According to Realty Trac, The US Foreclosure activity is up 75% in 2007. This is a scary number and a scary way to use the statistic. A different way of relaying the same story is that 1.033% of the nations' households is experiencing foreclosure. 1%. Makes you think a little differently, doesn't it.
While the increase in foreclosures is not a pretty story and a very real problem, looking at the numbers a different way can do away with much of the sensationalism, doom and gloom reporting you see everyday. We need more positive news. Foreclosure is affecting a very small percentage of the population. While it is true there has been a 75% increase, looking at the big picture provides a better perspective.
| Rank | State | Total properties with filing | % of total homes |
| 1 | Nevada | 34,417 | 3.376 |
| 2 | Florida | 165,291 | 2.002 |
| 3 | Michigan | 87,210 | 1.947 |
| 4 | California | 249,513 | 1.921 |
| 5 | Colorado | 39,403 | 1.919 |
| 6 | Ohio | 89,979 | 1.797 |
| 7 | Georgia | 59,057 | 1.566 |
| 8 | Arizona | 38,568 | 1.516 |
| 9 | Illinois | 64,310 | 1.25 |
| 10 | Indiana | 27,980 | 1.02 |
| | | |
| 21 | WISCONSIN | 12,133 | .486, LESS than 1% |
Wisconsin is faring considerably better than the nation and many of our midwest neighbors. A really interesting statistic is that Utah, one of the few states that has seen a decrease in foreclosures, still has a higher foreclosure rate than Wisconsin's at .852% of households.
