IRVINE, Calif. (RealtyTrac) – Foreclosure filings were reported on 360,149 U.S. properties in July, an increase of nearly 7 percent from the previous month and a 32 percent increase from July 2008, according to RealtyTrac's July 2009 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report.

"July marks the third time in the last five months where we've seen a new record set for foreclosure activity," noted James J. Saccacio, CEO of RealtyTrac.

"Despite continued efforts by the federal government and state governments to patch together a safety net for distressed homeowners, we're seeing significant growth in both the initial notices of default and in the bank repossessions."

California, Florida, Arizona and Nevada posted the top foreclosure activity totals in the nation, accounting for nearly 57 percent of the nation's total. Texas ranked among the top ten at number six with 12,077 properties.