After a brief spike in August, foreclosure filings across the Tri-Cities eased slightly in September – but they remain noticeably higher than during the first half of the year. That mirrors a national pattern analysts at ATTOM are tracking. ATTOM is a leading source of real estate data.

Local foreclosures for the third quarter (120 failings) are 53.8% higher than in the third quarter of last year. Nationwide, the quarterly increase is 17% from the third quarter of last year, they’re early indicators that a bit more financial strain may be creeping into the housing market.

“In 2025, we’ve seen a consistent pattern of foreclosure activity trending higher, with both starts and completions posting year-over-year increases for consecutive quarters,” said Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM. “While these figures remain within a historically reasonable range, the persistence of this trend could be an early indicator of emerging borrower strain in some areas.”

According to ATTOM’s September Foreclosure Market Report, there were 39 filings across the Tri-Cities last month. That’s the second-highest monthly total of the year and a striking 62% increase compared with September 2024.

The uptick reflects broader economic pressures weighing on many households. Years of cumulative inflation, coupled with a cooling job market, are stretching budgets and leaving some homeowners vulnerable. Even so, the region’s strong home-equity gains over the past several years continue to act as a buffer, keeping most owners well above water.

For now, both the local foreclosure rate and the share of mortgages that are seriously underwater remain near historic lows. But the steady upward drift in filings is a trend worth watching –  a subtle but important signal that financial stress is starting to rise just beneath the surface.

Categories: REAL ESTATE