According to the National Association of Realtors, the price of those Boston foreclosure listings and other homes actually dropped in the third quarter of 2008 by 10%. That drop was equal to more than $30,000. However, those prices did increase by about 2% between the second and third quarters of 2008. While the prices are still lower than they were a year ago, the problem isn't as bad as in other cities. After all, 80% of cities in the United States have seen record price drops.

The good news for the state is that Boston foreclosure listings are not as bad as even in other parts of the state. Prices have been down in the state even as they increased in the city of Boston. Of course, the nice thing is that sales have slightly increased but most of those are what are called ?distressed sales.? That term covers short sales and foreclosure auctions.

If you're an investor, the good news is the lower prices and higher numbers of Boston foreclosure listings have made it easier than ever to find a valuable property that will be a smart investment. You'll find a wide range of properties covering all of the price brackets and neighbors. That's good news for investors who want to attract a wide range of possible buyers.