NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Sales of homes in foreclosure comprised 20% of all U.S. residential sales during the third quarter, according to RealtyTrac.

That share is a significant decline from the same period in 2010, when foreclosed homes made up 30% of residential sales, but it's still a far cry from levels seen during healthier housing markets when foreclosures comprised less than 5% of sales. In total, 221,536 distressed properties were purchased during the quarter, down 11% from the previous quarter and 5% lower than the same quarter a year earlier, RealtyTrac said.