Foreclosures Down in Easton and State in April

Easton's foreclosure petitions fell sharply, from 13 to two, for the month of April, according to real estate data released this week.

The data, compiled by real estate information firm The Warren Group, showed foreclosure deeds, which represent completed foreclosures, see a drop, from five to zero from April 2010 to April 2011 in addition to the fall of foreclosure petitions.

Statewide, foreclosure petitions fell year-over-year, from 2,431 last year to 1,192 in April. That total, though, represents the highest figure thus far this year.

Foreclosure deeds fell in the state by more than 62 percent, from 1,375 to 518 over the same time period.

Timothy Warren, the CEO of the group, said the lower foreclosure numbers are likely the result of additional caution by lenders.

“This brief downturn should not sway us from the reality that the foreclosure crisis is not over, and we are likely to see more activity work its way through the system,” he said in a statement. “The increase in petitions from March to April shows that foreclosure activity has picked up a bit again, and we are likely to see increases in the coming months.”

Here are the foreclosure statistics for area towns:

• In Dover, foreclosure petitions remained steady at zero for April. Foreclosure deeds fell from one last year to zero last month.
• Foxborough saw its foreclosure petitions fall from five to one, while deeds decreased from four to one.
• In Mansfield, foreclosure petitions dropped from 10 to two for April. Foreclosure deeds fell from six to two.
• Medfield saw a decline in its April foreclosure petitions, from two to one, while deeds remained steady at zero.
• Norfolk's foreclosure petitions fell form two to one, and foreclosure deeds were at zero from last April to last month.
• Norton foreclosure petitions dropped from nine to five, while deeds declined from five to zero.
• Norwood saw a fall in its foreclosure petitions, from six to two. Deeds fell from three to zero.
• Plainville's foreclosure petitions jumped from one to three, while deeds were steady at zero.
• Sharon saw its foreclosure petitions fall precipitously, from six to zero. Deeds jumped from zero to three.
• Stoughton's foreclosure petitions fell from 15 to seven in April, with deeds remaining steady at four.
• In Wrentham, foreclosure deeds increased from one in April 2010 to three last month. Foreclosure petitions fell from three last year to one last month.