Fannie Mae: SVC-2017-06: Servicing Guide Updates

Investor Update
July 12, 2017

The Servicing Guide has been updated to include changes related to Property Inspection and Preservation Updates.

These policy changes also apply to Home Keeper® loans but are not applicable to Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) loans.

The affected topics for these policy changes are included below. Servicers should review the Servicing Guide and the Property Preservation Matrix and Reference Guide to gain a full understanding of the changes.

Property Inspection and Preservation Updates

In response to industry feedback and in an effort to better serve our customers, we are

  • updating the Property Preservation Matrix and Reference Guide to provide servicers with more specific and
    detailed procedures for preserving and completing inspections for properties that secure delinquent mortgage
    loans;
  • restructuring Servicing Guide D2-2-10, Requirements for Performing Property Inspections, to clarify requirements
    for ordering and completing inspections for properties that secure mortgage loans that are in default; and
  • making the process easier for completing maintenance work by adding or updating reimbursement limits in
    Servicing Guide F-1-06, Expense Reimbursement, for the following:
  • moisture control,
  • address discoloration,
  • roof cleaning,
  • repair/replace fascia,
  • repair/replace soffits,
  • emergency pump water,
  • plumbing services,
  • utility service – initial service and per month,
  • code violations for fines/fees/liens,
  • cleaning toilet – life of loan maximum expense limit added,
  • repair/replace fence gate/lania,
  • repair/replace exterior door, and
  • repair/replace exterior door jamb.

Additionally, Servicing Guide E-3.3-03, Inspecting Properties Prior to Foreclosure Sale, has been updated to change the number of days to complete an inspection from 30 to 35 days prior to the foreclosure sale.

Additional Servicing Guide Topics Impacted

References to the revised Property Preservation Matrix and Reference Guide were added to the following topics:

Effective Date

Policy changes must be implemented by October 1, 2017. However, servicers are encouraged to implement the updated expense limits and guidelines for these policy changes as of the date of this Announcement.

Contact your Customer Delivery Team, Portfolio Manager, or Fannie Mae’s Single-Family Servicer Support Center at 1-800-2FANNIE (1-800-232-6643) with any questions regarding this Announcement.

Carlos T. Perez
Senior Vice President and
Chief Credit Officer for Single-Family

Source: Fannie Mae

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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