One in every 157 homeowners received a foreclosure filing in October, the third-highest state foreclosure rate, according to California-based RealtyTrac.

 

That's 54,324 Florida properties that received a foreclosure filing - default notice, auction sales notice or bank repossession - during the month. It's an increase of 13 percent from the previous month and up nearly 80 percent from October a year ago.

 

Still, RealtyTrac says it's starting to see declines in filings in states with legislation mandating delays to the foreclosure process, most notably California.

 

"Despite this, October marks the 34th consecutive month where U.S. foreclosure activity has increased compared to the prior year," said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac.

 

Nevada and Arizona ranked first and second, respectively. One in every 74 homes in Nevada received a filing, one in every 149 homes in Arizona.

Tampa Bay ranked 16 out of 230 metro areas.

 

In the Sunshine State, four metro areas were among the top 10 metros for foreclosure filings in October. Cape Coral-Fort Myers and Miami were No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Fort Lauderdale ranked No. 8, and Orlando was No. 10.

 

Nationally, one in every 452 homes received a foreclosure filing in October, up 5 percent from the month before and 25 percent from October 2007.