February Foreclosures Up slightly in Mansfield

The number of newly started and completed foreclosures were steady in Wrentham for February, according to data released Wednesday.

The data, compiled by real estate information firm The Warren Group, had Mansfield's foreclosure petitions (which represent new foreclosures) from two to three. No deeds were filed in February 2011 or Feburary 2012.

The state saw a doubling of foreclosure petitions year-over-year, from 694 in February 2011 to 1,394 in February 2012. Foreclosure deeds were up 41 percent, from 521 last year to 736 last month.

Warren Group CEO Timothy Warren Jr. said in a statement that court and legislative activity artificially lowered last February's activity.

"The large year-over-year increase doesn't necessarily indicate another wave of foreclosures," he said. "Foreclosure activity was nearly frozen a year ago, and now it's beginning to thaw again."

Here are the foreclosure statistics for area towns:

• Dover's foreclosure petitions fell in February, from one last year to zero last month. Foreclosure deeds were steady at zero.
• Easton saw a steep rise in foreclosure petitions year-over-year, with two in February 2011 and nine last month. No deeds were filed in either month.
• Foxborough's February foreclosure petitions jumped from one last year to four last month. Deeds were steady at two.
• In Medfield, foreclosure petitions were up from one to two, but deeds were stable at zero.
• Norfolk February foreclosure petitions were steady at one, while deeds climbed from zero to two.
• Norton saw quite a jump in foreclosure petitions, from zero last February to six in February 2012. Deeds, however, fell from one to zero.
• Norwood's February foreclosure petitions were up from three to four, year-over-year. Deeds dropped quite a bid, from six to zero.
• Plainville's February foreclosure petitions were down 75 percent, from four to one, and deeds were stable at zero.
• Sharon saw February foreclosure petitions go up from one to four, and deeds increased from one to two.
• Stoughton had its foreclosure petitions climb from one to four in February. Deeds jumped from zero to five.