RealtyTrac: 2.33 million foreclosures in 2008

RealtyTrac just released its year-end foreclosure figures for 2008. Total filings climbed 81% to a record 2.33 million (though in fairness, the firm has only been tracking the numbers for four years). The company estimates that 1 in 54 U.S. housing units, or 1.84%, were involved in some sort of foreclosure filing (notice of default, auction notice, etc.) last year. Nevada had the worst foreclosure rate, with 7.3% of the state's housing units in some stage of default. It was followed by Florida (4.5%) and Arizona (also 4.5%).