Notices of default against California homes dropped 17% in the second quarter from the first quarter and 19.2% from the second quarter of 2010. Banks repossessed 10.9% fewer homes than a year ago and 1.4% fewer than in the first quarter.The number of Californians entering foreclosure dropped steeply in the second quarter to the lowest level since 2007, a sign the foreclosure crisis in the Golden State could be easing as the housing market stabilizes and regulators increase scrutiny of lenders.