The Commerce Department reported Thursday that sales of new homes dropped by 8.5 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 526,000 units, the slowest sales pace since October 1991.

More than 180 homes a day went into foreclosure in the Bay Area during the first quarter of the year, DataQuick Information Systems reported Tuesday.

Foreclosure resales accounted for 33.1 percent of all California resale activity from January to March. A year ago it was 3.2 percent.

Most loans that went into default originated between August 2005 and October 2006, according to DataQuick, which said the market was shaking off its "'loans-gone-wild' activity" during that time.

We noted in this post how some East Bay builders are reducing prices so much that it is hurting existing homeowners that need to sell. Surely, this activity will result in short sales and foreclosures by some.

Foreclosures and short sales in the Bay Area are creating investment opportunities for those with cash or leverage. International investors with strong euros and Canadian dollars are increasing their interest in U.S. real estate. Some forecast the euro to hit 2:1 against the dollar by years end.

Another result of increased foreclosures in the East Bay

An increase in foreclosures has Contra Costa County Mosquito and Vector Control District worried about a recent rise in abandoned pools, which they see as a gateway to West Nile Virus risks. We’ve written about this before here.

Related Articles:

• Observation on The Current Foreclosure Situation
• Foreclosures Affecting Rental Market In Many Ways
• States Fault Effort to Stanch Foreclosures

The recent rise in reported cases of West Nile Virus in Contra Costa County is being linked with the recent rise in home foreclosures. The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District says that a mosquito can lay her eggs in just two tablespoons of standing water. The recent rise in foreclosures in the state has resulted in many unattended spas, pools, fountains and other sources of standing water.

Reported cases of the West Nile Virus are on the rise. Last year there were 96 reported cases of human infection by this time. This year there are 137 reported cases.

On August 7, the CCMVD reported test positive mosquitoes for the West Nile Virus in Oakley and Antioch. Since that time, both communities have been sprayed twice to help reduce the mosquito population.

Related Post: West Nile Claims 2 in Contra Costa

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY WOMAN IS SECOND TO DIE N CALIFORNIA DUE TO WEST NILE VIRUSSACRAMENTO – An elderly Contra Costa County woman has died from complications associated with West Nile virus (WNV), the second death due to WNV in California this year, State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton announced today. The first death, an elderly Butte County woman, was announced last week. (8/24/06)

Warmer temperatures are on the way and with the rise in temperature mosquitoes will be hatching and looking for a good meal. Last year there were over 8 cases of the West Nile Virus reported in Contra Costa County. Two of these resulted in deaths. 

To help prevent the repeat of last year's headline, the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District held community meetings this past week to educate residents on what they can do to help prevent the spread of the West Nile Virus and how to protect themselves.

What Can I Do to Protect Myself and My Family?

The best way to avoid becoming infected with West Nile virus is to not get bitten by a mosquito. There are two ways to lessen the risk of mosquito bites for you and your family:

1. Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites; and
2. Eliminate mosquito breeding sites around your home and vacation property.

By taking simple precautions to lessen your chance of being bitten by a mosquito, you can also lessen your chance of getting West Nile virus.

1. Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites:
   • When going outdoors, use insect repellents that contain DEET or other approved ingredients
   • Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and a hat. Light coloured clothing is best because mosquitoes tend to be attracted to dark colours
   • Make sure that door and window screens fit tightly and have no holes that may allow mosquitoes indoors
2. Eliminate mosquito breeding sites around your home and vacation property:

Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water and it takes about four days for the eggs to grow into adults that are ready to fly. Even a small amount of water, for example, in a saucer under a flower pot, is enough to act as a breeding ground. As a result, it is important to eliminate as much standing water around your property as possible by:

• Regularly (twice a week) draining standing water from items like pool covers, saucers under flower pots, recycle bins, garbage cans, etc.
• Remove old unused items from around your property (i.e., old tires) which have a tendency to collect water
• Change the water in wading pools, bird baths, pet bowls and livestock watering tanks twice a week
• Cover rain barrels with screens
• Clean out gutters and downspouts regularly to prevent clogs that can trap water.
• Purchase an aerator or ornamental pond. This will keep the surface water moving which will make the water inhospitable to mosquito larvae.

 Don't forget that birdbath - hose it out a couple of times a week!