5 assistance programs for first-time homebuyers in Tennessee

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It’s a long journey through the 440-mile length of Tennessee. That’s why the Volunteer State is divided into three Grand Divisions — East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee — each with a unique personality and real estate market.

 

East Tennessee is square in the Appalachian Mountains and is home to Knoxville and Chattanooga, the state’s third- and fourth-largest cities. The rolling hills of the middle area are anchored by Nashville, Tennessee’s largest city and the capital. The western division slides into the flatlands of the Mississippi River and is home to the inimitable Memphis.

Housing prices have spiked. The median home sales price was up 23.8% in a year to $387,000 in April 2022, according to Redfin. That’s compared with the 15.3% rise in national home prices. Lakeland leads the pack with an eye-popping 86% increase in home prices, followed by Sevierville (60%).

 

Meanwhile Tennessee hasn’t experienced as much of the post-COVID slowdown in home sales as other states. The number of homes for sale dropped by 3.1% year-over-year in April, compared with 9% for the country.

 

That makes the hunt for available properties for first-time homebuyers slightly easier than it is in a lot of other states. Plus, Tennessee offers a robust first-time homeowner assistance program for mortgages and down payments.

Who Is Considered a First-Time Homebuyer in Tennessee?

Like many states, Tennessee follows the federal government’s definition of first-time buyer as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years.

However, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency does not require active-duty military members and veterans to be first-time borrowers to take advantage of its Homeownership for the Brave program.

 

In addition, in several designated counties and targeted areas of the state, Tennessee Housing program borrowers may be repeat homeowners.

 

Recommended: The SoFi Guide to First-Time Home Buying

5 Tennessee Programs for First-Time Homebuyers

First-time homebuyers can find help through the Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s Homeownership for the Brave Home Loan Program. Down payment assistance is also part of the agency’s menu. Here’s a closer look.

1. Great Choice Home Loan Program

This program offers conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA 30-year fixed-rate loans to first-time homebuyers. Interest rates vary based on the market and the mortgage lender. Down payment assistance is available for FHA or USDA loans.

To qualify, borrowers need to make a 3% down payment for conventional loans and a 3.5% down payment for FHA or USDA loans. Income and purchase price limits apply, depending on the county and household size.

 

The housing agency requires a minimum FICO credit score of 640 for everyone on the loan application and completion of a home education course.

2. Homeownership for the Brave

Available to active military service members including the National Guard, reservists with at least 180 days of active-duty service, veterans, military spouses, and surviving spouses, the

First-time homebuyers can find help through the Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s Homeownership for the Brave Home Loan Program. Down payment assistance is also part of the agency’s menu. Here’s a closer look.

 

program offers the Great Choice loans but with an interest rate reduced by one-half of a percentage point.

 

Applicants must have a minimum credit score of 640, meet the same income and purchase price limits as in the Great Choice program, and complete a homebuyer education course if using down payment assistance. They may, though, borrow up to 100% of a home’s purchase price with a loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

Importantly, service members, veterans, and their spouses do not have to be first-time homebuyers to qualify.

3. Great Choice Plus: Help With a Down Payment or Closing Costs

This is Tennessee Housing’s down payment assistance program, to be used with the Great Choice mortgages. There are two options. The deferred option offers a forgivable second mortgage for $6,000 to be used for down payment or closing costs. The loan has a 0% interest rate, and payments are deferred until the end of the 30-year term, at which time the loan is forgiven. If you refinance or sell, the loan is due in full.

The amortizing option provides 6% of the sales price to be used for down payment or closing costs. This second mortgage is repaid in monthly payments over 30 years at an interest rate that is the same as your first mortgage rate.

 

Borrower requirements are the same as they are for the Great Choice Program.

4. Tennessee Mortgage Credit Certificate

Tennessee homebuyers with a mortgage credit certificate can claim a federal tax credit equal to 50% of their annual home loan interest (up to the federal limit of $2,000 per year). Homebuyers may still claim a tax deduction on the rest of their mortgage interest.

5. Local First-Time Homebuyer Programs

Local housing initiatives in urban areas such as Detroit and Grand Rapids offer help with down payments, closing costs, and other assistance for first-time buyers in certain areas.

