Safeguard Properties
  • Property Inspections
  • Insurance Policy Inspections
  • Property Data Collection
  • Single-Family Rental
  • Insurance Loss Inspections
  • Property Preservation
  • FHA Conveyance
  • Real Estate Owned (REO)
  • Resources
Skip to content

<- Return To Industry Updates

Zombie Foreclosure Rates by State – Q4 2025

Industry Update
October 31, 2025

Source: ATTOM

What Is the Current Percentage of Zombie Foreclosures in the U.S.?

In the fourth quarter of 2025, the share of zombie foreclosures across the United States edged down slightly quarter over quarter and year over year.

Residential Properties Nationwide in the Process of Foreclosure: 228,943

Percentage of Zombie Foreclosures: 3.25 percent of residential properties in the foreclosure process were considered “zombie” properties — homes that sit vacant while in pre-foreclosure status.

Quarterly change: down slightly from 3.38 percent in Q3 2025

Year-over-year change: down slightly from 3.30 percent in Q4 2024

The states with the highest zombie foreclosure rates in the fourth quarter were: Wyoming, South Dakota, Kansas, the District of Columbia, and Iowa.

What’s Driving Q4 2025 Zombie Foreclosure Trends?

Zombie foreclosure rates continue to remain near historic lows, reflecting strong housing demand and tighter lending standards. Despite persistent affordability challenges, most homeowners maintain substantial equity, potentially reducing the likelihood of abandonment during foreclosure proceedings.  Gradual increases in foreclosure activity have not translated into widespread vacancy.  Overall, the stability in zombie foreclosure rates suggests a housing market that remains resilient even amid economic headwinds.

Zombie Foreclosure Rates by State – Q4 2025

Below is the complete state-by-state ranking for the fourth quarter of 2025, listing each state’s share of zombie foreclosure properties and the top three counties leading in percentage of total vacant properties.

  1. Wyoming– 15.49% of residential properties in the process of foreclosure during the fourth quarter were vacant or zombie foreclosures  (11 zombie foreclosures)
  2. South Dakota– 13.04% zombie foreclosures (3 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Minnehaha
  3. Kansas– 12.35% zombie foreclosures (81 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Wyandotte, Sedgwick, Shawnee
  4. Iowa– 8.62% zombie foreclosures (107 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Black Hawk, Scott, Linn
  5. New Mexico– 7.84% zombie foreclosures (45 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Santa Fe, Bernalillo, Dona Ana
  6. Oregon– 7.07% zombie foreclosures (51 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Multnomah, Jackson, Lane
  7. Alaska– 6.74% zombie foreclosures (13 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Anchorage
  8. Indiana– 6.40% zombie foreclosures (219 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Lake, Marion, St Joseph
  9. Ohio– 6.33% zombie foreclosures (606 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Mahoning, Lucas, Cuyahoga
  10. Missouri– 6.28% zombie foreclosures (49 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Saint Louis City, Saint Louis, Jackson
  11. North Dakota– 6.17% zombie foreclosures (10 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: No data available
  12. Oklahoma– 5.59% zombie foreclosures (57 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Oklahoma, Tulsa, Cleveland
  13. West Virginia– 5.36% zombie foreclosures (6 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Kanawha
  14. Montana– 4.90% zombie foreclosures (5 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Yellowstone
  15. Maine– 4.70% zombie foreclosures (32 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Penobscot, York, Cumberland
  16. Vermont– 4.55% zombie foreclosures (1 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Chittenden
  17. Illinois– 4.31% zombie foreclosures (641 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Saint Clair, Peoria, Madison
  18. Nebraska– 4.17% zombie foreclosures (10 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy
  19. Pennsylvania– 4.01% zombie foreclosures (240 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Schuylkill, Beaver, Allegheny
  20. Washington– 3.79% zombie foreclosures (61 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Spokane, Pierce, Kitsap
  21. Hawaii– 3.74% zombie foreclosures (62 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Hawaii, Honolulu, Maui
  22. Alabama– 3.72% zombie foreclosures (31 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Montgomery, Jefferson, Mobile
  23. Nevada– 3.62% zombie foreclosures (59 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Clark, Washoe
  24. Maryland– 3.58% zombie foreclosures (79 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Baltimore City, Baltimore, Prince George’s County
  25. Arizona– 3.53% zombie foreclosures (68 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Pima, Mohave, Maricopa
  26. Florida– 3.43% zombie foreclosures (2132 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Pinellas, Sarasota, Palm Beach
  27. Rhode Island– 3.36% zombie foreclosures (5 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Washington, Kent, Providence
  28. New York– 3.29% zombie foreclosures (1442 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Broome, Niagara, Oneida
  29. Michigan– 3.27% zombie foreclosures (63 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Wayne, Genesee, Saginaw
  30. Mississippi– 3.27% zombie foreclosures (8 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Hinds, Harrison, De Soto
  31. Colorado– 3.07% zombie foreclosures (57 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Pueblo, Denver, Arapahoe
  32. Delaware– 2.96% zombie foreclosures (14 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: New Castle, Kent, Sussex
  33. Georgia– 2.91% zombie foreclosures (74 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Bibb, Richmond, Muscogee
  34. Texas– 2.86% zombie foreclosures (205 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Jefferson, Galveston, Lubbock
  35. Tennessee– 2.64% zombie foreclosures (22 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Shelby, Hamilton, Sullivan
  36. North Carolina– 2.60% zombie foreclosures (82 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Gaston, Cumberland, Forsyth
  37. Kentucky– 2.52% zombie foreclosures (21 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Jefferson, Kenton, Fayette
  38. Wisconsin– 2.42% zombie foreclosures (33 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Milwaukee, Winnebago, Rock
  39. Minnesota– 2.17% zombie foreclosures (24 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Saint Louis, Hennepin, Olmsted
  40. Louisiana– 2.14% zombie foreclosures (35 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge
  41. New Hampshire– 2.07% zombie foreclosures (4 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Rockingham, Hillsborough
  42. Utah– 1.97% zombie foreclosures (27 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Washington, Salt Lake, Weber
  43. California– 1.93% zombie foreclosures (272 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Riverside, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo
  44. South Carolina– 1.90% zombie foreclosures (97 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Beaufort, Horry, Anderson
  45. Arkansas– 1.69% zombie foreclosures (4 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Pulaski, Washington, Benton
  46. Connecticut– 1.67% zombie foreclosures (13 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: New London, New Haven, Middlesex
  47. Virginia– 1.58% zombie foreclosures (27 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Richmond City, Norfolk City, Virginia Beach City
  48. Massachusetts– 1.20% zombie foreclosures (33 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Barnstable, Berkshire, Suffolk
  49. Idaho– 1.15% zombie foreclosures (5 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Ada, Kootenai, Canyon
  50. New Jersey– 0.80% zombie foreclosures (180 zombie foreclosures)
    Counties: Cape May, Middlesex, Atlantic

