Local foreclosure rates higher than state, nation

[DEVELOPING] Regional foreclosure filings surged 63% in 2009, triple that of California and the nation, as more area homeowners struggled to make mortgage payments, according to a widely cited real estate report released Thursday.

The 3,325 foreclosure filings in Glendale, Burbank, La Crescenta, Montrose and La Cañada Flintridge were up from a total of 2,044 in 2008, according to data prepared for the Glendale News-Press by real estate tracking firm RealtyTrac.

Statewide, foreclosure filings jumped 21% in 2009, and national figures reflected a 21% increase from the year before, the Irvine-based firm reported.

The jump in regional figures was led by a more than two-fold increase in La Crescenta filings, including notices of default, trustee sales and foreclosure.

A total of 412 La Crescenta homes received one or more notices in 2009, up from 188 the year prior, according to RealtyTrac.

The next highest increase was in La Cañada Flintridge, where total filings jumped 90%, according to the data.

Glendale filings grew by 58%, and in Burbank, 52% more homes received notices last year than in 2008, according to the report.