Some good news emerged today about foreclosures in Massachusetts. Fewer properties have been foreclosed on so far this year compared to 2008, according to a new report from The Warren Group.

But before any pronouncements are made that the foreclosure crisis is over, here is something to consider:

Lenders haven’t really slowed down on starting foreclosure proceedings.

In fact, in some Bay State towns, lenders are initiating foreclosures at more than double last year’s rate.

In the small town of Spencer in central Massachusetts, lenders filed triple the number of petitions to foreclose during the first eight months of 2009 compared to the same period last year. (Lenders file petitions to foreclose in Massachusetts Land Court after a borrower misses mortgage payments.)

Natick had 50 foreclosure petitions, more than double the petitions that were filed a year earlier.

North Shore towns like Beverly, Danvers and Gloucester and South Shore communities like Lakeville had twice as many foreclosure petitions as they did in 2008.

Experts predict that rising unemployment will lead to a second wave of foreclosure. In Massachusetts, unemployment has risen for three consecutive months and is now at about 9 percent.

And just yesterday, Equifax reported that mortgage delinquencies crept up nationwide …Foreclosures may be down, but there are thousands of homeowners who are struggling.