Foreclosures Are Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels Here’s What Most Agents Won’t Tell You
Michael Peron AI Certified Agent | Certified Foreclosure & Probate Specialist
There’s a lot of noise in the media lately about rising foreclosures and an impending housing crash. But let me be crystal clear—the current foreclosure situation is nothing like 2008, and most of what you’re hearing is hype, not reality. Yes, foreclosure activity has increased slightly year-over-year, but we are still far from the levels we saw before COVID rocked the economy.
So what’s really happening?
According to the latest data from ATTOM, foreclosure filings in April 2025 were up around 8% compared to the same time last year. That might sound like a red flag until you realize that we’re still operating well below historical norms. Foreclosure volume hasn’t rebounded to pre-pandemic levels—and it might not for a while. Why? Because this market is built differently.
The typical homeowner today isn’t underwater. In fact, most owners have significant equity built up, thanks to the double-digit home appreciation we’ve seen over the last few years. This equity acts like a life raft. Even if a borrower falls behind on payments, they’re not trapped like they were back in the crash era. Instead of facing a foreclosure auction, many are choosing to list and sell before the bank ever steps in. That’s a key reason why we’re not seeing distressed property numbers spike the way some alarmists predicted.
It’s also important to understand how lenders are responding to delinquency in this new landscape. Today’s servicers aren’t rushing to foreclose. They’re working with borrowers behind the scenes—offering forbearances, loan modifications, short payoffs, and alternatives to foreclosure. It’s a smarter strategy for them and a much better outcome for homeowners who just need a little breathing room.
But don’t get it twisted—there are still foreclosures happening. We are seeing distressed properties hit the market, particularly older FHA-backed loans or homeowners who’ve been in default for an extended period. However, they’re coming in a slow drip, not a flood. And when they do become available, the competition is fierce. Investors, flippers, and savvy buyers with financing in place are jumping all over these deals before they’re even fully marketed.
In South Florida, especially across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, I’m seeing this play out every week. Inventory remains tight, and even distressed homes are commanding multiple offers in many areas. A lot of what’s moving fast are off-market or whisper-list opportunities—stuff the general public never sees because it gets scooped up by insiders with the right agent and access. That’s where I come in.
As a Certified Foreclosure Specialist and AI Certified Agent, I don’t just wait for listings to hit Zillow. I use predictive analytics, machine learning, and proprietary data tools to track down pre-foreclosure leads, auction notices, REO filings, and distressed seller behavior before the average agent has a clue it exists. My clients get early alerts on properties they can buy at a discount, with full transparency, and often with lender incentives on the table. That’s the kind of edge you need if you want to win in this market.
This isn’t about doom and gloom. This is about strategy. Whether you're a buyer looking to land your first home below market value, a seasoned investor hunting your next flip, or a seller facing financial pressure and looking for a dignified exit, there are massive opportunities in the current foreclosure environment—but only if you know how to find them and act fast.
What I’m seeing is this: buyers who come prepared and sellers who work with a proactive, tech-savvy agent are getting results. The people who wait? They’re missing the window. And if the Fed starts easing rates later this year—as many economists expect—you can expect even more buyer demand to return, pushing prices higher and making these rare foreclosure deals even harder to come by.
If you’ve been waiting on the sidelines, thinking a crash is coming and you’ll scoop up a bunch of bank-owned bargains, you’re going to be disappointed. The time to act is now, while competition is still moderate and inventory has a few distressed gems buried in the mix.
Don’t fall for the clickbait headlines. The real story is that this market is complex, fast-moving, and full of potential for those who are ready. But success isn’t about luck—it’s about timing, strategy, and having the right person in your corner who knows exactly how to navigate the foreclosure landscape.
That’s where I step in. With my tech-driven approach, deep understanding of distressed property sales, and boots-on-the-ground insight across South Florida, I help clients identify, negotiate, and close on opportunities most agents can’t even see coming.
Want in? Let’s talk.
You can reach me at 954.779.6106 or shoot me a message at mike@michaelperon.com. Visit AmazingDavieHomes.com to see what’s currently available, and be sure to ask about my off-market foreclosure list—updated weekly and exclusive to my network.
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