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IRVINE, CA-While foreclosure starts dropped 28% from a year ago to a 71-month low, the number of bank repossessions increased annually for the first time since October 2010, reports RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosure properties. The firm's U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for November 2012 showed foreclosure filings decreased 3% from October and 19% from November 2011, but US bank repossessions increased 11% from the previous month and 5% from November 2011, a nine-month high.

“The drop in overall foreclosure activity in November was caused largely by a 71-month low in foreclosure starts for the month, more evidence that we are past the worst of the foreclosure problem brought about by the housing bubble bursting six years ago,” said Daren Blomquist, VP at RealtyTrac, in a prepared statement. “But foreclosures are continuing to hobble the U.S. housing market as lenders finally seize properties that started the process a year or two ago—and much longer in some cases. We're likely not completely out of the woods when it comes to foreclosure starts, either, as lenders are still adjusting to new foreclosure ground rules set forth in the National Mortgage Settlement, along with various state laws and court rulings.”