The number of foreclosure filings reported in the U.S. last month more than doubled versus August 2006 and jumped 36 percent from July, a trend that signals many homeowners are increasingly unable to make timely payments on their mortgages or sell their homes amid a national housing slump.<\/p>\n
A total of 243,947 foreclosure filings were reported in August, up 115 percent from 113,300 in the same month a year ago, Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac Inc. said Tuesday.<\/p>\n
There were 179,599 foreclosure filings reported in July.<\/p>\n
The filings include default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions. Some properties might have received more than one notice if the owners have multiple mortgages.<\/p>\n
August’s total represents the highest number of foreclosure filings reported in a single month since the company began tracking monthly filings two years ago.<\/p>\n