Safeguard Properties

Archives For: Industry Updates

Share of Mortgage Loans in Forbearance Remains Flat at .7% in November

The MBA Monthly Loan Monitoring Survey revealed that the total number of loans now in forbearance remained flat relative to the prior month at 0.70% as of November 30, 2022.

19 Dec 2022

How Hartford Land Bank Helps City Residents Turn Blighted Properties into Homeownership Opportunities

The Hartford Land Bank is working with Hartford-based developers to invest in blighted properties in the city, with the hope of driving better living conditions and potential for homeownership in the tenant-dominated city.

17 Dec 2022

Mortgage Rates Drop for Fifth Week in a Row

Mortgage rates fell once again this week, dipping for the fifth straight week in a row. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed rate is currently at 6.31%.

15 Dec 2022

FHFA Sets New Percentage-Based Benchmark for Multifamily Housing Goals

FHFA has finalized the benchmark levels for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s multifamily housing goals for 2023 and 2024.

15 Dec 2022

OCC Reports Improvement in Overall Mortgage Performance

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) reported that the performance of first-lien mortgages in the federal banking system improved during the third quarter of 2022.

15 Dec 2022

Following NY Zombie Home Law, Fewer Abandoned, Unsightly Homes on Staten Island

Since a 2016 state law was enacted to help reduce the zombie property epidemic across New York, there are 311 fewer abandoned properties on Staten Island.

13 Dec 2022

$1 Million in ARPA Funds to Build Affordable Housing in Clark County

Over the next 3 years, Clark County will build approximately 12 affordable homes on land owned by the Clark County Land Reutilization Corporation, also known as the Land Bank.

9 Dec 2022

U.S. Foreclosure Completions Increase Annually by 64 Percent in November 2022

ATTOM has released its November 2022 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, showing U.S. properties with foreclosure filings up 57% from a year ago.

8 Dec 2022

Toledo, Land Bank Awarded $9.8 Million to Demolish Blighted Properties

Toledo and the Lucas County Land Bank have been awarded $9.8 million to demolish vacant homes affecting the city with blight.

6 Dec 2022

Fannie Mae Introduces Enhancements to Help Expand Homeownership Opportunities for Underserved Borrowers

Fannie Mae announced enhancements to its automated underwriting system designed to expand eligibility to homebuyers who do not have a credit score.

6 Dec 2022

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CEO

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the Chief Executive Officer for Safeguard Properties, steering the company as the mortgage field services industry leader. He also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Alan joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2002, and was named CEO in May 2010. His hands-on experience has given him unique insights as a leader to innovate, improve and strengthen Safeguard’s processes to assure that the company adheres to the highest standards of quality and customer service.

Under Alan’s leadership, Safeguard has grown significantly with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiency to clients, and strategic acquisitions. He takes a team approach to process improvement, involving staff at all levels of the organization to address issues, brainstorm solutions, and identify new and better ways to serve clients.

In 2008, Alan was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in its annual “40-Under-40” profile of young leaders. He also was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award finalist in 2013.

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Esq., General Counsel and EVP

Linda Erkkila

Linda Erkkila is the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Safeguard Properties, with oversight of legal, human resources, training, and compliance. Linda’s broad scope of oversight covers regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, insurance, litigation and claims management, and counsel related to mergers, acquisition and joint ventures.

Linda assures that Safeguard’s strategic initiatives align with its resources, leverage opportunities across the company, and contemplate compliance mandates. She has practiced law for 25 years and her experience, both as outside and in-house counsel, covers a wide range of corporate matters, including regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, compensation and benefits, litigation management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Linda earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. Linda was previously named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

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COO

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Properties, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company in July 2010. Initially brought on as Vice President of REO, Mike’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision quickly propelled him to Vice President of Operations in 2013, and ultimately to COO in 2015. Over his 14-year tenure at Safeguard, Mike has been instrumental in driving change and fostering innovation within the Property Preservation sector, consistently delivering excellence and becoming a trusted partner to clients and investors.

A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike earned a degree in Quantitative Economics. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Branch, where he specialized in supply chain management. Before his tenure at Safeguard, Mike honed his expertise by managing global supply chains for 13 years, leveraging his military and civilian experience to lead with precision and efficacy.

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CFO

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard Properties. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, and Information Security departments. At the core of his responsibilities is the drive to ensure that Safeguard’s focus remains rooted in Customer Service = Resolution. Through his executive leadership role, he actively supports SGPNOW.com, an on-demand service geared towards real estate and property management professionals as well as individual home owners in need of inspection and property preservation services. Joe is also an integral force behind Compliance Connections, a branch of Safeguard Properties that allows code enforcement professionals to report violations at properties that can then be addressed by the Safeguard vendor network. Compliance Connections also researches and shares vacant property ordinance information with Safeguard clients.

Joe has an MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program.

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Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties