Hope Now, a voluntary private sector alliance of mortgage servicers, insurers, investors and non-profit counselors, said nationwide foreclosure sales were at roughly 68,000 in May, down 7 percent from April. But foreclosure starts increased 8 percent from the previous month, climbing to 176,000, the group said. Permanent loan modifications for homeowners for May were virtually unchanged from April. Of the 85,000 loan mods completed in May, approximately 53,000 were proprietary and 32,398 were through the Home Affordable Modification Program. Of the proprietary modifications ...