Recommended: Understanding the Different Types of Mortgage Loans

How to Apply to Tennessee Programs for First-Time Homebuyers

The Tennessee Housing Development Agency website contains clear descriptions and requirements for its mortgage and down payment assistance programs available to first-time homebuyers in the state. The agency does not lend directly, but you can find a list of approved lenders  so you can find and compare interest rates, fees, and other costs. This is particularly important for newbie homebuyers, who may be unfamiliar with the process.

First-time buyers can also find links to approved homebuyer education courses, which are required for participation in most of its programs.

 

Homebuyer education classes can help buyers understand how much mortgage they can afford and what monthly payments they can expect.

 

In addition, the THDA website provides a list of approved Realtors who can help with the house hunt and approved credit counselors who may be able to help potential borrowers who fall below the required credit score of 640 to boost their rating.

Federal Programs for First-Time Homebuyers

Several federal government programs are designed for people who have low credit scores or limited cash for a down payment. Although most of these programs are available to repeat homeowners, like state programs, they can be especially helpful to people who are buying a first home or who haven’t owned a home in several years.

The mortgages are generally for single-family homes, two- to four-unit properties that will be owner occupied, approved condos, townhomes, planned unit developments, and some manufactured homes.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loans

The FHA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), insures mortgages for borrowers with lower credit scores. Homebuyers choose from a list of approved lenders that participate in the program. Loans have competitive interest rates and require a down payment of 3.5% of the purchase price for borrowers with FICO credit scores of 580 or higher. Those with scores as low as 500 must put at least 10% down.

Gift money for the down payment is allowed from certain donors and will be documented in a gift letter for the mortgage.

 

FHA loans always require mortgage insurance: a 1.75% upfront fee and annual premiums for the life of the loan, unless you make a down payment of at least 10%, which allows the removal of mortgage insurance after 11 years. You can learn more about FHA loans  in general and FHA lending limits by area.

Freddie Mac Home Possible Mortgages

Very low- and low-income borrowers may make a 3% down payment on a Home Possible mortgage. These loans allow various sources for down payments, including co-borrowers, family gifts, employer assistance, secondary financing, and sweat equity.

The Home Possible mortgage is for buyers who have a credit score of at least 660.

 

Once you pay 20% of your loan, the Home Possible mortgage insurance will be canceled, which will lower your mortgage payments.

Fannie Mae HomeReady Mortgages

Fannie Mae HomeReady Mortgages allow down payments as low as 3% for low-income borrowers. Applicants generally need a credit score of at least 620; pricing may be better for credit scores of 680 and above. Like the Freddie Mac program, HomeReady loans allow flexibility for down payment financing, such as gifts and grants.

For income limits, a comparison to an FHA loan, and other information, go to this Fannie Mae site.

Fannie Mae Standard 97 LTV Loan

The conventional 97 LTV loan is for first-time homebuyers of any income level who have a credit score of at least 620 and meet debt-to-income criteria. The 97% loan-to-value mortgage requires 3% down. Borrowers can get down payment and closing cost assistance from third-party sources.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Loans

Active-duty members of the military, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses may apply for loans backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans, to buy, build, or improve homes, have lower interest rates than most other mortgages and don’t require a down payment. Most borrowers pay a one-time funding fee that can be rolled into the mortgage.

Native American Veteran Direct Loans (NADLs)

Eligible Native American veterans and their spouses may use these no-down-payment loans to buy, improve, or build a home on federal trust land. Unlike VA loans listed above, the Department of Veterans Affairs is the mortgage lender on NADLs. The VA requires no mortgage insurance, but it does charge a funding fee.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Loans

No down payment is required on these loans to moderate-income borrowers that are guaranteed by the USDA in specified rural areas. Borrowers pay an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee that serves as mortgage insurance.

The USDA also directly issues loans to low- and very low-income people. For loan basics and income and property eligibility, head to this USDA site.

HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Program

This program helps police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and teachers qualify for mortgages in the areas they serve. Borrowers can receive 50% off a home in what HUD calls a “revitalization area.” They must live in the home for at least three years.

Tennessee First-Time Homebuyer Stats for 2022

Here’s a snapshot of the Tennessee experience:

 

  • Median home sale price (in April 2022): $387,000
  • General minimum down payment (3%): $11,610 20%
  • Down payment: $77,400
  • Average credit score: 701
  • Median property tax bill: $1,220, about half the U.S. average
  • Tennessee cost of living: among the 10 states in the country with the lowest cost of living

Nashville, in particular, is hot. The median home price is up 31% in a year, to $465,000, but the average one-bedroom rental will set you back $1,730, up 36% year-over-year.

Financing Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

In addition to federal and state government-sponsored lending programs, there are other financial strategies that may help you become a homeowner. Some examples:

  • Traditional IRA withdrawals. The IRS allows qualifying first-time homebuyers a one-time, penalty-free withdrawal of up to $10,000 from their IRA if the money is used to buy, build, or rebuild a home. The IRS considers anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the past three years a first-time homebuyer. You will still owe income tax on the IRA withdrawal. If you’re married and your spouse has an IRA, they may also make a penalty-free withdrawal of $10,000 to purchase a home. The downside, of course, is that large withdrawals may jeopardize your retirement savings.
  • Roth IRA withdrawals. Because Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax money, the IRS allows tax- and penalty-free withdrawals of contributions for any reason as long as you’ve held the account for five years. You may also withdraw up to $10,000 in earnings from your Roth IRA without paying taxes or penalties if you are a qualifying first-time homebuyer and you have had the account for five years. With accounts held for less than five years, homebuyers will pay income tax on earnings withdrawn.
  • 401(k) loans. If your employer allows borrowing from the 401(k) plan that it sponsors, you may consider taking a loan against the 401(k) account to help finance your home purchase. With most plans, you can borrow up to 50% of your 401(k) balance, up to $50,000, without incurring taxes or penalties. You pay interest on the loan, which is paid into your 401(k) account. You usually have to pay back the loan within five years, but if you’re using the money to buy a house, you may have up to 15 years to repay.
  • State and local down payment assistance programs. Usually offered at the regional or county level, these programs provide flexible second mortgages for first-time buyers looking into how to afford a down payment.
  • The mortgage credit certificate program. First-time homeowners and those who buy in targeted areas can claim a portion of their mortgage interest as a tax credit, up to $2,000. Any additional interest paid can still be used as an itemized deduction. To qualify for the credit, you must be a first-time homebuyer, live in the home, and meet income and purchase price requirements, which vary by state. If you refinance, the credit disappears, and if you sell the house before nine years, you may have to pay some of the tax credit back. There are fees associated with applying for and receiving the mortgage credit certificate that vary by state. Often the savings from the lifetime of the credit can outweigh these fees.
  • Your employer. Your employer may offer access to lower-cost lenders and real estate agents in your area, as well as home buying education courses.
  • Your lender. Always ask your lender about any first-time homebuyer grant or down payment assistance programs available from government, nonprofit, and community organizations in your area.

The Takeaway

Tennessee has a streamlined state program for first-time homebuyers who meet income limits and credit qualifications. Other first-time buyers may opt to look into federally insured or conventional mortgages on their own to unlock the door to homeownership.

FAQ

Should I take first-time homebuyer classes?

Yes! Good information is key to a successful home-buying experience for anyone, but especially for newcomers, who can easily be overwhelmed by the jargon, technicalities, and magnitude of applying for a mortgage and purchasing a home. First-time homebuyer classes can help. Indeed they are required for some government-sponsored loan programs.

Do first-time homebuyers with bad credit qualify for homeownership assistance?

Often they do. Many government and nonprofit homeowner assistance programs are available to people with low credit scores. And often, interest rates and other loan pricing are competitive with those of loans available to borrowers with higher credit scores. That said, almost any lending program has credit qualifications.

Is there a first-time homebuyer tax credit in Tennessee?

Yes. As explained above, homebuyers are allowed a credit for up to 50% of the mortgage interest they pay each year, up to $2,000 a year. Upfront fees apply, but the credit can be taken each year for the life of the loan.

