Another 6,767 Tampa Bay area properties drifted into foreclosure in July, a retreat from the 7,216 foreclosure cases reported in June.

The numbers come from the firm RealtyTrac, which said foreclosures struck one of every 194 households in July. It was worse across the state and country, where foreclosures rose 7 percent last month and set another dismal record, RealtyTrac chief executive James Saccacio said.

Foreclosures affected 360,149 properties nationwide in July. Falling home prices, joblessness and the housing glut have encouraged further mortgage defaults.

"Despite continued efforts by the federal government and state governments to patch together a safety net for distressed homeowners, we're seeing significant growth," he said.

Pasco County owned the highest foreclosure rate in the region. Pinellas County was the least troubled by defaults.