According to RealtyTrac, the average amount of time that it currently takes in the state of New York to complete the foreclosure process is 986 days. This time period, which is nearly three years, is the longest of any state in the country and a record high for New York[1]. New Jersey trailed close behind with an average of 974 days and Florida logged in at third-longest with 749 days. Texas, on the other hand, still is foreclosing, on average, in less than three months with an average foreclosure timeline of 86 days.

While prolonged foreclosure timelines may be a welcome respite for homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments, chairman and CEO of RealtyTrac Jim Saccacio warns that ultimately the delay in foreclosures delays the end of the foreclosure crisis[2]. He points out that the longer the crisis continues, the lower home values are likely to fall and the farther underwater home values will plummet. In fact, the declining equity trend will simply exacerbate negotiations between homeowners and banks, he says, creating a cyclic problem that will extend the housing recovery period indefinitely.

Do you agree that delays in foreclosures ultimately just prolong the pain, or do you think that if the timelines get long enough, banks may see benefit to modifying loans or reaching other settlements with struggling property owners?

Thank you for reading the Bryan Ellis Real Estate Letter!

Your comments and questions are welcomed below.



[1] http://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news26916/new-york-properties-take-over-three-years-foreclose-upon

[2] http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimsaccacio/2011/10/07/twin-threat-foreclosure-cycle-doubles-default-amount-increasing/