Tampa Bay area property owners were hit with 10 percent fewer foreclosure filings in November compared to a month earlier. Some media outlets are crediting Gov. Charlie Crist's foreclosure "moratorium."

Sorry but that doesn't fly. Crist didn't cut a deal with bankers until the last few days of November. What's more, the agreement to halt foreclosures for 45 days was a modest giveaway: Filings tend to slow as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years shut down court houses.

The firm RealtyTrac reported 6,783 foreclosure filings in the Tampa Bay area in November. October's number was 7,553. Filings were down in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties, but up in Hernando County.

Here's a county-by-county breakdown: Download realtytracnov08.xls

RealtyTrac said November's national foreclosure activity was the lowest since June, but cautioned that more homeowners are falling behind on monthly mortgage payments.

Based on our lackluster home sales and high inventory of properties for sale, it's way too early to say foreclosures have peaked. A one-month decline does not a reassuring trend make.