I just read on msn that, and I qoute "Foreclosures rising despite prevention programs" what a depressing scenario. Much-hyped foreclosure-prevention programs relying on voluntary loan modifications are failing to reach a significant number of troubled homeowners and are often backfiring when they do so, according to newly updated research released today by the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

However, It looks like though there could be some good news for homeowners at last with the latest reports claiming that overall foreclosures have gone down in the US as compared to the same period last year. This is largely due to the fact that a number of loan modification consultants have been working overtime negotiating with banks and mortgage lenders to modify the existing loans of their customers. With banks giving a favorable response and doing what it can do to avoid more foreclosures, many homeowners have indeed been able to save their homes in the last couple of months.

Market watchers have also attributed the decline in foreclosures to a pro-active approach from the new government. Under President Barack Obama, the White House has been putting a lot of pressure on banks that have received bail out money to help their customers and to make sure that the money they receive is being used effectively.

The whole idea is to make sure that any money that goes out from the US government and federal reserves for bailouts are fueled back into the economy by banks, companies and institutions. This is the only way the economy as a whole can bring itself up from the current gloomy situation.

There has been added pressure on the banks especially to do more for the ailing economy considering they were one of the prime reasons for the economic downturn. Over the past couple of weeks, the US government has been actively engaged in talking to banks to boost lending and bring back confidence in the market. This has also led to more home loan modifications being approved by these financial institutions as well as carefully giving out new loans to individuals and companies with a solid background and capability for repayment.

It has also been noted that certain real estate investors have started playing an active role in the real estate market and have been buying foreclosed properties. Never to miss out on good deals, some investors have seen the valuations on properties which are too good to pass up. With a long term view, all these investors will be able to get a huge return on their investments. Return of investors, although not all, but even a few of them is being seen as a good sign and bringing some much needed relief to the real estate industry.

It is quite clear that the road to recovery will take a long time and it could be a few years before everything gets back to normal. However, analysts say that at least over the past month or so there has been some good news for the real estate sector. That being said, any positive signs are welcome news to an industry that has been suffering over the last year.

As of September, a full 1.2 million homeowners with subprime loans had lost their homes to foreclosure. Another 1.7 million families with subprime loans are seriously delinquent and at risk of losing their homes in the very near future, NACBA said.