Westchester foreclosures break record

Foreclosure filings in Westchester County last year hit 3,113 ”“ a 41 percent increase over the number filed in 2008.

In addition, there were 353 filings in the last quarter of 2009, more than four times as many as they were during the same quarter of 2008 when 76 filings were recorded, according to the county clerk”™s office. There were 2,206 filings recorded for all of 2008.

County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni said there was encouraging news. There were 63 judgments resulting in foreclosure for the last quarter of 2009 compared with 92 in 2008.

Judgments were also significantly lower for the year, Idoni said, with 732 compared with 1,033 in 2008.

“While judgments were down in 2009, the troubling rise in commencements of foreclosures is a clear indicator that more at-risk Westchester homeowners need to start now to pursue efforts to avoid losing their homes,” Idoni said.

“Westchester homeowners need to know that commencement of a foreclosure action or filing does not mean that their home will ultimately be lost to foreclosure, especially if they get help,” he said. “If you are at risk of foreclosure, seek help immediately.”