Massachusetts’ Efforts to Address Foreclosed Properties

Authors

Prabal Chakrabarti, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston 

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April 2, 2009

The growing number of troubled mortgages in New England poses challenges for local communities. As foreclosures mount, so do the number of vacant homes, given that most properties that do not sell at auction remain in the hands of the foreclosing lender. These foreclosed properties, known as lender-owned or real estate owned (REO) properties, present an obstacle to preserving healthy neighborhoods.