Ohio is emerging as a foreclosure hot spot, with activity running higher than the national average, according to a new analysis published by Realtor.com.
More than 38,800 properties across the U.S. had foreclosure filings in February, marking the 12th straight month of year‑over‑year increases, according to ATTOM’s latest Foreclosure Market Report. Nationally, one in every 3,701 housing units had a foreclosure filing in February 2026, down 4% from January but up 20% from a year earlier. However, ATTOM emphasized that despite the increase, foreclosure activity remains well below housing‑crisis levels, signaling a gradual normalization rather than widespread distress.
Foreclosure pressure is rising in Ohio, running above the national average. Here’s what to know.
Ohio shows ‘higher‑than‑normal’ foreclosure rates
While Ohio was not among the five states with the worst foreclosure rates, Realtor.com’s analysis of ATTOM data shows that the state recorded one foreclosure filing for every 2,787 housing units, worse than the national average and points to higher‑than‑normal foreclosure activity.
Ohio came in at No. 6 on the list, behind Illinois and ahead of New Jersey.
State‑level data from ATTOM shows elevated foreclosure activity in several Ohio counties, including Cuyahoga, Highland, Jefferson and Lake counties. “Cost of living and insurance has gotten significantly more expensive overall on top of the stress of housing values in some areas which is making it harder for people to continue to afford these homes,” Cara Ameer, real estate broker, tells Realtor.com.
Homeownership and home sales in Ohio have declined since the early pandemic years, according to a FY 2024 Ohio Housing Needs Assessment. In 2021, 8.4% of Ohio mortgage holders were spending at least half their income on housing, according to the report.
5 states with the worst foreclosure rates
Five states stood out in February for having the nation’s highest foreclosure rates, according to ATTOM data cited by Realtor.com.
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Indiana: one in every 1,597 housing units
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South Carolina: one in every 2,217 units
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Florida: one in every 2,277 units
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Delaware: one in every 2,443 units
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Illinois: one in every 2,590 units
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Realtor.com report shows foreclosure activity up. How did Ohio rank?