Foreclosure Starts in U.S. Jumped 69% After Moratorium Ended (1)

U.S. mortgage lenders initiated 69% more foreclosures in August than the prior month, after the expiration of a federal measure that prevented borrowers from losing their homes during the pandemic.

The number of homeowners receiving notices that start the repossession process climbed to 7,100 nationally, the largest number in eight months, according to mortgage information service Black Knight Inc. The increase mostly represents a resumption of foreclosures on properties that faced financial troubles before the pandemic began last year, the firm said.

Despite the monthly jump, the housing market remains healthy, with total mortgage delinquencies falling last month to below ...