The number of foreclosure deeds recorded in November was 20 percent higher than the same month in 2010 and 4 percent higher than the prior month, according to the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority. But the final numbers for 2011 are still expected to show improvement over the year before.

New Hampshire recorded 273 foreclosure deeds in November, compared to 227 in November 2010 and 262 in October 2011. But total foreclosure deeds for the year are expected to reach about 3,700, which would be 6.5 percent fewer than the 2010 total of 3,953, according to the Finance Authority.

The increase in foreclosure deeds last November compared to the same month in 2010 could be a bit deceptive. From October 2010 to February 2011, several large mortgage lenders imposed moratoria on foreclosure proceedings, resulting in lower numbers. A more accurate comparison can be drawn from November 2008, when 295 foreclosure deeds were recorded.

Nevertheless, there is still reason to be concerned about the state’s housing market. “There continue to be significant numbers of New Hampshire households that are delinquent on their mortgage,” a report from the Housing Authority reads.