First Mortgage Severe Delinquencies Reach Five-Year Low
Decrease More Than 27% Year-Over-Year
ATLANTA, Aug. 1, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the latest Equifax (NYSE:EFX) National Consumer Credit Trends Report, the total balance of severely delinquent first mortgages (90 days past due or in foreclosure) in June 2013 is $325 billion, a five-year low and a decrease of more than 27% from same time a year ago ($450 billion).
The total balance of first-mortgage loans that completed the foreclosure process and transitioned to bank-owned property or other severe derogatory status decreased more than 19%, from $16.7 billion in June 2012 to $13.5 billion in June 2013. This is the lowest level for June since 2007.
"Rising home values are reducing the incentives for homeowners to default on their mortgage loans, resulting in more and more homeowners transitioning into positive or near-positive equity territory," said Equifax Chief Economist Amy Crews Cutts. "The implications of this trend are that more homeowners will be able to sell their homes without the hassles of negotiating a short sale or move to take a new job without worrying how they can afford to pay for two homes. The healing in the housing market is really gaining momentum and will fuel a stronger pace of economic recovery."
Other highlights include:
- Of total severely delinquent first mortgage balances, loans opened 2010 and later represent only 7% ($21.7 billion).
- The total balance of first mortgages in foreclosure in June 2013 is $105 billion, a five-year low and a decrease of 38% from same time a year ago.
- In June 2013, the total balance of severely delinquent home equity revolving loans (including foreclosures) is $8.8 billion, a five year low and a year-over-year decrease of more than 31%.
- In that same time, the total balance of severely delinquent home equity installment loans (including foreclosures) is $4.3 billion, a five-year low and a year-over-year decrease of more than 28%.
About Equifax, Inc.
Equifax is a global leader in consumer, commercial and workforce information solutions that provide businesses of all sizes and consumers with insight and information they can trust. Equifax organizes and assimilates data on more than 500 million consumers and 81 million businesses worldwide, and uses advanced analytics and proprietary technology to create and deliver customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Equifax operates or has investments in 18 countries and is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500® Index. Its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX. In 2013, Equifax was named a Bloomberg BusinessWeek Top 50 company, was #3 in Fortune's Most Admired list in its category, and was named to InfoWeek 500 as well as the Fintech 100. For more information, please visit www.equifax.com.
CONTACT: For More Information:
Demitra Wilson
(404) 885-8907
Demitra.Wilson@equifax.com
Released August 1, 2013