1 out of 8 U.S. Homeowners in foreclosure or late on mortgage payments

Reuters is reporting that 1 out of every 8 homeowners (approximately 12% of homeowners) in the United States is late on mortgage payments or in the foreclosure process. That is a staggering statistic. In California, the problem is worse than the nation as a whole, so the number is probably even higher for California. I think we are close to where the bottom for home prices should be (based mostly on income ratios), but due to all of these foreclosures, I think home prices are going to continue to drop to a number lower than what prices should be. For people with cash (and maybe first-time home buyers who can get a loan), that will be an opportune time to buy. Everyone else is in for a difficult ride.