- 

Five states account for half of nation's foreclosure filings

Foreclosure filings in March jumped 47 percent compared to the same month last year, to a rate of one foreclosure filing for every 775 U.S. households, online foreclosure marketplace RealtyTrac reported today.

The company reported 149,150 foreclosure filings -- including default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions -- in March, which represents a 7 percent rise from the adjusted February total.

California, Florida, Texas, Michigan and Ohio -- the five states with the most foreclosure filings in March -- accounted for half of the nation's foreclosure filings. All five of these states had foreclosure rates above the national average in March.