The nation's foreclosure rate rose slightly in January, up 3 percent from the previous month, according to an analysis released February 16 by RealtyTrac.

Default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions hit 210,941 during the first month of 2012. But while this was an increase over December, the overall foreclosure rate was down 19 percent from the same period in 2011, according to the report. Foreclosures are likely to increase over 2012, however, as a result of the recent settlement between the government and five of the nation's top banks.

“The settlement sets forth clear guidelines for lenders and servicers to follow when foreclosing, which should allow them to push through some of the delayed foreclosures from last year," according to RealtyTrac CEO Brandon Moore. "Other roadblocks to foreclosure are still in place at the state level, however, including legislation altering the foreclosure process and lawsuits against lenders."

VA home loans continue to be among the strongest loans in the nation, according to information recently released from VA. Foreclosures on VA-backed home loans fell by 28 percent during 2011.

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