The number of foreclosed properties sold at auction last month in Riverside County declined, but the figure was still 288 percent higher than a year ago, a real estate tracking firm reported.

According to Bay Area-based ForeclosureRadar.com’s monthly "California Foreclosure Report," Riverside County was fifth in the state in February — behind four Northern California counties — in the number of foreclosure sales per capita.

A total 2,159 properties were sold — or one dwelling for every 905 county residents — representing a 23 percent decline from January, according to ForeclosureRadar.com. Its data also showed that 4,720 property owners were in default and at least 90 days overdue in making mortgage payments.

"In the near term, it’s going to get worse before it gets better based on default activity," said ForeclosureRadar.com founder and president Sean O’Toole.

O’Toole predicted a peak in auction sales activity across the state sometime in the next six to nine months.

In January, a total 2,813 repossessed properties were auctioned off in Riverside County, and last month’s dip sufficed to move the county from number two in the state for auction sales to number five.

San Bernardino County went from number eight to number 11 on the list. Other than Riverside, no other Southern California counties made the top 10.

—From news services

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