Safeguard Properties

Archives For: Investor and Regulatory Updates

HUD and Puerto Rico Ink $1.5 Billion Disaster Recovery Grant Agreement

Source: HUD Action paves the path to repair housing, businesses and infrastructure WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson and Puerto Rico’s Governor Ricardo Rosselló today announced the formal execution of a $1.5 billion grant agreement to help citizens in Puerto Rico to recover from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The […]

21 Sep 2018

Fannie Mae: Servicing Guide Updates; SMDU Enhancements; and More

Source: Fannie Mae Announcement SVC-2018-06: Servicing Guide updates The Fannie Mae Servicing Guide has been updated with changes that: Transfer payment responsibility from servicers to Fannie Mae for co-op fees and assessments, and property taxes and ground rents, for all properties in Fannie Mae’s REO inventory. Reduce the complexity of Texas Section 50(a)(6) loan modifications under our Cap […]

19 Sep 2018

USDA: Servicing Relief to Borrowers Affected by Hurricane Florence

Source: USDA This announcement outlines relief measures loan holders and loan servicers should implement to assist USDA Rural Development Section 502 Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) borrowers affected by Hurricane Florence. Homeowners impacted by the hurricane may be eligible for temporary relief and the determination of eligibility may require a property inspection. Due to […]

19 Sep 2018

FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2018-14: Servicing Updates

Source: Freddie Mac Please review Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide (Guide) Bulletin 2018-14 for important updates for Servicing Freddie Mac loans. This Guide Bulletin: Updates borrower evaluation notices and solicitation letters. Announces a new temporary reimbursement process for property inspections related to insurance loss settlements. Provides updates related to the Investor Reporting Change Initiative. Updates our reporting requirements for third-party […]

18 Sep 2018

Fannie Mae: Don’t Let Fraud Add to the Pain of a Natural Disaster

Source: Fannie Mae Hurricane Florence has battered the Carolinas and surrounding areas with historic rainfall and flooding, and remnants of the storm are expected to continue for days. Around this same time last year, Hurricane Harvey pummeled many southern U.S. states and Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria, both storms leaving behind unprecedented destruction. While […]

18 Sep 2018

VA: Circular 26-18-18: Special Relief Following Hurricane Florence

Source: VA 1. Purpose. This Circular expresses concern about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan borrowers affected by Hurricane Florence, and describes measures mortgagees may employ to provide relief. Mortgage servicers and borrowers alike should review VA’s Guidance on Natural Disasters to ensure Veterans receive the assistance they need. (https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/documents/docs/va_policy_regarding_natural_disasters. pdf) or https://www.benefits.va.gov/WARMS/docs/admin26/m26_04/Chapter_21.docx. 2. Forbearance Request. VA […]

18 Sep 2018

Fannie Mae Reverse Mortgage Loan Servicing Manual Announcement RVS-2018-03

Source: Fannie Mae Reverse Mortgage Loan Servicing Manual Update The Reverse Mortgage Loan Servicing Manual has been updated to include changes related to the servicer requirement to pay ground rents, co-op fees and assessments, and property taxes for certain properties in Fannie Mae’s REO inventory. This policy change is applicable to all reverse mortgage loans. Relieving […]

18 Sep 2018

HUD: FHA INFO #18-40: Reminder — Guidance for FHA-Approved Mortgagees and Servicers Regarding Presidentially-Declared Major Disaster Areas

Source: HUD Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is issuing this reminder to mortgagees about its guidance for originating and/or servicing FHA-insured forward and reverse mortgages in locations in the U.S. and its territories when the President declares it a major disaster area. This declaration is made when natural or other events are of such severity […]

14 Sep 2018

MHA: HAMP Update: Updated Data Dictionary Posted

Source: MHA In connection with the October 2018 release of the HAMPReporting System, an updated version of the following Data Dictionary was posted on HMPadmin.com: HAMP Data Dictionary – 10/01/2018 Release

14 Sep 2018

FHFA: Refinance Report – July 2018

Source: FHFA July 2018 Highlights Total refinance volume decreased in July 2018 as mortgage rates in June remained above the levels observed in 2017.  Mortgage rates decreased in July: the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell to 4.53 percent from 4.57 percent in June. In July 2018: Borrowers completed 696 refinances through […]

13 Sep 2018

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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