Despite Butler County having the worst foreclosure rate in Ohio in 2011, according to RealtyTrac’s annual market report, it has also been reported that the housing market for the regional Cincinnati area is looking stronger. According to this report, one in every 43 homes was foreclosed upon in some way last year.

There has been no clear reason given for why the rate of foreclosures was so high, but some commentators have attributed it to climbing unemployment numbers in both Hamilton and Middletown. With a decline in available jobs in these cities, people tend to either move or remain in the city while unemployed. This profoundly influences the housing market, and no doubt it does so negatively.

Although things are looking grim for the housing market in Butler County, and certainly Middletown, things are looking stronger for the Greater Cincinnati area as a whole. This might be a good sign of things to come in the Butler County area, since this region includes Butler County. It is quite possible, some have noted, that areas such as Middletown may benefit residually from this regional improvement. Though the employment market is nearly impossible to predict in the current economic climate, there is at least valid reason to believe that better things are in store for Butler County’s 2012 housing market.

Sources: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/area-housing-market-shows-strength-1312058.html

http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/butler-county-worst-for-2011-foreclosures--1311524.html