Safeguard Properties

Archives For: Industry Updates

Plan to Eliminate Vacant Properties in St. Louis Moves to Senate

A bill to eliminate vacant properties throughout St. Louis was passed by the Missouri House of Representatives last week.

15 Apr 2022

Current Mortgage Rates Hit 5% for the First Time in a Decade

The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has climbed to 5% for the first time in more than 10 years, according to Freddie Mac.

14 Apr 2022

Legislature Advances Bill to Create Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority

A bill that would create a statewide land bank for bringing properties into more productive uses has advanced through the state Legislature and has received overwhelming bipartisan support.

13 Apr 2022

Puerto Rico Plunged into Darkness after Power Station Fire

A major power outage hit Puerto Rico late Wednesday, plunging nearly 350,000 customers into darkness after a fire erupted at one of the largest power plants in the U.S. territory.

7 Apr 2022

St. Petersburg is Transforming Vacant Lots into Affordable Housing

By dealing aggressively with the owners of dilapidated homes and vacant lots, St. Petersburg has improved its housing stock — and is transforming some vacant lots into affordable housing in the process.

7 Apr 2022

City, Partners Present Updated Framework for Tackling Flint’s Blight

The city of Flint, the Genesee County Land Bank Authority, and the Flint Police Foundation shared a new $154 million, five-year framework to address the city’s blight.

6 Apr 2022

Fannie Mae Introduces Expanded Housing Choice Initiative to Increase Access to Affordable Housing

Fannie Mae announced its Expanded Housing Choice initiative, providing a new pricing incentive for Texas and North Carolina multifamily property owners who accept U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Choice Vouchers.

4 Apr 2022

Thompson says FHFA is Preparing GSEs for End of Conservatorship

The Federal Housing Finance Agency is preparing the government-sponsored enterprises for life after conservatorship, acting director Sandra Thompson said Thursday.

1 Apr 2022

McKee Announces $5 Million to Address Rhode Island Blight

Governor Dan McKee announced more than $5 million will be allocated to revitalize blighted and vacant properties in Central Falls and Providence areas of Rhode Island.

1 Apr 2022

FHA Issues Guidance on Property Preservation Expenses

The Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a mortgagee letter aimed at clarifying contingencies around property protection and preservation reimbursement for loans that have a first legal foreclosure action filed on or after March 31.

30 Mar 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