The number of McHenry County homes entering the foreclosure process rose in February.

McHenry County foreclosure starts – when a home with a mortgage gone unpaid is placed on a countdown clock to possible foreclosure – totaled 234 in February, up from 193 in January, foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc. said Thursday. There were 267 foreclosure starts in McHenry County in February 2012.

Kane County foreclosure starts were 326 in February, 265 in January, and 272 in Feburary 2012; and Lake County foreclosure starts were 290 in February, 356 in January, and 438 in February 2012.