Jul. 28--Foreclosed Hays County properties listed for auction on the first Tuesday in August are 71 percent higher than last year and that figure is the highest in the four counties the Foreclosure Listing Service (FLS) classifies as Austin Metro.

According to figures released July 16 by the Addison-based company, 73 properties were listed for foreclosure in August 2008 compared to 125 slated to be auctioned Aug. 4.

"For seven consecutive months, foreclosure postings in Hays County have topped 100 per month," said FLS President George Roddy.

"Year-to-date foreclosure postings surpassed previous levels with 957 notices filed for Hays County foreclosure auctions so far this year," Roddy said. "This marked the first time on record that year-to-date postings have climbed into the 900s in Hays County. Over the last year, Hays County's year-to-date posting activity has jumped 34 percent form the 712 notices recorded by this time last year."

But there was some good news, too. "In Hays County, month-to-month foreclosure posting activity was down 13 percent with 125 foreclosure notices recorded for the Aug. 4 auction compared to this foreclosure cycle's record high of 144 postings for last month's auction," Roddy said.

Also considered part of the Austin Metro area are Travis, Williamson and Bastrop counties.

August foreclosures are 39 percent higher in Travis County than a year ago, 54 percent higher in Williamson and 51 percent higher in Bastrop. For the year to date, Travis postings are 60 percent higher, Williamson, 58 percent higher and Bastrop, 52 percent higher.

Roddy noted regarding Bastrop County that foreclosure postings have dropped to their lowest level in nine months.

Auctions are held on the north side of the Hays County Courthouse beginning at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

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