The national housing market is entering a phase of change, and that shift was front and center at the 2025 REOX HI Conference in Irving, Texas. I attended the event because, as a New Jersey real estate agent and active member of REOX, I believe it is my responsibility to stay fully educated on what is happening behind the scenes in the default, servicing, foreclosure, and bank-owned property sectors. By doing so I bring current, research-driven insight back to New Jersey homeowners instead of relying on headlines or outdated assumptions.
At the conference I heard from asset managers, servicers, institutional buyers, default attorneys, preservation companies and valuation experts from across the country. These are the professionals who handle properties after financial distress, often months before the public market reacts. Their message: the industry is preparing for more distressed inventory. That does not mean a crash is inevitable, but it does suggest a noticeable change in how homes will be sold and valued over the next 12 to 24 months, including in New Jersey.
Below are the most relevant takeaways from the conference paired with recent national data. If you are a New Jersey homeowner facing inheritance, deferred maintenance, preforeclosure, relocation, divorce, probate or aging in place, these insights matter.
1. Foreclosure Activity Is Rising Across the United States
ATTOM’s latest report shows foreclosure filings reached 36,766 U.S. properties in October 2025, up 3 percent from September and up 19 percent year over year. Lenders began the foreclosure process on 25,129 properties that same month, a 6 percent monthly increase and a 20 percent annual increase.This marks the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year foreclosure growth, signaling a slow but steady return to pre-pandemic levels.
What this means for New Jersey: because the state already has one of the nation’s longest judicial foreclosure timelines, even a modest increase nationally can strain local court systems and reduce the amount of time a struggling homeowner has to act.
Reverse mortgage foreclosures came up several times at the conference, especially since these loans became heavily marketed to seniors in the late 1980s. Unlike a traditional foreclosure, where missed monthly payments trigger the legal process, most reverse mortgages do not require monthly payments at all. The foreclosure begins only after a “maturity event” such as the homeowner passing away, moving out, losing occupancy, or failing to pay property taxes or insurance. Because most reverse mortgages are insured through FHA’s HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) program, the servicer must follow specific federal timelines, provide notices to heirs and order an appraisal before moving forward. Heirs usually have the option to sell the property or pay off the loan for the lesser of the balance owed or 95 percent of the home’s current value, which can be a financial lifeline but also a time sensitive decision.
2. Mortgage Servicers Are Moving Faster Than Before
Servicers at the conference reported shorter response windows, stricter documentation requests and more frequent occupancy or condition checks due to regulatory scrutiny and portfolio-loss pressures.
For New Jersey homeowners behind on payments, this means:
- open and respond to mail immediately
- request payoff and reinstatement quotes early
- keep tax, insurance and financial records organized
- do not wait until a sheriff sale is scheduled before seeking help
3. Deferred Maintenance Will Influence Pricing and Buyer Interest
Preservation and repair costs have increased, especially in older Northeast housing markets. Conference speakers noted more buyers, including banks and investors, are prioritizing cleaner properties with fewer unknowns.
New Jersey’s aging housing stock, oil tank history, older roofs, plumbing, wiring, and long-term owner-occupied homes may require a more strategic listing or cash-offer approach. Sellers benefit from identifying repair needs early.
4. Investors Are Still Active, But More Selective
Institutional buyers made it clear that capital is still available, but underwriting is tightening. Offers increasingly depend on:
- clear title
- transparent occupancy status
- realistic pricing
- property condition documentation
- predictable timeline to closing
For homeowners receiving unsolicited cash offers in New Jersey, comparing multiple buyers and verifying credibility is more important than ever.
5. Growing Silent Inventory Could Shift Competition
Conference discussions and ATTOM data point to a rising pool of soon-to-hit-market properties including probate cases, aging owner transitions, reverse mortgage maturity, landlord fatigue and relocation due to affordability or taxes.
Nationally, Q3 2025 saw more than 101,000 U.S. properties with at least one foreclosure filing, a 17 percent increase year over year.
New Jersey fits this pattern closely due to demographics, aging housing and financial strain. Homeowners planning to sell within the next year may benefit from listing before additional competing homes appear.
6. Experience Will Matter More in the Next Market Phase
Speakers at the conference repeatedly emphasized that the easy seller’s market is fading. Homes tied to inheritance, preforeclosure, repairs, tenant challenges or outdated systems require:
- accurate valuation
- legal and title preparedness
- realistic timeline planning
- negotiation expertise
- awareness of municipal and state regulations
- local market interpretation, not national generalizations
As a New Jersey real estate agent who attends industry conferences and remains active within the REOX network, my role is to translate these industry changes into homeowner-focused strategies.
What This Means for New Jersey Homeowners
If you’re considering selling in 2025 or 2026, especially due to financial or life changes, here are the smartest next steps:
- ask questions early rather than waiting
- collect mortgage, tax and insurance records now
- document repairs and maintenance needs
- get a realistic valuation, not just an online estimate
- explore both listing and verified cash-offer paths
- choose representation experienced with distressed or complex sales
Prepared homeowners get more choices and better outcomes.
Final Thought
My time at the REOX HI Conference made one thing clear. The market is not collapsing, but it is evolving. Foreclosures are rising gradually, expectations are tightening and New Jersey homeowners will benefit most by staying informed, acting early and working with professionals who follow emerging industry data, not just sales trends.
Call to Action
If your home is inherited, outdated, behind on payments, tied to probate or needs repairs before selling, reach out. I offer a confidential strategy session, a realistic market analysis and guidance tailored to New Jersey’s unique housing landscape.
