The number of zombie properties — homes abandoned by their owners while in pre-foreclosure status — is inching higher, with the total likely to increase, even as overall vacancies should drop, NationalMortgageNews.com reported. A total of 7,707 residential properties facing foreclosure are sitting vacant in the third quarter, increasing by 1.8% from 7,569 three months earlier and 2.2% from 7,538 year over year, according to a report from real estate data provider Attom. It is the second consecutive quarterly increase in zombie numbers. The trend runs counter to vacancy rates relative to all U.S. properties, which fell to just under 1.3 million, equaling 1.28%, or one in 78 homes. The total is down from 1.31% during the second quarter and 1.35% a year ago.
