The metro areas with the highest levels of foreclosure activity in the first quarter of 2009 paint a picture of concentrated problems in a relatively small number of hard hit areas.Sales activity appears to be increasing in some of these markets as home prices have fallen to levels that are attractive to first-time homebuyers and investors. While we expect many of these metro areas to continue to experience high levels of foreclosure activity throughout 2009, we also expect to see other markets rise up the ranks as unemployment rates surge throughout the country.
—James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac

Thirteen of the top 26 metro foreclosure rates were in California,
Nine were in Florida,
Two were in Nevada, and
Two were in Arizona.