A new report brings good news regarding the increasing health of the overall housing market in the U.S.: Foreclosure filings in the first quarter of 2019 are down 23 percent from the previous quarter and 15 percent from a year ago—the lowest level seen since the first quarter of 2008.

The statistics come from ATTOM Data Solutions’ Q1 2019 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows a total of 161,875 U.S. properties with a foreclosure filing during the first quarter of 2019. The report also shows a total of 58,550 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings in March 2019. While this number is up 7 percent from the previous month, it’s down 21 percent from a year ago—the ninth consecutive month with a year-over-year decrease in U.S. foreclosure activity.

Markets below pre-recession levels include San Jose, Memphis, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Francisco, Riverside-San Bernardino in Southern California, Chicago, Detroit and Seattle.

There are certain parts of the country still struggling to get above water. Markets still above pre-recession levels in terms of foreclosures include Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Richmond, Va., Virginia Beach, Providence, Rhode Island and New Orleans.

Nationwide, one in every 836 U.S. housing units had a foreclosure filing in the first quarter of 2019. States with the highest foreclosure rates in the first quarter were New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Florida (one in 487) and Illinois.

If you’re confronted with the prospect of foreclosure, there are steps you can take to potentially save your home. Keep the following in mind:

- First and foremost, don’t ignore the problem. Waiting will only make it harder to reinstate your loan.
- Contact your lender as soon as you realize you’re in trouble and they’ll be more amenable to working with you. Lenders would rather not take your house.
- Research foreclosure options online, particularly through government programs offered through FHA.
- Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor who can help you understand your options and organize your finances. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds free or very low-cost housing counseling nationwide. Housing counselors can help you understand the law and your options, organize your finances, and represent you in negotiations with your lender if you need this assistance.