Many borrowers eventually manage to service their loan, though, as indicated by the markedly lower foreclosure rates. Total home mortgage debt in the U.S. stood at almost ** trillion U.S. dollars in 2024. Not all mortgage loans are made equal ‘Subprime’ loans, being targeted at high-risk borrowers and generally coupled with higher interest rates to compensate for the risk. These loans have far higher delinquency rates than conventional loans. Defaulting on such loans was one of the triggers for the 2007-2010 financial crisis, with subprime delinquency rates reaching almost ** percent around this time. These higher delinquency rates translate into higher foreclosure rates, which peaked at just under ** percent of all subprime mortgages in 2011.

Graph and download economic data for Delinquency Rate on Commercial Real Estate Loans (Excluding Farmland), Booked in Domestic Offices, All Commercial Banks (DRCRELEXFACBS) from Q1 1991 to Q4 2024 about farmland, domestic offices, delinquencies, real estate, commercial, domestic, loans, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans had the highest delinquency rate in the United States in 2024. As of the second quarter of the year, 10.6 percent of one-to-four family housing mortgage loans were 30 days or more delinquent. This percentage was lower for conventional loans and Veterans Administration loans. Despite a slight increase, the delinquency rate for all mortgages was one of the lowest on record.

As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, many people worldwide faced job insecurity and loss of income. For mortgage borrowers in the United States, this means increased default and foreclosure risk. Forbearance is a type of borrower assistance which allows the lender to negotiate a temporary postponement of a mortgage repayment. It allows a payment period relief in lieu of the creditor foreclosing on any property that was used as collateral for the loan.

As of March 2022, New York was one of the states in the United States with highest forbearance rate for Freddie Mac single-family housing loans with approximately 0.87 percent of current loans in forbearance.

The mortgage delinquency rate for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans in the United States declined since 2020, when it peaked at 15.65 percent. In the second quarter of 2024, 10.6 percent of FHA loans were delinquent. Historically, FHA mortgages have the highest delinquency rate of all mortgage types.

As of March 2025, the 30-day delinquency rate for commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) varied per property type. The share of late payments for office CMBS was the highest at over 9.76 percent, about three percentage points higher than the average for all asset classes. A 30-day delinquency refers to payments that are one month late, regardless of how many days the month has. Commercial mortgage-backed securities are fixed-income investment products which are backed by mortgages on commercial property.