Archives For: Industry Updates

Biden Allocates $1B to Prepare for Hurricane, Wildfire Season

Florida Phoenix provided coverage of an announcement from President Joe Biden confirming that $1 billion will be directed to the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program to help states prepare for natural disasters.

24 May 2021

Concerns Grow as Foreclosure Moratoria Date Nears

DS News published an article outlining a recent analysis performed by QuoteWizard that shows increasing homeowner and renter concern as end dates for national foreclosure/eviction moratoria continue to approach.

24 May 2021

ATTOM: April 2021 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report

ATTOM Data Solutions released its April 2021 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. The report shows that there were a total of 11,810 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings (default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions).

11 May 2021

California Wildfire Season Already Off to a Fast Start

The Weather Channel published an article outlining accelerated wildfire activity in California that has burned more than 20 square miles since January 1.

6 May 2021

Federal Judge Overturns Centers for Disease Control Eviction Ban

On May 5, HousingWire published an article outlining a decision by a federal judge to overturn the current CDC national eviction moratorium. According to the ruling, the agency does not have the legal authority to impose a nationwide eviction moratorium.

5 May 2021

What is Motivating Distressed-Property Investors?

DS News published an article highlighting findings from Auction.com’s Q1 2021 Buyer Insights Report. According to the report, a number of investors who purchased foreclosed homes during this period rehabbed the properties and sold them back to occupants, which in turn prevented eviction.

5 May 2021

CFPB: Rule Supports CDC COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium

CFPB Acting Director Dave Uejio and FTC Acting Chairwoman Rebecca Kelly Slaughter sent notification letters to the nation’s largest apartment landlords reminding them of federal protections in place to keep tenants in their homes and stop the spread of COVID-19.

3 May 2021

Florida Abandoned Property Act Would Require Securing Wait Period

Florida House Bill 1393 died in the Insurance & Banking Subcommittee. 

30 Apr 2021

Connecticut Bill Would Require Permission for Property Preservation

CT HB 6593 would prevent mortgage servicers (and their agents) from securing, preserving or protecting residential properties without the permission of the owner/occupant or a court order, regardless of the terms of the mortgage agreement.

26 Apr 2021

HUD: Updated Servicing and Loss Mitigation Section of Handbook 4000.1

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced updates to the Servicing and Loss Mitigation section (Section III) of Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1.

19 Apr 2021

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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