After steadily increasing for 12 consecutive quarters, the national mortgage loan delinquency rate—the ratio of borrowers 60 or more days past due on their mortgage—dipped down to 6.77 percent in the first quarter of this year, according to data released Monday by TransUnion.



This statistic, which is traditionally seen as a precursor to foreclosure, reflects a 1.74 percent decline from the previous quarter’s 6.89 percent average. However, on a year-over-year basis, mortgage borrower delinquency was still up approximately 30 percent from 5.22 percent in the first quarter of 2009.


This statistic, which is traditionally seen as a precursor to foreclosure, reflects a 1.74 percent decline from the previous quarter’s 6.89 percent average. However, on a year-over-year basis, mortgage borrower delinquency was still up approximately 30 percent from 5.22 percent in the first quarter of 2009.

TransUnion said delinquency rates in the first quarter continued to be the highest in Nevada (15.98 percent) and Florida (14.65 percent). And the lowest rates of delinquency were found once again in North Dakota (1.76 percent), South Dakota (2.44 percent), and Nebraska (2.68 percent.)