The number of foreclosures in North Carolina fell 49.7 percent in February from the same period last year, according to data from RealtyTrac Inc.
The state had 2,039 foreclosures in February, with one in every 2,023 homeowners receiving a default notice, auction-sale notice or bank-repossession filing.
Foreclosure filings in North Carolina fell 14.5 percent in February from January.
Across the country, foreclosure filings rose nearly 30 percent last month from February 2008. There were 290,631 foreclosure filings, which affected one in every 440 U.S. households.
Filings rose 5.9 percent last month from January.
Nevada, Arizona and California posted the top foreclosure rates in the country last year.
Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac tracks default notices, auction-sale notices and bank repossessions. Its figures exceed those compiled by the N.C. Commissioner of Banks. The company counts every foreclosure filing, including multiple filings for a single household, while the commissioner counts each household only once, regardless of the number of filings it receives.
Homeowners insurance premiums in Charlotte could drop as much as 4 percent as part of a settlement announced Thursday by state regulators.
Statewide, premiums will increase an average of about 4 percent – not the 19.5 percent hike requested by insurers this month.
Homeowners along the coast will get hit by a much higher increase: as much as 29.8 percent in some counties. Homeowners insurance rates are set by region, based on the number and type of claims and repair costs in the area.
When Charlie and Liz Kiper moved to the Wedgewood North neighborhood 14 years ago, they enjoyed the “quiet, country living” they found along the then-two-lane W.T. Harris Boulevard.
Even when the road expanded and Northlake Mall was built in 2005, the Kipers' daily lives weren't affected. They regularly drove past the mall and eight miles north on Interstate 77 to Sam Furr Road, where they patronized the plentiful retail shops and restaurants.
Today, all that has changed. The Kipers now rarely drive more than two miles to their destination.
Mecklenburg County may soon be able to give money back to a group of property owners who were double-taxed for police service after their neighborhood was annexed into Stallings last year.
After receiving complaints from some residents last year, county officials tried to refund the tax money. But they said they did not have the legal authority to do so.
Mecklenburg leaders appealed to state lawmakers for help, and members of the General Assembly recently approved a bill allowing the county to give back the money. The legislation is tucked inside a much larger bill, and now awaits Gov. Mike Easley's signature.
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