Foreclosure activity across the US is climbing sharply with the number of lenders taking back homes ticking up a whopping 42% in April compared to the same period last year. There were 5,098 completed foreclosures, according to newly released data from property data firm ATTOM, raising fresh concerns about ongoing financial strain on homeowners as elevated mortgage rates and stubborn housing costs continue to squeeze budgets. A total of 42,430 US properties had some kind of foreclosure filing — default notice, scheduled auction or bank repossession — up 18% from a year earlier. Times are tough with foreclosure filings ticking up. steheap – stock.adobe.com Foreclosure starts rose 12% annually to 28,414, continuing a year-long trend of annual increases in foreclosure activity. Although activity remains below pre-pandemic levels, experts warned the year-over-year increases suggest distress is building in parts of the housing market after years of high borrowing costs.…