Conclusion

Zombie foreclosures remain rare across the U.S., accounting for just over 3 percent of all properties in foreclosure. States with the highest shares are Wyoming, South Dakota, and Kansas.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

Related Posts

Brian P. Hudak Named OCC Deputy Chief Counsel

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced Brian P. Hudak has been named Deputy Chief Counsel.

Read More

ICE First Look at Mortgage Performance: October 2025

ICE Mortgage Technology released the October 2025 First Look report covering mortgage delinquency, foreclosure, and prepayment trends.

Read More

  • + Event
    • NPPC
    • Vendor Events
    • Industry Conferences
    • Community Events
  • + Featured Resources
    • Disaster Updates
    • FEMA Alerts
    • Industry Updates
    • Investor and Regulatory Updates
  • Conferences and Events
  • + Newsroom
    • Safeguard in the News
    • Editorials
    • News Releases
<- Back To Newsroom Next Article ->

Contact Us

Reach out to us via phone, email, or the form below.

Fields marked with an * are required

Our Information

Safeguard Properties

7887 Hub Parkway

Valley View, OH 44125

216.739.2900

Media Inquiries: safeguard.communication@safeguardproperties.com

24-Hour Complaint Hotline:

855.563.9154

Transparency in Coverage Information - Click Here

Connect

  • Connect with us on Facebook
  • Tweet us on Twitter
  • Connect with us on LinkedIn
  • Watch us on Youtube

Our Partners

© Copyright Safeguard Properties 2025

Privacy
Legal Information

Cookies enable us to provide the best experience possible and help us understand how visitors use our website. By browsing our website, you agree to our use of cookies.

x

CEO

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the Chief Executive Officer for Safeguard Properties, steering the company as the mortgage field services industry leader. He also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Alan joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2002, and was named CEO in May 2010. His hands-on experience has given him unique insights as a leader to innovate, improve and strengthen Safeguard’s processes to assure that the company adheres to the highest standards of quality and customer service.

Under Alan’s leadership, Safeguard has grown significantly with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiency to clients, and strategic acquisitions. He takes a team approach to process improvement, involving staff at all levels of the organization to address issues, brainstorm solutions, and identify new and better ways to serve clients.

In 2008, Alan was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in its annual “40-Under-40” profile of young leaders. He also was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award finalist in 2013.

x

Esq., General Counsel and EVP

Linda Erkkila

Linda Erkkila is the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Safeguard Properties, with oversight of legal, human resources, training, and compliance. Linda’s broad scope of oversight covers regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, insurance, litigation and claims management, and counsel related to mergers, acquisition and joint ventures.

Linda assures that Safeguard’s strategic initiatives align with its resources, leverage opportunities across the company, and contemplate compliance mandates. She has practiced law for 25 years and her experience, both as outside and in-house counsel, covers a wide range of corporate matters, including regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, compensation and benefits, litigation management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Linda earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. Linda was previously named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

x

COO

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Properties, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company in July 2010. Initially brought on as Vice President of REO, Mike’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision quickly propelled him to Vice President of Operations in 2013, and ultimately to COO in 2015. Over his 14-year tenure at Safeguard, Mike has been instrumental in driving change and fostering innovation within the Property Preservation sector, consistently delivering excellence and becoming a trusted partner to clients and investors.

A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike earned a degree in Quantitative Economics. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Branch, where he specialized in supply chain management. Before his tenure at Safeguard, Mike honed his expertise by managing global supply chains for 13 years, leveraging his military and civilian experience to lead with precision and efficacy.

x

CFO

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard Properties. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, and Information Security departments. At the core of his responsibilities is the drive to ensure that Safeguard’s focus remains rooted in Customer Service = Resolution. Through his executive leadership role, he actively supports SGPNOW.com, an on-demand service geared towards real estate and property management professionals as well as individual home owners in need of inspection and property preservation services. Joe is also an integral force behind Compliance Connections, a branch of Safeguard Properties that allows code enforcement professionals to report violations at properties that can then be addressed by the Safeguard vendor network. Compliance Connections also researches and shares vacant property ordinance information with Safeguard clients.

Joe has an MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program.

x

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties