BROOME COUNTY, N.Y. -- Home foreclosures are part of the nationwide mortgage crisis, but not so much in Broome County. Local realtor Randy Templeman teaches a class on foreclosures and explains why.

"We never saw a real spike up in home sales or in prices that other markets did. As a result, we didn't see a lot of buyers going into sub-prime mortgages or creative financing that resulted in often times people losing their ability to make their mortgage payments," said Templeman.

According to RealtyTrac data, the Hudy's case, an Endicott family in danger of losing their home, is the exception rather than the rule.

Since January, 208 foreclosure notices have been listed in Broome County, around one for every 1,200 households. This stacks up favorably with state and national numbers, which sit at one in 550 and one in 194, respectively.

Overall, Broome County's foreclosure rates have risen modestly over the past few quarters. Still, state officials want to ensure home buyers are protected as indicated by the recent legislation signed by Governor Paterson.

"Basically what we're trying to do is make sure that homeowners are given a 90 day pre-foreclosure notice and they're also given resources so that they can perhaps avoid this foreclosure from happening," said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo.

Real estate analysts say the mortgage crisis nationally is far from over. But will Broome County remain a foreclosure safe haven?

Experts we talked to said Broome County foreclosure rates should remain about the same.

In order to keep the rates down, realtors we spoke with offered some advice for home buyers. First, always be wary of shady lending, and don't bite off more home than you can chew.