Number of Completed Foreclosures Rises in Medfield

Foreclosure activity for Medfield showed mixed results as petitions are down in January 2011 compared to 2010, but completed foreclosures are up, according to data released earlier this month.

The information, compiled by real estate information firm The Warren Group, showed the town had two foreclosure deeds (which represent completed foreclosures) in 2011, up from zero it had the same time in 2010. Medfield did show zero foreclosure petitions (which start the foreclosure process) in the month of January, down from four it had in January 2010.

This trend of decreasing foreclosure petitions is reflected in towns across the state. In Massachusetts, the number of foreclosure petitions dropped by nearly 58 percent (from 1,874 to 793), and deeds dropped by almost 59 percent (from 1,141 to 468) when compared to January 2010.

Vincent Valvo, the group publisher and editor-in-chief of "Banker & Tradesman," cautioned in a statement against attributing too much of the drop to an improved economy.

"Slowing foreclosure activity could be the result of several factors," Valvo said in a statement. "Unfortunately, it's more likely that the reduction is caused by lenders slowing their processes rather than improved financial stability among homeowners."

Here are the foreclosure statistics for area towns:

• In Dover, foreclosure petitions remained steady at one in January. The town had no completed foreclosures during the month, down from two last year.
• Easton saw its foreclosure petitions drop from six last year to two in January. There were no foreclosure deeds issued in either January 2010 or 2011.
• Foxboro's January foreclosure petitions and deeds both fell from three to zero year-over-year.
• Foreclosure petitions in Mansfield dropped from four last year to one in January. Deeds also fell, from three to two year-over-year.
• Foreclosure petitions in Wrentham dropped from five last year to zero in January. Deeds also fell, from one to zero. 

• Norfolk's foreclosure petitions are down for the month, from four to zero. Deeds in town were at zero for both January 2010 and January 2011.
• Norton's foreclosure petitions fell from 10 to three in January, with deeds falling from three to one.
• Norwood saw its foreclosure petitions fall from nine to three in January, with deeds remaining steady at two.
• Plainville foreclosure petitions increased year-over-year, from one to two, with deeds dropping from one to zero.
• Foreclosure petitions in Sharon declined sharply, from five to zero, in January. Deeds also fell, from two to zero.
• Stoughton's foreclosure petitions fell from six to two in January, with deeds decreasing from three to two.