Foreclosure activity has been relatively quiet in recent months in Wakefield, although the town did see a jump in foreclosure petitions for 2012 compared to the previous year.

According to the latest data from the Warren Group, there were 56 year to date foreclosure petitions in Wakefield at the end of December 2012, compared to 23 for that point in 2011. For what it’s worth, both December 2011 and December 2012 each saw only two petitions.

Away from foreclosure petitions, which represent the first stage in the process, other activity was slow in Wakefield. The Warren Group reported no foreclosure auctions in town for 2011 or 2012. There were 12 foreclosure deeds reported in 2011 in Wakefield, and 11 in 2012.

"Foreclosures have been trending down for several years now. A robust real estate market will ensure that this trend continues in 2013,” said Timothy Warren, CEO of the Warren Group.

Statewide, completed foreclosures fell 13% from 2011 to 2012.