FHA INFO #15-57: Single Family Housing Policy Handbook: Draft Claims and Disposition Section Posted Today for Feedback

Investor Update
August, 5, 2015

Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) posted for stakeholder review and feedback the draft Claims and Disposition section of its Single Family Housing Policy Handbook (SF Handbook; HUD Handbook 4000.1). This posting is a continuation of FHA’s progress toward a consolidated, authoritative SF Handbook that will make it easier to do business with FHA.

The Claims and Disposition section is organized into two subsections. The first subsection—the draft Claims subsection—provides comprehensive and consolidated guidance on the submission of claims for single family FHA mortgage insurance benefits. It consolidates existing claims calculation and submission guidance found in the FHA Single Family Insurance Claims Handbook REV-1 (HUD Handbook 4330.4), subsequent Mortgagee Letters, relevant Housing Notices, and other claims policies and regulations published since 1995. The Claims subsection also covers claims calculations and submissions; post-claim reviews; withdrawal or cancellation of insurance claims; and, debt collection and administrative offsets.

The draft Disposition subsection contains comprehensive guidance on the disposition of HUD Real Estate Owned (REO) single family properties and covers HUD’s Management and Marketing program and all activities from acquisition of title by HUD to disposition of the property. It consolidates existing guidance found in the 1994 Property Disposition Handbook – One to Four Family (HUD Handbook 4310.5), subsequent Mortgagee Letters, relevant Housing Notices, and other disposition policies and regulations published since 1994.

The draft Disposition subsection also includes information on the registration and/or approval processes and compliance policies for Real Estate Brokers and Closing Agents. These policies will be added into the Doing Business with FHAOther Participants in FHA Transactions, and, Quality Control, Oversight, and Compliance—Other Participants in FHA Transactions sections upon final publication.

Review and Feedback

The draft section and supporting information is posted on FHA’s Single Family Housing Policy Drafting Table page. We invite stakeholder feedback on the draft Claims and Disposition section from August 5, 2015 through September 4, 2015. Stakeholders are encouraged to use the respective Feedback Worksheets and feedback submission process outlined on the web page.

Industry Briefing

FHA will host an industry briefing conference call for stakeholders to review the organization and structure of the draft Claims and Disposition section. While the content is geared primarily for servicers and mortgagees, all stakeholders are welcome to participate.

Date: August 12, 2015
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Eastern)
Title: FHA SF—Handbook Draft Claims and Disposition Section
Dial-in: (800) 260-0702, Passcode 365366

Quick Links

Resources

Contact the FHA Resource Center:

  • Visit our online knowledge base to obtain answers to frequently asked questions 24/7 at: www.hud.gov/answers.
  • E-mail the FHA Resource Center at: answers@hud.gov. Emails and phone messages will be responded to during normal hours of operation, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Eastern), Monday through Friday on all non-Federal holidays.
  • Call 1-800-CALLFHA (1-800-225-5342). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may reach this number by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

Please click here to view the online update in its entirety.

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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