The short answer is not very common at all. Here are the latest numbers from the Wisconsin Circuit Court. 

Dane County foreclosures through April 2026

A total of 89 Madison area foreclosures were filed through the first 4 months of the year, essentially even with 90 foreclosure filings during the same time last year.

Note from the chart below that Dane County foreclosures continue to trend near historically low levels. This year's pace is 85 percent lower than the peak foreclosure pace in 2010, when 612 foreclosures were filed through the month of April. 

How historically low foreclosure totals impact our market

We're happy to know that relatively few homeowners are facing foreclosure in Dane County. Distressed property listings continue to be a rare occurrence in the Madison area, with very little impact on our local supply of homes and condos. 

A tip for buyers

If you're a buyer seeking to purchase a Madison area property at a good value, we don't recommend limiting your search to foreclosures. Instead, cast a wide a net and consider all possible sources of inventory. A good buyer agent will help you put a comprehensive search in place.