South Carolina Posts Nation's Worst Foreclosure Rate for August 2026

ATTOM, the leading provider of property data, AI-powered intelligence, and real estate analytics solutions, today released its August 2026 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows there were a total of 40,277 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions — up 1 percent from a month ago and up 13 percent from a year ago.

"August's data shows that foreclosure activity continues to trend above year-ago levels, particularly in completed foreclosures, which saw a notable annual increase," said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM. "While some homeowners are still facing financial challenges, overall foreclosure volumes remain well below historical norms and the broader housing market continues to demonstrate resilience."

Nationwide, one in every 3,569 housing units had a foreclosure filing in August 2026. South Carolina posted the nation's worst foreclosure rate, with one filing for every 1,547 housing units, followed by Nevada (one in every 1,920 housing units); Florida (one in every 2,397 housing units); Texas (one in every 2,445 housing units); and Maryland (one in every 2,530 housing units).

Among metro areas with populations of at least 200,000, Columbia, South Carolina, posted the nation's worst foreclosure rate in August 2026, with one foreclosure filing for every 1,232 housing units. It was followed by Punta Gorda, Florida (one in every 1,249); Spartanburg, South Carolina (one in every 1,262); Fayetteville, North Carolina (one in every 1,458 housing units); and Charleston, South Carolina (one in every 1,501).

Lenders initiated the foreclosure process on 25,894 U.S. properties in August 2026, down 3 percent from the previous month and up 7 percent from a year ago.

In August 2026, Florida led the nation in foreclosure starts (3,189 foreclosure starts); followed by Texas (3,126 foreclosure starts); California (2,565 foreclosure starts); Illinois (1,192 foreclosure starts); and Georgia (1,189 foreclosure starts).

Contrary to the national trend, among metropolitan areas with a population of at least 200,000 and at least 50 foreclosure starts, the following saw the largest year-over-year declines in foreclosure starts in August 2026: Cleveland, Ohio (decrease from 281 foreclosure starts in August 2025 to 175 in August 2026); Washington D.C. (decrease from 364 to 227 foreclosure starts); Providence, Rhode Island (decrease from 88 to 55 foreclosure starts); Raleigh, North Carolina (decrease from 81 to 57 foreclosure starts); and Kansas City, Missouri (decrease from 104 to 75 foreclosure starts).