Ohio has 9th highest foreclosure rate

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Fewer U.S. homes entered the foreclosure process or were taken back by banks in November.

Meanwhile, Ohio had the nation's ninth highest foreclosure rate, with one out of every 500 households receiving a foreclosure notice last month.

Foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac says the overall decline in foreclosure warnings and repossessions reflects a seasonal pullback by lenders and mortgage servicers.

But for some homeowners already behind on their mortgage payments, the end-of-year slowdown isn't likely to provide much of a reprieve.

High unemployment, a sluggish housing market and falling home values are contributing to homeowners falling behind on their mortgage payments.

Nevada, California and Arizona had the highest foreclosure rates for November.