Page 12 – Safeguard Properties

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Hawaii Holomua Fire (FM-5613-FI)

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – Hawaii Holomua Fire

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
September 23, 2025

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Hawaii to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the Holomua Fire on September 23, 2025. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

Maui

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Wisconsin Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (DR-4892-WI)

US YoY Foreclosure Activity Rises for Sixth Straight Month in August

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Safeguard

Industry Update
September 10, 2025

Source: ATTOM

ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property data, and real estate analytics, today released its August 2025 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows there were a total of 35,697 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings— default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions — down 1 percent from a month ago but up 18 percent from a year ago.

“August marked the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year increases in U.S. foreclosure activity and the third straight month with double-digit annual growth,” said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM. “While overall levels remain below those seen before the pandemic, the ongoing rise in both foreclosure starts and completions suggests that some homeowners may be experiencing added financial strain in the current high-cost and high-interest-rate environment.”

The worst foreclosure rates were in Nevada, South Carolina, and Florida

Nationwide, one in every 3,987 housing units had a foreclosure filing in August 2025. States with the worst foreclosure rates were Nevada (one in every 2,069 housing units with a foreclosure filing); South Carolina (one in every 2,152 housing units); Florida (one in every 2,512 housing units).

Among the 225 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000, those with the worst foreclosure rates in August 2025 were Lakeland, FL (one in every 1,212 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Columbia, SC (one in every 1,347 housing units); Chico, CA (one in every 1,545 housing units); Cleveland, OH (one in every 1,755 housing units); and Ocala, FL (one in every 1,816 housing units).

Those major metropolitan areas with a population greater than 1 million with the worst foreclosure rates in August 2025 besides Cleveland were: Las Vegas, NV (one in every 1,817 housing units); Jacksonville, FL (one in every 2,057 housing units); Houston, TX (one in every 2,195 housing units); and Orlando, FL (one in every 2,210 housing units).

Texas, Florida, and California led the nation in foreclosure starts

Lenders started the foreclosure process on 24,254 U.S. properties in August 2025, down slightly at 0.2 percent from last month but up 16.9 percent from a year ago.

States that had the greatest number of foreclosure starts in August 2025 included: Texas (2,982 foreclosure starts); Florida (2,803 foreclosure starts); California (2,558 foreclosure starts); New York (1,207 foreclosure starts); and Illinois (1,170 foreclosure starts).

Those major metropolitan areas with a population greater than 1 million that had the greatest number of foreclosure starts in August 2025 included: New York, NY (1,431 foreclosure starts); Houston, TX (1,178 foreclosure starts); Chicago, IL (1,009 foreclosure starts); Los Angeles, CA (862 foreclosure starts); and Miami, FL (748 foreclosure starts).

Foreclosure completions up from same time last year

Lenders repossessed 4,077 U.S. properties through completed foreclosures (REOs) in August 2025, an increase of 5 percent from last month and an increase of 41 percent from last year.

States that had the greatest number of REOs in August 2025, included: Texas (476 REOs); California (343 REOs); New York (319 REOs); Florida (276 REOs); and Illinois (232 REOs).

Those major metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with a population greater than 1 million that saw the greatest number of REOs in August 2025 included: Chicago, IL (159 REOs); New York, NY (137 REOs); Houston, TX (109 REOs); San Antonio, TX (96 REOs); and Dallas, TX (79 REOs).

Conclusion

The August 2025 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report reveals a continued upward trend in foreclosure activity, marking the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year growth and the third straight month of double-digit increases. A total of 35,697 U.S. properties had foreclosure filings during the month, representing an 18% increase compared to August 2024, despite a slight 1% decline from July 2025. Both key components of foreclosure activity rose year over year: foreclosure starts jumped 17% to over 24,000 filings, while completed foreclosures (REOs) surged 41%, totaling more than 4,000 nationwide. Despite remaining below pre-pandemic levels, the persistent rise in both foreclosure starts and completions may signal increasing financial strain for some homeowners amid elevated home prices and interest rates.

For full report, please click the source link above.

ICE First Look at Mortgage Performance: Delinquencies Up; Foreclosure Activity Trending Higher

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Safeguard

Industry Update
September 24, 2025

Source: Ice Mortgage Technology

ICE Mortgage Technology, neutral provider of a robust end-to-end mortgage platform and part of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE), released its August 2025 ICE First Look at mortgage delinquency, foreclosure and prepayment trends. The data shows the national delinquency rate rose in August, largely driven by a calendar anomaly, while foreclosure activity continued its slow upward trend.

“The rise in the national delinquency rate for August is best understood in the context of how the calendar can impact payment processing,” said Andy Walden, Head of Mortgage and Housing Market Research at ICE. “Most of the uptick in the national delinquency rate can be attributed to delayed processing of end-of-month payments, as August closed on a Sunday this year. This calendar-driven effect is consistent with what we observed in prior years, so the increase should be considered a temporary adjustment rather than a shift in underlying borrower health.”

Key takeaways from this month’s findings include:

The national delinquency rate rose by 16 basis points (bps) in August to 3.43%, up 10 bps from the same time last year, marking a return to annual increases after temporary reprieves in June and July.

