U.S. foreclosures up during first quarter

WASHINGTON, June 14 (UPI) -- More homeowners in the United States were behind on their mortgages during the first quarter this year than last, an industry group reported Thursday.

The delinquency rate for residential mortgage loans was 4.84 percent of all outstanding loans during the first quarter, up 43 points from a year ago and down 11 points from the last quarter of 2006, the Mortgage Bankers Association said in a news release.

The percentage of loans in foreclosure was 1.28 percent, up nine points from the fourth quarter of 2006 and 30 basis points from a year ago.

The number of loans entering foreclosure was 0.58 percent, 17 points higher than the first quarter last year.

The foreclosure percentage would be lower if Ohio, Michigan and Indiana were not considered, MBA said. The rate of foreclosures started also would have dropped if not for jumps in California, Florida, Nevada and Arizona.

The rate of foreclosures started on sub-prime adjustable rate mortgages jumped from 2.7 percent to 3.23 percent, mainly because of California, Florida, Nevada and Arizona, the organization said.

All states experienced circumstances such as land speculators walking away from properties, poor economies and job loss.