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WALKER - Cass County foreclosures were down about 37 percent and homes sales up 27 percent the first quarter of 2011 compared with the 2010 first quarter.

Assessor Mark Peterson reported these changes to the county board Tuesday.

Foreclosures dropped form 45 in 2010 to 28 this year, while home sales rose from 66 the first three months of 2010 to 84 this year. That is despite a snowy, cold weather start to this year.

Peterson also noted there were 88 home sales in November and 100 homes sales in December 2010, the highest number in a single month since August 2007.

Foreclosures the first three months this year were scattered throughout the county, with one or two per township or city. They continue to be primarily for homesteaded properties and cabins, with only one commercial property and no agricultural properties foreclosed.

All but two were worth under $400,000.

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