Safeguard Properties

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – New Mexico Wildfires and Straight-line Winds

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
May 4, 2022

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of New Mexico to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires and straight-line winds beginning on April 5 and continuing.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • Colfax
  • Lincoln
  • Mora
  • San Miguel
  • Valencia

Public Assistance:

  • Colfax
  • Lincoln
  • Mora
  • San Miguel
  • Valencia

 

New Mexico Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds (DR-4652-NM)

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for New Mexico

Map of Affected Areas

Zip Codes of Affected Areas

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

Home Affordability is Nearly the Worst on Record as Mortgage Rates Spike

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
May 2, 2022

Source: CNBC

Mortgage rates just hit their highest level since 2009, and home prices are continuing to experience double-digit gains. Now, nearly all of the major housing markets in the United States are less affordable than they have been historically, and affordability is near its worst point on record.

New calculations from Black Knight, a mortgage technology and data provider, show that 95% of the 100 biggest U.S. housing markets are less affordable than their long-term levels. That figure was at 6% at the start of the COVID pandemic. Thirty-seven markets are less affordable than they have ever been.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FHFA to Make Supplemental Consumer Information Form Mandatory

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
May 3, 2022

Source: ABA Banking Journal

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will now require lenders to use the Supplemental Consumer Information Form, which collects information about the borrower’s language preference, if any, as well as information on any homebuyer education or housing counseling the borrower received, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fannie REO Inventory Increased in Q1 YoY; Expected to Increase Further in 2022

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
May 3, 2022

Source: Calculated Risk

Fannie reported results for Q1 2022. Here is some information on single-family Real Estate Owned (REOs).

Fannie Mae reported the number of REO increased to 7,430 at the end of Q1 2022 compared to 6,918 at the end of Q1 2021.

For Fannie, this is down 96% from the 166,787 peak number of REOs in Q3 2010.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – New Mexico Calf Canyon Fire

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 30, 2022

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of New Mexico to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Calf Canyon Fire on April 20, 2022.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • San Miguel

 

New Mexico Calf Canyon Fire (FM-5438-NM)

Zip Codes of Affected Areas

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – New Mexico Cook’s Peak Fire

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 28, 2022

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of New Mexico to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Cook’s Peak Fire on April 28, 2022.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Colfax

 

New Mexico Cook’s Peak Fire (FM-5437-NM)

Zip Codes of Affected Areas

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

Franklin County Officials Eye Land Bank to Address Vacant Housing

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 26, 2022

Source: Adirondack Daily Enterprise

The Franklin County Economic Development Corp. and county legislators are discussing establishing a county land bank to address blighted properties and vacant houses.

Jeremy Evans, CEO of the development corporation, told legislators during their regular meeting Thursday morning that FCEDC officials and county officials have already been talking about regional land banks. Those conversations, he said, have involved FCEDC Director S. Russ Kinyon, Legislative Chair Donald Dabiew, County Manager Donna Kissane and Legislator Lindy Ellis.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City of Cape Working on Plans to Demolish Unsafe Buildings

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 26, 2022

Source:  Southeast Missiourian

Cape Girardeau officials want to make the city a bit safer by demolishing unsafe and abandoned buildings.

According to Cape Girardeau’s city manager Kenny Haskin, residents in the city often report illegal activities occurring in abandoned, structurally unsafe buildings.

The proposal includes using $125,000 from American Rescue Plan funds and will provide enough money to triple the amount of funding for the removal of abandoned or unsafe buildings. The proposal is part of Cape Girardeau’s safety initiative and aims to decrease the crime rate in the area.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schenectady Awarded for Work Combating Urban Blight

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 26, 2022

Source:  Spectrum News 1

Thirteen vacant Schenectady properties have been demolished as part of the city’s efforts to mitigate urban blight.

Signal Superintendent John Coluccio has worked with the city of Schenectady on the Community Officials Data Exchange (CODE) program. The project shares information about abandoned homes and problem property owners.

The program, which has been 8 years in the making, has recently won national recognition. Schenectady was honored for its CODE administration by the International Data Corporation in its annual Smart Cities North America awards.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Knight: Mortgage Delinquencies Hit Record Low in March, Driven by Both Seasonal and Economic Improvements

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 25, 2022

Source:  CISION PR Newswire

Black Knight, Inc. reports the following “first look” at March 2022 month-end mortgage performance statistics derived from its loan-level database representing the majority of the national mortgage market.

Total U.S. loan delinquency rate (loans 30 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure): 2.84%
Month-over-month change: -15.46%
Year-over-year change: -43.46%

Total U.S. foreclosure pre-sale inventory rate: 0.32%
Month-over-month change: 3.70%
Year-over-year change: 3.94%

Total U.S. foreclosure starts: 24,300        
Month-over-month change: -2.80%
Year-over-year change: 386.00%

Monthly prepayment rate (SMM): 1.22%
Month-over-month change: 8.76%
Year-over-year change: -63.54%

Foreclosure sales as % of 90+: 0.42%
Month-over-month change: 39.01%
Year-over-year change: 172.90%

Number of properties that are 30 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure: 1,513,000
Month-over-month change: -270,000
Year-over-year change: -1,159,000

Number of properties that are 90 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure: 694,000
Month-over-month change: -93,000
Year-over-year change: -1,225,000

Number of properties in foreclosure pre-sale inventory: 169,000
Month-over-month change: 7,000
Year-over-year change: 7,000

Number of properties that are 30 or more days past due or in foreclosure: 1,682,000
Month-over-month change: -264,000
Year-over-year change: -1,152,000

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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