Oregon Public Broadcasting

The number of home foreclosures in Oregon's smaller cities dropped in May.

About 1,300 'notices of default' were filed during May in the Willamette Valley, Central Oregon, Southern Oregon and along the coast. 

That's about 200 fewer than the month before.

Eugene-based 'Gorilla Capital' crunched the numbers. CEO John Helmick says figures from the last three months hint at a gradual drop in the numbers of foreclosures.

John Helmick: "I would love to see six months in a row of downward trends before saying it's on the way down. But right now is the indication of a downward trend."

Other economists look at the figures differently, however. They say foreclosure rates are up five percent when compared to the same time last year.

Klamath and Marion counties experienced the largest increases in 'notices of default.'  Benton, Curry and Jefferson counties saw the biggest decreases.

The figures do not include the Portland metropolitan area.