Safeguard Properties

FHA Adds 40-Year Mortgage Modification with Partial Claim to Home Retention Options for Struggling Borrowers

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 18, 2022

Source:  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced that it is adding a new, 40-year mortgage modification option for mortgage servicers to use in conjunction with its partial claim option to assist additional borrowers who are behind on their mortgage payments for FHA Title II forward mortgages. This new loss mitigation home retention option is designed to help those borrowers who cannot achieve a minimum targeted 25 percent reduction in the Principal and Interest portion of their mortgage payment through FHA’s existing 30-year mortgage modification with a partial claim.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – Nebraska Road 702 Fire

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 23, 2022

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Nebraska to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Road 702 Fire on April 22, 2022.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Frontier
  • Furnas
  • Red Willow

 

Nebraska Road 702 Fire (FM-5436-NE)

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

‘Zombie Properties’ – Abandoned Homes – can be Reported with a New Tool in Monroe County and Rochester

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 18, 2022

Source:  wxxinews.org

If you notice any abandoned houses around Rochester and Monroe County, there’s now an online tool to report it.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Rochester Mayor Malik Evans announced a new website to help identify and respond to vacant and abandoned buildings known as “zombie properties.”

“Many residents tell me that vacant properties are among the most concerning issues they face in their neighborhoods,” Bello said in a statement. “Vacant and abandoned properties — so-called ‘zombie’ homes — are a dangerous blight on our community.”

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, these dilapidated properties pose risks to the public health and welfare of neighbors, and they’re often linked to higher rates of crime.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan to Eliminate Vacant Properties in St. Louis Moves to Senate

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 15, 2022

Source:  St. Louis Business Journal

A new plan to help eliminate vacant properties in St. Louis got a thumbs up from the Missouri House of Representatives on Thursday.

House Bill 2218, sponsored by Rep. Michael O’Donnell, R-Oakville, passed on an 111-13 vote.

Aging eyesores can be seen in almost every part of St. Louis.  There are nearly 25,000 vacant properties, according to data from the city.

The bill would change the way buildings with unpaid taxes are sold at auction, and add penalties and regulations requiring owners to maintain and pay delinquent taxes on vacant properties.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – Arizona Crooks Fire

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 19, 2022

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Arizona to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Crooks Fire on April 18, 2022.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Yavapai

 

Arizona Crooks Fire (FM-5435-AZ)

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 – Arizona Tunnel 2 Fire

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 19, 2022

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Arizona to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Tunnel 2 Fire on April 19, 2022 and continuing.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Coconino

 

Arizona Tunnel 2 Fire (FM-5434-AZ)

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

Gateless Integrates with Fannie and Freddie Tech; Partners with Google

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 19, 2022

Source:  nextmortgagenews.com

Mortgage tech company Gateless has integrated Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter® into its Gateless Smart Underwrite™ solution, making the loan process more efficient for all stakeholders through more efficient data validation, the company announced.

Gateless also announced the integration of Freddie Mac Loan Product Advisor®, allowing the system to take “immediate advantage” of policy changes and/or new product features and enhancing automation for all Gateless customers.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MBA: ‘Remarkable’ Forbearance Recovery

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 19, 2022

Source:  bankerandtradesman.com

 The number of borrowers in forbearance has dropped in less than two years by nearly 4 million in what the Mortgage Bankers Association called a “remarkable recovery.”

In its monthly Loan Monitoring Survey released this week, the MBA said the total number of loans now in forbearance decreased by 13 basis points from 1.18 percent of servicers’ portfolio volume in February to 1.05 percent in March. The MBA estimates that 525,000 homeowners are in forbearance plans, down from an estimated 4.3 million in June 2020.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Massachusetts Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 18, 2022

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Massachusetts to supplement commonwealth, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm and snowstorm from January 28-29, 2022.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Bristol
  • Norfolk
  • Plymouth
  • Suffolk

 

Massachusetts Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (DR-4651-MA)

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

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

Legislature Advances Bill to Create Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 13, 2022

Source:  Mainebiz

A bill that would create a statewide land bank for bringing properties into more productive uses has advanced through the state Legislature and has received overwhelming bipartisan support.

In a vote of 117-16 on Monday, the House gave initial approval to LD 1694, which would establish the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority. The Senate passed the bill unanimously on Tuesday. The legislation is sponsored by state Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport.

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