Survey: Pa. job losses, bills caused foreclosures

HARRISBURG, Pa.

Nearly every respondent in a survey of 500 Pennsylvanians whose homes went into foreclosure over the past year cited a lost job or unexpected medical bills as the reason for falling behind on mortgage payments.

The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors said Wednesday the survey it commissioned also revealed that most didn't know about state and federal aid programs.

Fifty-seven percent cited job loss, while 47 percent blamed medical bills. Most said contacting their lender to work out an agreement didn't help. Just 14 percent carried a subprime loan.

Since the recession began in December 2007, the number of monthly foreclosure filings and home seizures in Pennsylvania has risen sharply.

The survey was conducted June 22-27 and carried a sampling error margin of plus or minus 4 percent.