Worcester County Foreclosures Up 23%

Worcester County and five others posted above average numbers of foreclosure filings in June despite a state program meant to stall proceedings.

According to Framingham-based ForeclosuresMass.com, Worcester County saw a 23 percent increase in foreclosure filings for the 12 months ended in June compared to the same period a year ago. Nantucket, Dukes, Suffolk, Essex and Middlesex counties also saw increases.

However, just 351 foreclosures were filed in June as a result of a state-mandated 90-day waiting period enacted in May. That's an 85 percent decrease compared to June 2007. Lenders filed 4,157 foreclosures during the second quarter, ForeclosuresMass.com said, mostly driven by April's record 3,414 filings.

ForeclosuresMass.com said the state waiting period would only stall foreclosures, not stop them, and the company expects a spike in foreclosure filings in August.