Research firm CoreLogic says 1.9 percent of Nashville-area homes with mortgages were foreclosed on in October. That's more than 30 basis points higher than in October 2010 and the highest level since February of last year. Also worth noting: During the fourth quarter of 2010, the region's foreclosure rate jumped to 1.89 percent from 1.5 percent. If the end of 2011 produced a jump even half that big, foreclosures would easily — and for the first time during this downturn — top 2 percent of all Nashville-area homes. That would suggest the housing slump is nearing its end as both stretched borrowers throw in the towel and exhausted bankers finally pull the plug on struggling credits.

SEE ALSO: Mortgage delinquency data showing little progress from last month