Mortgage delinquencies typically face little seasonal pressure from July to August, but the last day of August 2025 falling on a Sunday resulted in delayed processing and temporarily higher delinquency rolls. For instance, August 2003, 2008, and 2014 also ended on a Sunday, each experiencing a delinquency rise averaging 5.3%. This is similar to the 5.0% rise observed this year – suggesting that much of August’s delinquency rise may have been driven by the way the calendar fell.

FHA loans continue to see the largest annual increases, with the non-current rate (delinquencies including foreclosures) up by 86 bps to 12.0% in August, while the non-current rates for VA, GSE, and portfolio-held mortgages remained effectively flat year over year.

Serious delinquencies (loans 90+ days past due but not in foreclosure) rose by 16,000 in August and are up 32,000 year over year, while loans in active foreclosure increased by 3,000 for the month and 23,000 since last year.

Foreclosure starts rose year-over-year (+6%) for the ninth consecutive month, and foreclosure sales (+22.5%) are up from the same time last year for the sixth consecutive month, contributing to a 12.3% annual increase in foreclosure inventory.

Inflows and transitions to later stages of delinquency increased across the board, while cures to current from both early- and late-stage delinquency fell.

August prepayment activity slipped by 1 bp to a 0.66% single month mortality (SMM) rate, reflecting seasonal home buying patterns and relatively steady interest rates in July.

For full report, please click the source link above.

FHFA Withdraws from Green Finance Coalition

Posted on September 25, 2025September 25, 2025 by Safeguard

Industry Update
September 23, 2025

Source: Dodd Frank Update

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte announced the FHFA would withdraw from the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) on Sept. 19.

The NGFS is a coalition of 114 central banks and financial supervisors, formed in 2017 to promote green finance and provide a framework for how central banks can help to address climate change, in accordance with goals described in the Paris Agreement.

The U.S. announced its intent to exit the Paris Agreement in January, which will take effect one year from that date, on Jan. 20, 2026. This will mark the country’s second time withdrawing from the agreement, having previously done so near the end of President Donald Trump’s first term in November 2020, only for it to rejoin in February 2021 under then-President Joe Biden.

With the move, which Pulte announced on X (formerly Twitter), the agency joined several other agencies in withdrawing from NGFS involvement.

The first to withdraw was the Federal Reserve on Jan. 17, asserting the network had broadened its scope to encompass a wider range of issues than covered by the Fed’s statutory mandate. Within a month, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Insurance Office (FIO) and the Comptroller of the Currency had all followed suit, citing similar reasoning.

At the time of his agency’s withdrawal, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent characterized the move as part of its implementation of Trump’s executive orders, titled “Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements” and “Unleashing American Energy.”

“NGFS’s initiatives are inconsistent with this administration’s priorities to grow the U.S. economy and American jobs, and NGFS’s role diverges from the traditional technical and coordinating roles of other international fora,” Bessent said in a press release. “Important parts of NGFS’s scope, including on monetary policy frameworks, go beyond FIO’s core duties. FIO will continue to engage with state insurance regulators and other stakeholders to promote U.S. interests in international insurance engagements.”

The Trump administration has characterized the country’s involvement in climate-related initiatives as a source of regulatory overreach that unnecessarily inhibits economic growth while providing limited direct benefits to American workers.

Supporters of the NGFS have argued statutory mandates pertaining to federal financial agencies’ obligations to preserve the safety and soundness the U.S. banking system and meet the needs of their communities are at odds with arguments in favor of withdrawal.

For full report, please click the source link above.

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Wisconsin Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides

Posted on September 12, 2025September 19, 2025 by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
September 11, 2025

***LAST UPDATE: 9/19/25***

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Wisconsin to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and mudslides from August 9-12, 2025. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

Milwaukee
Washington
Waukesha

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration

Map of Affected Area

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Severe Storm and Flooding (DR-4890)

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Severe Storm and Flooding

Posted on September 12, 2025September 15, 2025 by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
September 11, 2025

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate to supplement tribal recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe storm and flooding from June 12, 2025 to June 16, 2025. The following areas have been approved for assistance:

Individual and Public Assistance:

Lake Traverse (Sisseton) Indian Reservation

Map of Affected Area

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

North Carolina Tropical Depression Chantal (DR-4889)

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – North Carolina Tropical Depression Chantal

Posted on September 12, 2025September 19, 2025 by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
September 11, 2025

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina to supplement recovery efforts in areas affected by Tropical Depression Chantal from July 6, 2025 to July 7, 2025. The following areas have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

Alamance
Caswell
Chatham
Durham
Moore
Orange
Person

Map of Affected Areas

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Kansas Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4891)

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Kansas Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding

Posted on September 12, 2025September 15, 2025 by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
September 11, 2025

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for Kansas to supplement recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe storm, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding from June 3, 2025 to June 7, 2025. The following areas have been approved for public assistance:

Public Assistance:

Barber
Butler
Chase
Coffey
Cowley
Franklin
Greenwood
Harper
Hodgeman
Kingman
Lyon
Morris
Osage
Stanton
Sumner
Wallace

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process