RealtyTrends, the monthly newsletter from RealtyTrac.com, reports that foreclosures are up 17 percent in Q3 – 318,355 properties went into some form of foreclosure during the period.  This represents an increase of 17 percent over last quarter, and a year-on-year increase of 43 percent.

Foreclosure levels varied widely across regions, with Colorado, Nevada and Florida leading the pack.  Florida saw a 55% spike in foreclosures to lead the nation with a total of 40,136.  Texas is in second place at 39,363, but in terms of percentage of total properties ranks sixth. 

Increases in foreclosures can be linked to a combination of increasing interest rates, flat property values, and stagnating economic indicators for some regions. 

In addition to paid sites like RealtyTrac.com, information on foreclosures can be found at government sites such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website.  They list a number of local programs broken down by state.