According to the Warren Group, a Boston-based provider of real estate data and research, Massachusetts foreclosure activity posted double digit decreases in both starts and completed foreclosures in January. Foreclosure petitions and deeds dropped in every county in the state.

“Slowing foreclosure activity could be a result of several factors,” said Vincent M. Valvo, group publisher and

editor-in-chief of Banker & Tradesman, an industry trade publication that is put out by the Warren Group. “Unfortunately, it’s more likely that the reduction is caused by lenders slowing their processes rather than improved financial stability among homeowners.”

Foreclosure petitions dropped almost 58 percent statewide from a year earlier to 793. Petitions, which mark the first step in the foreclosure process in Massachusetts, were up slightly, however from 733 in December 2010. January marks the second consecutive month petitions fell below 1,000.

Foreclosure deeds, which represent completed foreclosures, sunk 59 percent in January to 468 from 1,141 deeds recorded the year prior. Deeds also decreased from a month earlier when there were 481 recorded.

Auction announcements also dropped in January. A total of 1,122 auction notices were tracked that month, a near 53 percent drop from the same month last year. Auction announcements, however, increased in January from 1,076 in December.