Safeguard Properties

Archives For: Industry Updates

Vacant “Zombie” Foreclosures Increase to 3.1 Percent Nationwide

ATTOM Data Solutions recently issued its Q1 2020 Vacant Property and Zombie Foreclosure Report. According to its findings, 1.5 percent of single-family homes and condos in the U.S. are vacant.

27 Feb 2020

Auction.com: 2020 Default Servicing Industry Insights

Auction.com recently announced results from its 2020 Default Servicing Insights report. The results are based on a survey of more than 40 of the nation’s largest bank and non-bank default servicing clients along with representatives from government agencies involved in the servicing and disposition of distressed properties.

26 Feb 2020

Alabama Among Worst in Nation for Empty Housing

Al.com published a report detailing vacant property rates in Alabama. Currently, the state ranks fourth in the country for raw vacancy, with more than 18 percent of statewide housing units reported as empty.

25 Feb 2020

Erie County Introduces “ZOMBIE Watch”

WBEN published a report outlining the introduction of Erie County, N.Y.’s “ZOMBIE Watch”, a new program created through the county clerk’s ZOMBIES Initiative.

22 Feb 2020

CFPB: Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Time-Barred Debt Disclosures

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the collection of time-barred debt.

21 Feb 2020

President Trump Announces Nomination for Federal Housing Commissioner

President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate Dana T. Wade to be the assistant secretary for housing, federal housing commissioner.

20 Feb 2020

California Bill Aims to Fine Companies in Possession of Vacant Homes

California Senate Bill 1079 would allow jurisdictions (cities/counties) to impose fines on corporations owning multiple single-family homes that have been vacant for more than 90 days. It also would grant tenants the right of first refusal to purchase foreclosed properties. The legislation was introduced on February 19.

19 Feb 2020

Freddie Mac: FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2020-02

Freddie Mac issued a release announcing servicing updates related to cooperative share loans and voluntary partial cancellations.

12 Feb 2020

Allegany County Land Bank Aims for Busy 2020

The Olean Times Herald published an article discussing upcoming initiatives slated for the Allegany County (NY) Land Bank Corporation.

11 Feb 2020

MBA: Mortgage Delinquencies Decrease in Fourth Quarter of 2019

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) highlighted key findings from its fourth quarter 2019 National Delinquency Survey.

11 Feb 2020

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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