Foreclosure activity rose across the United States in August 2026, with Florida, Texas and California recording the most new starts, according to ATTOM data. Nationwide filings were up from both July and a year earlier, while completed foreclosures climbed more sharply. The report said overall activity remained below historical crisis levels.
Key takeaways
The August report showed a broad increase in foreclosure filings, but the state rankings differed depending on whether measured by starts, rates or completed repossessions.
- The U.S. recorded 40,277 properties with foreclosure filings, up 1% month over month and 13% year over year.
- Florida led new foreclosure starts with 3,189, followed by Texas and California.
- Bank repossessions rose 42% year over year to 5,794 properties.
- Nationally, one in every 3,569 housing units had a filing.
Florida leads in new starts
Florida had the most foreclosure starts in August, with 3,189 properties receiving a new filing. Texas followed with 3,126, and California ranked third with 2,565. Illinois and Georgia rounded out the top five, with 1,192 and 1,189 starts, respectively.
A foreclosure start is a new filing that begins the process; it is distinct from a completed foreclosure, when a lender takes possession of a property. The report’s overall total also includes properties receiving default notices or scheduled for auction.
State and metro rates show regional differences
By foreclosure rate per housing unit, South Carolina ranked highest, with one filing for every 1,547 units. Nevada followed at one for every 1,920, and Florida at one for every 2,397. Texas and Maryland also placed among the five states with the highest rates.
Among metro areas with populations of at least 200,000, Columbia, South Carolina, had the highest rate: one filing for every 1,232 housing units. Punta Gorda, Florida, followed at one per 1,249. Spartanburg, South Carolina; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina, also ranked near the top. Some metros moved in the opposite direction: Cleveland recorded 175 starts, down from 281 a year earlier.
Completed foreclosures rise sharply
Lenders repossessed 5,794 properties in August, a 22% increase from July and a 42% rise from August 2025—the steepest annual increase among the report’s foreclosure categories. Texas led in repossessions, with 1,835. Houston accounted for 448, Dallas 402 and San Antonio 256.
California recorded 589 completed foreclosures, followed by North Carolina with 356, Arizona with 296 and Alabama with 286. ATTOM CEO Rob Barber said completed foreclosures had posted a notable annual increase, while emphasizing that total activity remained below historical norms and the housing market showed resilience.