Safeguard Properties

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

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
January 15, 2022

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Alaska to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides from October 29 – November 1, 2021.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Kenai Peninsula (Borough)

 

Alaska Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4638-AK)

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

Zip Codes of Affected Areas

Map 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 Major Disaster Declaration – Tennessee Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
January 14, 2022

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Tennessee to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes on December 10-11, 2021.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • Cheatham
  • Davidson
  • Dickson
  • Gibson
  • Henderson
  • Henry
  • Lake
  • Obion
  • Stewart
  • Sumner
  • Weakley
  • Wilson

Public Assistance:

  • Cheatham
  • Davidson
  • Decatur
  • Dickson
  • Dyer
  • Gibson
  • Henderson
  • Henry
  • Lake
  • Obion
  • Stewart
  • Sumner
  • Weakley

 

Tennessee Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (DR 4637-TN)

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

Zip Codes of Affected Areas

Map 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

Proposed New Hampshire Bill will Allow Municipalities to Establish a Vacant Building Registration

Posted on by Safeguard

Legislation Update
January 12, 2022

Source: New Hampshire State Senate (NJ SB 334 full text)

New Hampshire Senate Bill 334 will enable municipalities within the state to establish a vacant property registry.  When a property is determined to be vacant or abandoned by way of meeting specific criteria, the responsible party would be required to file a certificate of registration with the responsible entity within the governing body of the municipality in which the property is located.  If the property is vacant at the time of the bill adoption, the responsible party would have 30 days to file the certificate.  If the property becomes vacant after the bill is enacted, responsible parties must file the certificate within 90 days.  If a responsible party takes ownership of a property that is already vacant or abandoned, the certificate of registration must be filed within 30 days.  This would be enforced in towns and cities across New Hampshire that choose to adopt the bill.  The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2023.

 

For full bill text, please click the source link above.

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Missouri Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
January 10, 2022

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Missouri to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes on December 10, 2021.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Bollinger
  • Dunklin
  • Iron
  • Madison
  • Pemiscot
  • Reynolds
  • Wayne

 

Missouri Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes (DR-4636-MO)

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

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

FEMA Declared Emergency Disaster Update – Illinois Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

Posted on by Ashley Shepherd

FEMA Alert
December 13, 2021

FEMA issued an Emergency Disaster Declaration for areas of Illinois affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes on December 10, 2021.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • Bond

Public Assistance:

  • Bond
  • Cass
  • Coles
  • Effingham
  • Fayette
  • Jersey
  • Macoupin
  • Madison
  • Menard
  • Montgomery
  • Morgan
  • Moultrie
  • Pike
  • Shelby

Illinois Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (EM-3577-IL)

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Emergency Declaration for Illinois

Map of Affected Areas

List of Affected Zip Codes

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 Major Disaster Declaration – Washington Flooding and Mudslides

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
January 5, 2022

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Washington to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by flooding and mudslides from November 13-15, 2021.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • Clallam
  • Lummi Indian Reservation
  • Nooksack Indian Reservation
  • Quileute Indian Reservation
  • Skagit
  • Whatcom

Public Assistance:

  • Clallam
  • Hoh Indian Reservation
  • Island
  • Jefferson
  • Lewis
  • Lummi Indian Reservation
  • Nooksack Indian Reservation
  • Quileute Indian Reservation
  • San Juan
  • Skagit
  • Swinomish Indian Reservation
  • Whatcom

 

 

Washington Flooding and Mudslides (DR-4635-WA)

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approved Major Disaster Declaration for Washington

Washington Communities Eligible for FEMA Public Assistance

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

HUD Looks Back on 2021 Accomplishments

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
January 3, 2022

Source: RisMedia.com

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) this year took bold action in pursuit of the agency’s mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes. These actions aligned with key Biden-Harris Administration priorities including ensuring equity, removing barriers to homeownership, expanding the nation’s housing supply and keeping Americans housed.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ginnie Mae Names First Female President

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
January 3, 2022

Source: The M Report

Alanna McCargo has been sworn in as Ginnie Mae’s 18th President. Recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate, McCargo was read the oath of office by Marcia L. Fudge, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FHFA Announces Targeted Increases to Enterprise Pricing Framework

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
January 5, 2022

Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency

Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced targeted increases to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s upfront fees for certain high balance loans and second home loans. High balance loans are mortgages originated in certain designated areas above the baseline conforming loan limit. The new fees will go into effect for deliveries and acquisitions beginning April 1, 2022, in order to minimize market and pipeline disruption.

To ensure that the Enterprises continue to provide strong support for affordable housing, the existing beneficial pricing treatment of certain programs – such as HomeReady, Home Possible, HFA Preferred, and HFA Advantage – will not be altered by the new fees. In addition, loans to first time homebuyers in high cost areas with incomes at or below 100 percent of area median income will have no specific high balance upfront fees.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposed Maryland Bill Amends Required Practice for Abandoned Personal Property Valued Over $1000

Posted on by Safeguard

Legislation Update
January 4, 2022

Source: Maryland State Senate (MD SB60 Full Bill Text)

Maryland Senate Bill 60, which would amend current requirements regarding abandoned personal property valued over $1000, will be introduced to the State Senate on January 12, 2022.  Currently, the state requires holders of personal property over $100 to notify the owner by first-class mail.  If the proposed bill is passed, the holder of presumed abandoned property valued over $1000 would be required to send written notice to the apparent owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner’s last known address.  By mailing a certified letter with return receipt requested, the holder will have record of the attempted contact with the owner of the property and will be required to maintain this record for up to three years.  This would be a change in policy for the state of Maryland, which currently requires the owner to be notified only by first-class mail.  Holders of abandoned personal property valued between $100-$999 will continue to be required to provide notification to the owner by first-class mail.

 

For full bill text, 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