The number of delinquent loans also decreased

Good news appears to be on the horizon for those worried about foreclosures.

The latest numbers show that the number of Americans with homes in the foreclosure process has dropped by nearly 25 percent in the past year.

Delinquency rates

Also, the delinquency rate for loans 30 days or more past due dropped below 6.5 percent for the first time since July 2008. Since last year, the delinquency rate has gone down 9.61 percent.

That report by Lender Processing Services also says there are 3.1 million homeowners who are more than 30 days delinquent in their mortgage payments. About a third of those are in the foreclosure process.

States with high delinquency rates

Florida tops the list of states with the highest percentage of mortgage delinquency. Other states on the list include New Jersey, Mississippi, Nevada and New York.

You may remember that six cities in Florida filled out the top-ten list of cities expected to have major foreclosure activity in 2013.

1. Palm Bay, Fla.

2. Lakeland, Fla.

3. Raleigh, N.C.

4. Tampa, Fla.

5. Panama City, Fla.

6. Pensacola, Fla. (tie)

6. Omaha, Neb. (tie)

7. Rockford, Ill.

8. Jacksonville, Fla.

9. Pittsburgh

10. Charlotte, N.C.

Housing market improving

By all indications, the housing market is on the upswing. Housing prices are up overall. Miami had a 14 percent price increase last year, one of the largest year-over-year price gains for U.S. metro areas. It remains to be seen whether those price increases will hold. Some economic analysts are saying those price increases may not hold throughout the year. They say some of the price increases are due to investors or others with all-cash offers willing to pay more for homes that are still worth less than a few years ago. These analysts say the price increases can hold if ordinary sellers turn out in significant enough numbers.

Foreclosure is still a reality for many Americans. Last week, about 500 activists took to the streets of Washington, D.C. to call for the criminal prosecution of banks they say are pursuing illegal foreclosures and engaging in other illegal activity that is resulting in foreclosure for many homeowners.

Photo credit: Steven Depolo