Despite slight improvements in the state's economy, an alarming number of Minnesotans are still having trouble paying their mortgages. During the first six months of the year there were nearly 10,000 foreclosure sales in the state, according to the Minnesota Homeownership Center based on research by HousingLink. That's down 15 percent from last year, but the rate has remained unchanged during the past three quarters.

Julie Gugin, the MNHOC's executive director, said that while the year-over-year decline is positive, the quarter-to-quarter trends are "discouraging." Click here to see the full mid-year report.