Safeguard Properties

Non-Profit Bidders Successfully Purchase more than 800 Mortgage Notes through HUD-Held Vacant Loan Sale

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
December 13, 2021

Source: MarketScreener.com

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Asset Sales announced on Thursday that 23 mission-driven non-profit organizations successfully participated – and 11 were awarded pools – in its December 1, 2021, competitive bid HUD-held Vacant Loan Sale. Collectively, these organizations successfully won bids on 814 mortgage notes – the entire volume of notes eligible for priority bidding.

Consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration’s September 1, 2021, announcement that more HUD-owned properties should be returned to future owner-occupancy, HUD offered up to 50 percent of the notes in the multi-loan pools for bids first by eligible non-profit organizations and units of state and local government. Previous sales prioritized approximately 10 percent of the mortgage notes for this purpose.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freddie Mac Confirms Immediate Mortgage Relief Options for Homeowners Affected by Tornado Outbreaks

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
December 14, 2021

Source: Freddie Mac

Freddie Mac today reminded homeowners and mortgage servicers of its immediate disaster relief options for those affected by the outbreak of tornadoes in Kentucky and the surrounding areas.

“We encourage everyone to make their safety the priority,” said Bill Maguire, Freddie Mac’s Vice President of Single-Family Servicing Portfolio Management. “Along with our mortgage servicers, Freddie Mac stands ready to provide immediate mortgage relief options to those affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes that impacted Kentucky and the surrounding areas.”

Freddie Mac’s disaster relief options are available to homeowners whose homes or places of employment are located in presidentially-declared Major Disaster Areas where federal individual-assistance programs are made available to affected individuals and households.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Posted on by Safeguard

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
  • 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 Declared Emergency Disaster Update – Tennessee Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
December 13, 2021

FEMA issued an Emergency Disaster Declaration for areas of Tennessee affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes on December 10-11, 2021.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Cheatham
  • Decatur
  • Dickson
  • Dyer
  • Gibson
  • Lake
  • Obion
  • Stewart
  • Weakley

Tennessee Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (EM-3576-TN)

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

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 Tennessee Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
December 13, 2021

FEMA issued an Emergency Disaster Declaration for areas of Tennessee affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes on December 10-11, 2021.  More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Tennessee Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (EM-3576-TN)

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

 

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 Illinois Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

Posted on by Safeguard

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.  More information will be provided as it becomes available.

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

 

 

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 Disaster Update Kentucky Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Tornadoes

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
December 16, 2021

FEMA issued a Major Disaster Declaration for areas of Commonwealth of Kentucky to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes beginning Dec. 10, 2021, and continuing.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • Barren
  • Caldwell
  • Christian
  • Fulton
  • Graves
  • Hart
  • Hickman
  • Hopkins
  • Logan
  • Lyon
  • Marion
  • Marshall
  • Muhlenberg
  • Ohio
  • Taylor
  • Warren

Public Assistance:

  • Barren
  • Breckenridge
  • Bullitt
  • Caldwell
  • Christian
  • Fulton
  • Graves
  • Grayson
  • Hart
  • Hickman
  • Hopkins
  • Logan
  • Lyon
  • Marion
  • Marshall
  • Meade
  • Muhlenberg
  • Ohio
  • Shelby
  • Spencer
  • Taylor
  • Todd
  • Warren

 

Kentucky Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Tornadoes (4630-DR-KY)

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

List of Affected Zip Codes

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 Emergency Declaration Kentucky Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Tornadoes

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
December 12, 2021

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes beginning Dec. 10, 2021 and continuing. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance
  • Breckinridge
  • Bullitt
  • Caldwell
  • Fulton
  • Graves
  • Grayson
  • Hickman
  • Hopkins
  • Lyon
  • Marshall
  • Meade
  • Muhlenberg
  • Ohio
  • Shelby
  • Spencer
  • Warren

 

Kentucky Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Tornadoes (EM-3575-KY)

List of Affected Zips

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

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

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
December 11, 2021

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes beginning Dec. 10, 2021 and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance, to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Breckenridge, Bullitt, Caldwell, Fulton, Graves, Grayson, Hickman, Hopkins, Lyon, Meade, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Shelby, Spencer and Warren counties.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75% federal funding to the commonwealth.

John Brogan has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

Affected Counties:
  • Breckenridge
  • Bullitt
  • Caldwell
  • Fulton
  • Graves
  • Grayson
  • Hickman
  • Hopkins
  • Lyon
  • Meade
  • Muhlenberg
  • Ohio
  • Shelby
  • Spencer
  • Warren

More information will be provided as it is made available.

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

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

 

Five Trends Reshaping the US Home Mortgage Industry

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
December 7, 2021

Source: McKinsey & Company

Consumer demand for mortgages in the United States has skyrocketed, due to a surge in home buying during the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result of low interest rates that have made refinancing attractive over the past two years. Although a rise in rates would cool refinance activity, banks, nonbank lenders, and mortgage industry investors are likely to continue seeing strong demand from the purchase market. According to a recent report from the Mortgage Bankers Association, the industry is expected to originate more than $2.5 trillion for each of the next three years, which is at least 40 percent higher than average annual originations between 2010 and 2019.

Meanwhile, the mortgage industry has been gradually adopting technology to streamline the front-to-back process of getting a mortgage, with the aim of making the consumer experience smoother and faster. Investors can facilitate further improvements at the point of origination, processing, underwriting, and loan servicing, as well as expand consumer access to home-financing and home-buying services.

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cookies enable us to provide the best experience possible and help us understand how visitors use our website. By browsing our website, you agree to our use of cookies.

x

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.

x

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.

x

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.

x

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.

x

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties