Negative Equity - Shadow Inventory

Shadow Inventory is measured in many ways.  I like measurements that consider mortgages that are 120+ days late in addition to homes that are in the foreclosure process.  Core Logic provides the only report that I am aware of that tracks underwater homes, or Negative Equity (Neg-Eq).  The following is from a recent report:

According to a new report by Core logic, 11.4 million (or 23.7%) of all U.S. mortgaged residential properties are in “Negative Equity” (when a borrower owes more on their mortgage than their property is worth).

These figures are down from 25.2% in Q4, 2011. The Negative Equity share is at its lowest in nearly three years.

Here are some details from the report. This is good news, slight as it may be, but good news!

• Negative Equity declined to $691 billion in Q1, 2012, down from $742 billion in Q4, 2011.
• More than 700,000 households returned to positive equity in Q1, 2012.
• 2.3 million borrowers had less than 5% equity, i.e. near Negative Equity in the Q1, 2012.
• Negative Equity and near Negative Equity mortgages accounted for 28.5% of all residential properties in Q1, 2012. This is down from 30.1% in Q4, 2011.
• Nevada had the highest Negative Equity percentage with 61% of all mortgaged properties underwater.

Decline in home values or an increase in mortgage debt is the cause of increase in Negative Equity. Negative Equity improved, in large part, due to improvements in home price levels. Additionally, sell through of existing inventory is fast and furious as we enter mid-summer.