Is there a first-time veteran homebuyer assistance program in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee has a particularly robust program for active military service members and veterans called Homeownership for the Brave. It offers an interest rate discount on a mortgage that can be paired with down payment assistance, if needed. In addition, Tennessee veterans may find options in the federal VA loan programs listed above.

What credit score do I need for first-time homebuyer assistance in Tennessee?

Programs administered by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency require a credit score of 640 or above. To help achieve this goal, the agency provides a list of credit counselors that can help first-time buyers improve their scores. In addition, there are other private, state, and federal loan programs that borrowers with lower scores may be able to access.

What is the average age of first-time homebuyers in Tennessee?

The Tennessee age is hard to pin down, but the average age nationally is 33, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Learn More:

This article originally appeared on SoFi.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

 

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Home foreclosure rates are on the rise in these states

 

While foreclosures are down overall compared to June, a number of states saw an increase in foreclosure starts in July. This is likely due to these states needing to play catch-up as they begin to process foreclosures on loans that were delinquent prior to the pandemic. The overall rate of foreclosure filings decreased by a little over 4% between June and July, which is either a typical Q3 seasonal drop or an indicator that foreclosure starts are beginning to fall off, as the experts at ATTOM Data Solutions have been predicting.

 

The number of U.S. properties with foreclosure filings in July was 30,358, according to ATTOM Data Solutions. This is up over 143% from a year ago when foreclosures were at historic lows due to federal government and mortgage servicing industry pandemic protections.

 

As the median home sale price cooled a bit from its record high in June of $413,800 to $403,800 in July, sales of existing homes also slowed for the sixth consecutive month, most likely due to mortgage rates rising as high as 6%.

 

However, higher mortgage rates notwithstanding, the median sales price for a home is still close to 11% higher than a year ago, partly as a result of ongoing tight inventory. This is making home ownership unaffordable for many, as wage gains – especially for low and middle-income level workers – are unable to keep pace with home price increases.

 

Read on for the foreclosure rates in July 2022 – plus the five counties with the highest rates within those states.

 

Related: The safest cities in the US

 

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As noted, foreclosure rates are down from last month, but up significantly compared to last year. Read on for July foreclosure rates for all 50 states — plus the District of Columbia — beginning with the state that had the lowest rate of foreclosure filings per housing unit.

 

 

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Ranking in population between Vermont and Alaska, the country’s 49th and 48th least populated states, Washington, D.C. had 16 foreclosures in June. With a total of 350,364 housing units, Washington, D.C.’s foreclosure rate was one in every 21,898 households, putting it in between the states of North Dakota (#48) and West Virginia (#47).

 

 

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South Dakota nabbed the 50th spot in July once again. Having 389,921 total housing units, the fifth least populated state had a foreclosure rate of one in every 55,703 households with seven foreclosures. Only four counties saw foreclosures. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Butte, Codington, Minnehaha, and Pennington.

 

 

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In 49th place for population, Vermont claimed the 49th spot for its foreclosure rate. Of Vermont’s 334,318 housing units, seven homes went into foreclosure at a rate of one in every 47,760 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Grand Isle, Rutland, Addison, Bennington, and Washington.

 

 

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North Dakota’s foreclosure rate was one in every 20,591 homes for the second month in a row. That puts the fourth least populated state – with 370,642 housing units and 18 foreclosures — in 48th place. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Morton, Pembina, Ward, Stark, and Cass.

 

 

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The 39th most populated state, West Virginia, ranked 47th once again. It has 855,635 homes, of which 51 went into foreclosure. That means the foreclosure rate was one in every 16,777 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Tyler, Cabell, Wayne, Marion, and Wetzel.

 

 

 

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The 44th most populated state took the 46th spot. With 33 foreclosures out of 514,803 housing units, its foreclosure rate was one in every 15,600 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Mineral, Dawson, Powell, Roosevelt, and ​​Big Horn.

 

 

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Ranked 13th for most populated state, Washington came in 45th place again for highest foreclosure rate. It has 3,202,241 housing units, of which 231 went into foreclosure, making the state’s foreclosure rate one in every 13,863 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Grays Harbor, Lincoln, Skamania, San Juan, and Island.

