For the first time in many months, the number of properties listed for foreclosure in Austin and several Central Texas counties has fallen.

According to figures released by the Foreclosure Listing Service (FLS), the number of properties listed in the Austin Metro area, which includes Travis, Williamson, Hays and Bastrop counties, fell by 11 percent compared to last May.

The figure was the same for Williamson County but more, 14 percent, for Hays County. Bastrop County saw the biggest drop at 27 percent, while Travis saw the smallest at nine percent.

“The decline is welcome news, but I just warn that one month’s activity does not change a long established trend,” FLS President George Roddy said. “Foreclosure postings have been on the high end for some time now.”

Roddy said the posting activity has topped 1,000 listings in the Austin Metro area for the past 16 months. The May figures reflect 1,139 postings as compared to 1,282 for the area; 107 compared to 124 in 2009 for Hays County; 56 compared to 77 in 2009 for Bastrop County; 345 compared to 389 in 2009 for Williamson County and 31 compared to 692 in Travis County.

Roddy said even though the decline is good news, it still means many families will be losing their homes.

“Generally around 90 percent of the postings involve residential homes. To be forced to leave your home is one of the most devastating moments in a family’s life, especially in the American society where we have so much pride in home ownership.”

Regarding year-to-date postings, the metro area and all counties but Bastrop are still showing gains. For the Austin Metro area, there have been a total of 6,548 postings this year compared to 5,366 in 2009 for a gain of 22 percent; in Hays County, there have been 641 this year compared to 550 last for an increase of 17 percent.

The increase in Williamson was 23 percent, 2065 this year so far compared to 1,677 for the first five months of 2009; in Travis County there have been 3,504 in 2010 compared to 2,772 in 2009 for a 26 percent increase.

Bastrop County’s decline is eight percent, with 338 postings this year compared to 367 during the first five months of 2009.

“This five-month level is the highest I have ever seen for this period of time since FLS began tracking foreclosure activity here,” Roddy said.

He noted, though, that “the old saying is true, ‘one man’s misfortune is another man’s gain.’ Although foreclosure brings heartache to the families that have lost their homes, there are buyers out there who are positioned to purchase these homes and benefit from the investment opportunity. That’s just the way it is.”

He said while the decline is good news, the jury’s still out on long-term recovery.