According to the Fremont Bulletin, 15.6 percent of homes in California were distressed in January 2014, compared to 69.5 percent in January 2009 based on statistics by the California Association of Realtors.

Myron Von Raesfeld, president of the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors, added, “Home values in our area have risen substantially since the recession began five years ago. The additional equity has helped all home owners, but especially those whose properties were underwater. They no longer have to worry about having to sell their homes in a short sale, or letting their homes go into foreclosure.”