The Boston Globe reports from Massachusetts. "Mortgage lenders submitted a record 19,487 foreclosure filings in Massachusetts last year, leaving more homeowners in danger of losing their homes than at any time since the real estate recession of the 1990s."

"Filings in Barnstable County rose 91 percent, to 934 in 2006, according to ForeclosuresMass.com. But the greatest number of filings was in Worcester County, 2,987, up 76 percent, followed by Middlesex County. Statewide, filings rose nearly 70 percent, from 11,493 in 2005, with the pace quickening at year end."

"Kevin Cuff, executive director of the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Association, said yesterday in a statement that homeownership has increased, due to the greater availability of mortgages. '2003 through 2005 were historic years for [mortgage] production in Massachusetts,' his statement said, 'and it would correlate to the increased foreclosure results for 2006.'"

The Boston Herald. "Among communities recording 100 or more foreclosures in 2006, filings increased most sharply in Everett (up 159.6 percent), Lowell (146.4 percent) and Mashpee (121.7 percent). Boston fared little better: Hub foreclosures rose 85 percent."

"'(Last year) was a terrible year for thousands of Massachusetts homeowners,' ForeclosuresMass.com President Jeremy Shapiro said. 'More families faced foreclosure than at any other time in our history.'"

"Shapiro attributed 2006’s sharp spike in foreclosures to a 'perfect storm' of problems for homeowners, ranging from a soft housing market to increased use of risky 'exotic' mortgages. 'All indications are that this trend will not abate, which means trouble for tens of thousands of additional homeowners in 2007,' he said."

"Mortgage foreclosures more than doubled in Everett, Lowell and five other Massachusetts locales during 2006."

"Foreclosures increased statewide by 69.56% over 2005 levels (19,487 v. 11,493). Foreclosures have more than doubled since 2004, increasing by 124.27% (19,487 v. 8,689). More foreclosures were filed in Q4 of 2006 (6,525) than any previous quarter since ForeclosuresMass.com began tracking data in 2003. Foreclosure filings in Q4 jumped a staggering 33% above Q3 of 2006."

"Filings during Q4 of 2006 were 112% above Q4 of 2005 (3,071). December 2006 had 114.74% more foreclosure filings than December 2005 (2,156 v. 1,004)."

"In communities with 10 to 49 foreclosure filings in 2006, the largest increases were in Bernardston (1000% increase, 11 in 2006 v. 1 in 2005), Lancaster (540% increase, 32 v. 5), Orleans (400% increase, 15 v. 3), Eastham (333% increase, 13 v. 3), and Granby (333% increase, 13 v. 3)."

From New York Business. "Despite a significant slowdown elsewhere, residential construction in New York City continued at a torrid pace in 2006, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Census Bureau."

"The year saw the second highest number of building permits for privately owned residential units since 1972. Jason Bram, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, points out that the 30,927 units that received permits in 2006 in New York City exceeds the total issued in the six-year period from 1990 through 1995."

"In addition, last year's figure includes only new construction and does not include units in office buildings or hotels being converted to residential use, or the units re-built in dilapidated buildings, Mr. Bram says."

"Seventy-two percent of the permits issued in 2006 were for units in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. Manhattan accounted for 28% of the units."

The New York Post. "There were more residential building permits issued in Brooklyn last year than at any time since modern record-keeping began in 1965, according to figures released yesterday."

"Manhattan's stratospheric real-estate market undoubtedly was also a factor. 'The high prices in Manhattan are pushing people over the bridges,' observed Mark Kessler, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce."

"Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión noted that property values in his borough spurted 75 percent in five years. 'It's a little scary,' he said. But he added: 'The positives far outweigh the negatives.'"

"During the recession of 1991, The Bronx recorded just 22 residential housing permits. Last year, it registered more than 200 times as many. 'There is construction everywhere,' said Carrion."

The Poughkeepsie Journal from New York. "A slowdown in the housing market is delaying construction of a 199-unit subdivision off Beekman and Greenhaven roads. 'They are in a wait-and-see mode right now,' Town of Beekman Planner Neal Townsend said."

"Sharbell Development Corp. of Robbinsville, N.J. is holding off on building the subdivision due to a 'nose dive' in the sale of new homes across the region, said Sharbell senior vice president Thomas Troy. 'We’re hoping there will be a thaw in the market in the year ahead,' he said."

"Sharbell is planning on building single-family homes with three and four bedrooms and ranging in size from 2,400 to 3,600 square feet. Sale prices are expected to be $500,000 and up."

"Tim Gunther, who sells real estate part time, said with about 200 upscale homes for sale in the towns of Beekman and Fishkill alone, he can see why Sharbell is holding off on sinking millions of dollars into construction of the Springs homes."

"'Since you have 200 homes on the market which aren’t selling, what makes you think these 200 are going to sell?' he said."