U.S. states where the housing crisis drags on

The residential foreclosure rate is now below pre-recession levels in 12 states, and the national foreclosure rate has dropped to its lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2006, RealtyTrac reports in its latest quarterly and monthly analysis of foreclosure data. Meanwhile, many of the states hit hardest by the mortgage meltdown in 2008 saw an increase of foreclosure activity in March.

The data looks at how many residential properties have a foreclosure filing -- notice of default, scheduled auction or bank repossession -- and how those figures compare to foreclosure filings in previous months and years.

Defaulting on a home loan or going through a foreclosure can have devastating effects on a homeowner's credit standing, and foreclosure can affect the community, as well, by lowering property values, though that can be advantageous for buyers. You can see how your home loan or foreclosure is affecting your credit by reviewing your free credit report summary every 30 days on Credit.com, and if you're having trouble making home loan payments, here are some tips you may want to consider.

In the first quarter of 2016, the U.S. foreclosure rate declined 3.58 percent from the previous quarter and 7.77 percent from the first quarter of 2015. Though foreclosure filings increased a bit from February to March (up about 11 percent), March's foreclosure activity was still lower than it was last year (a 10.72 percent decrease).

Five of the 10 states with the highest foreclosure rates in March also saw annual decreases in activity, but the foreclosure landscape hasn't changed all that much. Nine of the 10 states with the highest foreclosure rates in March 2016 were also on that top 10 list in March 2015.

Here's the most recent breakdown.