Auction.com has unveiled its 2025 Distressed Market Outlook, projecting a potential 8% decrease in foreclosure auction volume for the upcoming year. This baseline scenario is complemented by two alternative forecasts which could see an increase in auction volumes based on differing economic conditions.


Jason Allnutt, CEO at Auction.com, highlighted the importance of their platform, stating, “The Auction.com marketplace provides rich, real-time data on supply, demand, and pricing for distressed properties sold at auction nationwide.” This data is crucial for forecasting trends in the retail housing market.


The report indicates that foreclosure auction volumes are set to hit a three-year low in 2024. This decline is attributed to increased market headwinds, such as rising retail inventory and persistently high mortgage rates, which have impacted local community developers.


Auction buyers have shown a decreased willingness to pay prices relative to the after-repair value of properties towards the end of 2024. However, signs of recovery were evident in November and December, as price demands began to climb.


Evolution of default loan

Foreclosure Auction Supply

Completed foreclosure auction volume in Q4 of 2024 decreased by 3% from Q3 and was down 11% from the previous year, reaching its lowest since Q3 of 2021. Auction.com data, which represents nearly half of all completed foreclosure auctions nationwide, shows a 42% decrease from Q1 2020 levels.


Auction supply graph

REO Auction Supply

Bank-owned (REO) auction volume in Q4 of 2024 saw a 3% increase from Q3 and remained stable compared to the previous year. This volume is at 39% of Q1 2020 levels, marking a slight increase from earlier quarters.


Reo auction supply graph

Distressed Market Waterfall

The volume of distressed loans upstream from completed foreclosure auctions shifted in Q3 of 2024, with seriously delinquent mortgages rising by 10% from the previous quarter. Despite this, foreclosure inventory remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels.


Distressed market graph

Ali Haralson, President of Auction.com, noted, “While the number of distressed homeowners has returned to pre-pandemic levels, many are avoiding foreclosure thanks to ample home equity that allows them to sell through a pre-foreclosure sale.”


2025 Foreclosure Outlook

Daren Blomquist, VP of Market Economics at Auction.com, stated, “Emerging risks in the economy and housing market are pushing delinquencies higher, but those higher delinquencies will not likely translate into higher foreclosure auction volume until at least early 2026.”


The report uses a regression-based model with home price appreciation and unemployment rates as primary inputs. It predicts a baseline 8% decrease in foreclosure auction volume for 2025. However, changes in these economic indicators could lead to varying outcomes.


For further insights, the full 2025 Distressed Market Outlook is available for review.


This article is based on information from themortgagepoint.com, published one month ago.

More Articles

Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!

Why Today’s High Mortgage Rates Matter More Than Ever for the Housing Market

A growing share of American homeowners now carry mortgage rates above 5%—a dramatic shift that’s reshaping refinancing, inventory, and buyer behavior nationwide. With more than 30% of borrowers locked into rates over 5% and 20% above 6%, the market is split between owners holding on to low pandemic‑era loans and new buyers taking on higher‑rate mortgages. Federal efforts to push rates down could unlock millions of refinancing opportunities, while buyers see only modest monthly savings. For real estate professionals, understanding these rate dynamics is crucial as they increasingly drive inventory levels, affordability, and market activity.

CRE Deal Volume Dips in December, but Office Sector Stages an Unexpected Comeback

New Moody’s data shows commercial real estate deal volume slipped 20% in December, marking a second monthly decline. Yet the full year tells a different story: 2025 ended with a 17% gain, signaling a quiet but resilient recovery. The biggest surprise came from the office sector, which posted a 21% jump in activity as return‑to‑office trends and AI‑driven job growth boosted demand. Multifamily, retail, and alternative assets like data centers also saw strong momentum, giving real estate professionals a market full of fresh opportunities heading into 2026.

Florida Kicks Off 2026 With Major Auto Insurance Rate Cuts and Market Stability

Florida drivers and industry professionals are heading into 2026 with good news: auto insurance rates are dropping across the state as the market shows strong signs of stabilization. USAA leads the latest wave with a 7% average rate decrease expected in May 2026, saving members more than $125 million annually. They join several major insurers — including State Farm, Progressive, AAA, Allstate, and Florida Farm Bureau — all approving significant reductions. Officials credit recent legislative reforms, especially tort reform, for the improved loss ratios and renewed insurer confidence. With both auto and home insurance markets strengthening, Florida’s real estate, mortgage, and insurance professionals can expect more consumer confidence, smoother transactions, and expanding career opportunities.

The 2024 Housing Shortage: Why America Is Still 1.2 Million Homes Behind

New data from Eye On Housing and the NAHB shows the U.S. remains short more than 1.2 million housing units, keeping pressure on both rents and home prices. Record‑low vacancy rates, slow single‑family construction, and restrictive zoning continue to fuel intense competition in 2024. Major metros like Chicago, New York, and Atlanta face some of the deepest deficits, and the true nationwide shortfall may be even higher when accounting for overcrowding and aging homes. For real estate professionals, the ongoing shortage means sustained demand, tighter inventory, and major opportunities for those who understand the evolving market.

AI Isn’t the Shiny Object Anymore — It’s the New System Driving Real Estate Success

Top real estate coach Jason Pantana says the divide between agents today isn’t about who has “tried” AI — it’s about who is immersed in it. In a new HousingWire interview, he explains why AI isn’t a gimmick but a full business system that amplifies output, improves authenticity, and reshapes how clients search for agents. From prompt mastery to AI‑driven visibility on Google, Pantana reveals how agents who commit even 15 minutes a day to learning AI are already outperforming those who hesitate.

DFW Commercial Real Estate 2025: Industrial Surges, Retail Shines, Office Struggles

Dallas–Fort Worth’s commercial real estate market closed 2025 with a split personality. Industrial dominated with massive new deliveries and soaring leasing demand, retail held steady with some of the market’s strongest fundamentals in years, and office continued to falter under remote‑work pressures. High vacancies, weak absorption, and rising demand for top‑tier space show the sector’s ongoing reset. Meanwhile, industrial and retail strength position the Metroplex for another powerhouse year heading into 2026.