 

 

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With a total 1,994,323 housing units, Kentucky saw 158 homes go into foreclosure. That put the foreclosure rate for the 26th most populated state at one in every 12,622 households and in 44th place for the second month in a row. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Greenup, Hardin, Hancock, Martin, and Estill.

 

 

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Kansas took the 43rd spot. With 1,275,689 homes and a total of 110 housing units going into foreclosure, the 35th most-populated state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 11,597 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Sumner, Stevens, Brown, Geary, and Mcpherson.

 

 

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The eighth least populated state took the 42nd spot for highest foreclosure rate. A total of 43 homes went into foreclosure out of 483,474 total housing units, making the foreclosure rate for the Ocean State one in every 11,244 households. Only four counties saw foreclosures. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Newport, Providence, Kent, and Washington.

 

 

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The 38th most populated state, Idaho had 67 homes go into foreclosure. With 751,859 total housing units, the state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 11,222 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Payette, Shoshone, Benewah, Boundary, and Bonneville.

 

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Ranked 33rd for most populated state, Arkansas took the 40th spot for highest foreclosure rate. It has 1,365,265 housing units, of which 126 went into foreclosure, making the state’s latest foreclosure rate one in every 10,835 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Bradley, Ouachita, Crittenden, Lee, and White.

 

 

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The 27th most populated state ranked 39th for highest foreclosure rate. Of Oregon’s 1,813,747 homes, 191 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 9,496 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Lake, Columbia, Linn, Morrow, and Douglas.

 

 

 

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In Tennessee, the 16th most populated state, there were 350 foreclosures out of 3,031,605 housing units. That put the foreclosure rate at one in every 8,662 homes and in the 38th spot once again. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Roane, Haywood, Grundy, Polk, and Cheatham.

 

 

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With 325 foreclosures out of 2,727,726 total housing units, Wisconsin, the 20th most populated state, had a foreclosure rate of one in every 8,393 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Ashland, Marinette, Walworth, Juneau, and Langlade.

 

 

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Alaska saw 38 foreclosures, making the foreclosure rate one in every 8,356 homes. That caused the third least populated state, with a total of 317,524 housing units, to take the 36th spot. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Matanuska-Susitna, Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks North Star, and Kenai Peninsula.

 

 

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In Mississippi, the 34th most populated state, there were 159 foreclosures out of 1,319,945 housing units. That put the foreclosure rate at one in every 8,302 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Clay, Jefferson, Prentiss, Claiborne, and Harrison.

 

 

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The 12th most populated state ranked 34th for highest foreclosure rate, with 443 homes going into foreclosure. Having 3,618,247 total housing units, the state saw a foreclosure rate of one in every 8,168 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Norton City, Hopewell City, Nottoway, Lexington City, and Gloucester.

 

 

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The 41st most populated state, New Hampshire, ranked 33rd for highest foreclosure rate. Of 638,795 homes, 80 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 7,985 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Strafford, Rockingham, Cheshire, Grafton, and Sullivan.

 

 

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The 36th most populated state took the 32nd spot for highest foreclosure rate. Of its 940,859 homes, 130 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 7,237 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Torrance, Socorro, Otero, Valencia and Bernalillo.

 

 

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The 19th most populated state, Missouri came in 31st for highest rate of foreclosures. Of its 2,786,621 homes, 387 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 7,201 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Webster, Phelps, Henry, Sullivan, and Scott.

 

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The 15th most populated state ranked 30th for highest foreclosure rate. Of Massachusetts’ 2,998,537 housing units, 462 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,490 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Berkshire, Hampden, Plymouth, Worcester, and Franklin.

 

 

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Ranked the least populated state in the country, Wyoming claimed the 29th spot for highest foreclosure rate. With 271,887 housing units, of which 42 went into foreclosure, the state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 6,474 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Carbon, Campbell, Washakie, Lincoln, and Crook.

 

 

 

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Ranked 37th for population, Nebraska claimed the 28th spot with a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,445 homes. With a total 844,278 housing units, the state had 131 foreclosure filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Dundy, Morrill, Hamilton, Burt, and Webster.

