November 2012 California foreclosure inventory—the total of Preforeclosures, properties in foreclosure that are Scheduled for Sale, and Bank Owned properties (REO)—fell 7.6 percent from the prior month and is down 31.8 percent compared to last year. While the November decline in inventory is not an unusual event, the significant decline in foreclosure inventory over the past year has contributed to what some are calling an “inventory crisis” of total homes for sale.

The November foreclosure inventory shortage is partially due to the jump in California Foreclosure Cancellations. Cancellations were up 4.7 percent from the prior month, up 69.9 percent in the past two months and up 34.7 percent compared to last year. In taking a closer look at the reason for cancellations, it did not appear the majority were due to statutory time frames or filing errors, but were more likely due to short sales or successful loan modifications.

November 2012 California Notices of Default were down 19.9 percent from the prior month and down 51.5 percent compared to last year. November 2012 California Foreclosure Sales were down 14.8 percent from the prior month and down 30.3 percent compared to last year.

”The policies of ‘extend and pretend’ continue to slow foreclosure activity while ensuring foreclosures will play an important role in our economy for years to come,” said Sean O’Toole, Founder and CEO of Foreclosure Radar. “While we are grateful that the government has extended the relevance of our company, we recognize our customers will need additional tools to be successful in this market. I couldn’t be more excited about what we have coming soon in 2013. Current customers will get it first.”

Source: ForeclosureRadar.com