Home foreclosures fell in Southern California in June compared to a year ago, continuing a trend to a more normal market, according to a report released Thursday. There were 7,578 foreclosures in the six-county region, down about 8 percent from the same month last year, according to RealtyTrac, an Irvine real estate data firm. The number of foreclosures has been falling on a year-over-year basis for nearly four years, but on a month-to-month basis, the rate rose about 3 percent since May. Housing experts believe some of the increase this summer may be from banks being more aggressive in ousting homeowners behind on their mortgages as they seek to put homes on the market amid rising prices. “Over the next six to nine months nationwide foreclosure numbers should start to flat line at consistently historically normal levels,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac. “While it’s important that any remaining foreclosure infection is addressed promptly to keep it from festering, foreclosures are no longer a widespread contagion threatening to derail the housing market’s return to full health.” In Los Angeles County, one in every 3,026 homes was in foreclosure during the month. In the greater Valley, Palmdale again topped the list, with foreclosures in one out of every 398 homes. The other major Antelope Valley city of Lancaster also continued to struggle, with one out of every 403 homes in foreclosure. Other Valley communities with high foreclosure rates include Pacoima, with one in every 528 homes; West Hills, with one in every 576; and Santa Clarita, with one in every 585. Among Valley communities with few foreclosures were Burbank, with one in every 3,171 homes; Sherman Oaks, with one in every 2,779; and Studio City, with one in every 1,394.