 

 

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Utah placed 27th for highest foreclosure rate. Of the Beehive State’s 1,151,414 housing units, 180 homes went into foreclosure, making the 30th most-populated state’s foreclosure rate one in every 6,397 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Sevier, Box Elder, Juab, Duchesne, and Tooele.

 

 

 

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Ranked 22nd for most populated state, Minnesota took the 26th spot for highest foreclosure rate. It has 2,485,558 housing units, of which 390 went into foreclosure, making the state’s foreclosure rate one in every 6,373 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Isanti, Chisago, Mille Lacs, Faribault, and Morrison.

 

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Pennsylvania had the 25th highest foreclosure rate once again. The fifth most populated state had a total of 907 housing units out of 5,742,828 homes go into foreclosure, making the state’s foreclosure rate one in every 6,332 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Delaware, Venango, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and Greene.

 

 

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In Arizona, the 14th most populated state, there were 489 foreclosures out of 3,082,000 housing units. That put the foreclosure rate at one in every 6,303 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Graham, Yuma, Cochise, Pinal, and Pima.

 

 

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The 21st most populated state ranked 23rd for highest foreclosure rate. Of Colorado’s 2,491,404 housing units, 402 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,198 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Lake, Elbert, Moffat, Morgan, and Otero.

 

 

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Oklahoma claimed the 22nd spot. With housing units totaling 1,746,807, the 28th most populated state saw 326 homes go into foreclosure at a rate of one in every 5,358 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Washita, Harmon, Kingfisher, Canadian, and Ottawa.

 

 

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The ninth most populated state took 21st place for highest foreclosure rate. Out of 4,708,710 homes, 902 went into foreclosure. That put the Tar Heel State’s foreclosure rate at one in every 5,220 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Camden, Gates, Cumberland, Pasquotank, and Columbus.

 

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Ranked as the ninth least populated state, Maine placed 20th for highest foreclosure rate. With a total of 739,072 housing units, the Pine Tree State saw 143 foreclosures for a foreclosure rate of one in every 5,168 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Somerset, Aroostook, Washington, Piscataquis, and Waldo.

 

 

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The Lone Star State saw 2,254 foreclosures. With a foreclosure rate of one in every 5142 households, this put the second most populous state with 11,589,324 housing units into the 19th spot. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Liberty, Cochran, Carson, Reagan, and Freestone.

 

 

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With 1,654 out of a total 8,488,066 housing units going into foreclosure, the fourth most populated state took the 18th spot. New York’s foreclosure rate was one in every 5,132 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Schoharie, Suffolk, Washington, Nassau, and Orleans.

 

 

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Ranked 25th for population, Louisiana took the 17th spot, with 406 homes out of a total of 2,073,200 housing units going into foreclosure. That means Louisiana had a foreclosure rate of one in every 5,106 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): West Baton Rouge, Tangipahoa, Lafayette, Iberville, and Beauregard.

 

 

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The 40th most populated state, Hawaii, came in 16th for highest foreclosure rate. Of 561,066 homes, 115 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 4,879 households. Only four counties in the state had foreclosures. They were (from highest to lowest): Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and, Kauai.

 

 

 

Art Wager

 

The eighth most populated state, Georgia ranked 15th for highest foreclosure rate. Of its 4,410,956 homes, 932 were foreclosed on. That put the state’s foreclosure rate at one in every 4,733 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Wayne, Glascock, Wilkinson, Long, and Madison.

 

 

SeanPavonePhoto

 

Ranked 24th for most populated, Alabama came in 14th for highest foreclosure rate. Of its 2,288,330 homes, 503 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 4,549 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Conecuh, Bullock, Jefferson, Mobile, and Calhoun.

 

 

James Deitsch

 

The country’s most populated state ranked 13th for highest foreclosure rate. Of its 14,392,140 housing units, 3,492 went into foreclosure, making California’s foreclosure rate one in every 4,121 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Trinity, Yuba, Siskiyou, Kern, and Calaveras.

