This likely will be a rough year for commercial foreclosure postings in Denton County and the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to information released Thursday by Foreclosure Listing Service Inc.

Commercial foreclosure postings in Denton County increased 44 percent for the first five months of the year, and that trend likely will continue, said George Roddy Sr., president of the Addison-based company.

There were 50 more commercial foreclosure postings in Denton County for January through May compared with the same time last year, according to the data.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area — including Denton County — experienced a 63 percent increase in commercial foreclosure postings, with 536 more properties listed, according to the data.

Many of the commercial properties listed for foreclosure were purchased during a boom time for commercial real estate, and owners can’t afford to keep the properties without refinancing, he said.

“The money isn’t available to refinance. … People would take out five-year loan notes, and they are coming due this year and next year,” Roddy said. “The fact is, it is harder to get a loan.”

Commercial foreclosure postings will continue to increase during the next six to seven months as five-year notes come due, he said.

“In 2010, we’ll probably see most of the worst times,” he said. “We expect to see a growing number of commercial foreclosures.”

Lending has become a double-edged sword for commercial real estate, with those going into foreclosure unable to secure a loan and investors unable to borrow to purchase property, Roddy said.

Lenders also are having a difficult time determining commercial real estate values as the market fluctuates, he said.

Pent-up demand from investors could help lead to recovery by the first or second quarter of 2011, Roddy said.

CANDACE CARLISLE can be reached at 940-566-6889. Her e-mail address is ccarlisle@dentonrc.com .

Information released Thursday by Foreclosure Listing Service Inc. showed that Denton County commercial foreclosure postings for the first five months of 2010 increased 44 percent compared with postings reported for the same period last year.