by Calculated Risk on 11/05/2010 05:20:00 PM

The combined REO (Real Estate Owned) inventory for Fannie, Freddie and the FHA increased by 24% at the end of Q3 2010 compared to Q2 2010. The REO inventory increased 92% compared to Q3 2009 (year-over-year comparison).

Click on graph for larger image in new window.

This graph shows the REO inventory for Fannie, Freddie and FHA through Q3 2010.

The REO inventory for the "Fs" has increased sharply over the last year, from 153,007 at the end of Q3 2009 to a record 293,171 at the end of Q3 2010.

There are new records for Fannie, Freddie, and FHA REO inventory individually too.

Remember this is just a portion of the total REO inventory. Private label securities and banks and thrifts also hold a substantial number of REOs.

The REO inventory will probably increase sharply in Q4. From Fannie Mae today:

Given the large number of seriously delinquent loans in our single-family guaranty book of business and the large current and anticipated supply of single-family homes in the market, we expect it will take a number of years before our REO inventory approaches pre-2008levels.
...
Our expectation that the foreclosure pause will likely result in higher serious delinquency rates, longer foreclosure timelines, higher foreclosed property expenses, higher credit losses, higher credit-related expenses, and an increase in the number of REO properties we are unable to market for sale.