 

 

mlauffen

 

Iowa had the 12th highest foreclosure rate. With 358 housing units out of 1,412,789 homes going into foreclosure, the 31st most populated state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 3,946 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Monroe, Lucas, Greene, Osceola, and Keokuk.

 

 

JoeChristensen

 

Ranking 10th in population, Michigan took the 11th spot with a foreclosure rate of one in every 3,677 homes. With a total of 4,570,173 housing units, the state had 1,243 foreclosure filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Shiawassee, Bay, Calhoun, Muskegon, and Genesee.

 

Recommended: Your 2022 Guide to All Things Home

 

haveseen

 

With 432 of its 1,530,197 homes going into foreclosure, Connecticut had the 10th highest foreclosure rate at one in every 3,542 households. In the 29th most populated state, the counties that had the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Windham, New Haven, Fairfield, Litchfield, and Hartford.

 

 

traveler1116

 

The 17th largest state by population, Indiana took the ninth spot with a foreclosure rate of one in every 3,348 homes. Of its 2,923,175 homes, 873 homes were foreclosed on in July. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Clinton, Pulaski, Vermillion, Howard, and Madison.

 

 

f11photo

 

The third most populated state in the country has a total of 9,865,350 housing units, of which 3,001 went into foreclosure. The state’s foreclosure rate is one in every 3,287 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Taylor, Escambia, Polk, Broward, and Okeechobee.

 

 

Elisa.rolle

 

The third most populated state in the country has a total of 9,865,350 housing units, of which 3,429 went into foreclosure. The state’s foreclosure rate is one in every 2,877 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Gadsden, Gilchrist, Osceola, Santa Rosa, and Pasco.

 

 

dypics

 

Ranked 18th for most populated state, Maryland took sixth place for highest foreclosure rate. With a total of 2,530,844 housing units, of which 826 housing units went into foreclosure, the state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 3,064 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Charles, Allegany, Queen Anne’s County, Baltimore City, and Caroline.

 

 

James_Lane

 

With one in every 2,976 homes going into foreclosure, South Carolina took the fifth spot once again. Ranked 23rd for population, South Carolina has 2,344,963 housing units and saw 788 foreclosure filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Kershaw, Fairfield, Orangeburg, Richland, and Barnwell.

 

 

SeanPavonePhoto

 

Ranking 32nd in population, Nevada took the fourth spot for foreclosure rate for the second month in a row. With one in every 2,609 homes going into foreclosure, and a total of 1,281,018 housing units, the state had 491 foreclosure filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): White Pine, Humboldt, Lander, Clark, and Pershing.

 

 

AlizadaStudios

 

With a foreclosure rate of one in every 2,564 homes, New Jersey placed third for highest foreclosure rate. The 11th most populated state has 3,761,229 housing units, of which 1,467 went into foreclosure. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Salem, Sussex, Cumberland, Warren, and Gloucester.

 

 

Ultima_Gaina / istockphoto

 

Illinois slipped from first to second place in July. Of its 5,426,429 homes, 2,325 went into foreclosure, making the sixth most populated state’s foreclosure rate one in every 2,334. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Mason, Macoupin, Rock Island, Will, and Edgar.

 

 

ibsky

 

The sixth least populated state in the country, Delaware nabbed the top spot for highest foreclosure rate. With one in every 2,127 homes going into foreclosure and a total 448,735 housing units, Delaware saw a total of 211 foreclosure filings. With only three counties in the state, the most foreclosures per housing unit were in (from highest to lowest): Kent, New Castle, and Sussex.

 

 

mdgmorris

 

Of all 50 states, California had the most foreclosure filings (3,492); South Dakota had the least (7). As for the states with the highest foreclosure rates, Delaware, Illinois, and New Jersey took the top three spots, respectively.

 

Two regions – The Great Lakes and the Mideast – tied for having the largest presence among the 10 states that ranked the highest for foreclosure rates. The states in the Great Lakes region were (from highest to lowest): Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. The states in the Mideast region were (from highest to lowest): Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland.

 

The Plains region had the largest presence among the 10 states that ranked the lowest for foreclosure rates. The states were (from highest to lowest): Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

 

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This article originally appeared on SoFi.comand was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

 

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