LOS ANGELES — Ohio had the nation’s 12th highest foreclosure rate during the first three months of the year, amid signs that foreclosure activity may be starting to creep higher nationwide.

Foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc. said today that the number of properties repossessed by banks rose 13 percent between February and March, the highest increase in a year. And homes receiving their first notice of default climbed 16 percent.

RealtyTrac said one out of every 206 Ohio households received a foreclosure notice in the first quarter. Nevada had the nation’s highest foreclosure rate for the quarter, with notices going to one in every 35 households.

Many of the factors that have contributed to the foreclosure crisis are likely to continue driving foreclosures this year, including high unemployment and a weak housing market.