CALIFORNIA STATE – More California properties are entering foreclosure, according to housing data that points to growing financial pressure on some homeowners.
California recorded 21,543 properties with foreclosure filings during the first six months of 2026, an increase of nearly 13% from the same period last year, according to property data company ATTOM’s midyear report. Filings were also about 13% above their first-half 2024 level.
The increase deserves attention. But the numbers also come with an important distinction: a foreclosure filing doesn’t necessarily mean a family has already lost its home.
Thousands of California Properties Affected
ATTOM’s foreclosure figures include default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — different stages of the process.
During the first half of 2026, lenders started foreclosure proceedings on 16,040 California properties. They also completed 2,644 bank repossessions, placing California second behind Texas for that measure.
California’s first-half foreclosure rate was one affected property for every 680 housing units, slightly below the national rate of one in 632. That helps put the state’s substantial raw totals into perspective.
More Recent Figures Show Continued Activity
ATTOM’s August report, released September 17, shows lenders initiated foreclosure proceedings on another 2,565 California properties during that month. California ranked third nationally for foreclosure starts, behind Florida and Texas.
Lenders also repossessed 589 California properties in August, the second-highest state total behind Texas.
Counting all stages, California had 4,450 properties with foreclosure filings in August, or one in every 3,291 housing units. That placed it 15th among states by foreclosure rate.
ATTOM identified Lake, Madera, Sutter and Mendocino as California’s counties with the highest August foreclosure rates. Its summary did not establish a comparable surge in Contra Costa County or individual East Bay cities.
A Sharp National Increase in Repossessions
Across the country, completed bank repossessions rose 42% from August 2025, reaching 5,794 properties. Total properties with foreclosure filings increased 13% over the same period.
Those percentages describe the national market, rather than California alone.
ATTOM CEO Rob Barber said some homeowners continue to face financial challenges, while overall foreclosure volumes remain well below historical norms. The company also reported that national foreclosure starts fell 3% from July to August, even as repossessions increased.
The figures show rising foreclosure activity, but they don’t establish that California is heading into a widespread housing crash.
Where Homeowners Can Find Help
For homeowners struggling with payments, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recommends contacting their lender or mortgage servicer directly to ask about foreclosure prevention options.
HUD also directs borrowers to HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. It cautions that some businesses charge substantial fees for assistance that a lender or approved housing counselor can provide free.
For California homeowners, the increase is a reason to pay attention — and for anyone falling behind, a reason to seek help early.
