Safeguard Properties

Fannie and Freddie: Single Family Delinquency Rate Increased in September

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Industry Update
October 29, 2025

Source: CalculatedRisk Newsletter

Freddie Mac reported that the Single-Family serious delinquency rate in September was 0.57%, up from 0.56% August. Freddie’s rate is up year-over-year from 0.54% in September 2024, however, this is below the pre-pandemic level of 0.60%.

Freddie’s serious delinquency rate peaked in February 2010 at 4.20% following the housing bubble and peaked at 3.17% in August 2020 during the pandemic.

Fannie Mae reported that the Single-Family serious delinquency rate in September was 0.54%, up from 0.53% in August. The serious delinquency rate is up year-over-year from 0.52% in September 2024, however, this is below the pre-pandemic lows of 0.65%.

The Fannie Mae serious delinquency rate peaked in February 2010 at 5.59% following the housing bubble and peaked at 3.32% in August 2020 during the pandemic.

These are mortgage loans that are “three monthly payments or more past due or in foreclosure”. Mortgages in forbearance are being counted as delinquent in this monthly report but are not reported to the credit bureaus.

For Fannie, by vintage, for loans made in 2004 or earlier (1% of portfolio), 1.35% are seriously delinquent (unchanged from 1.35% the previous month).

For loans made in 2005 through 2008 (1% of portfolio), 1.93% are seriously delinquent (unchanged from 1.93%).

For recent loans, originated in 2009 through 2025 (98% of portfolio), 0.49% are seriously delinquent (unchanged from 0.49%). So, Fannie is still working through a handful of poor performing loans from the bubble years.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

Federal Housing Agency Requests Public Feedback on Proposed Strategic Plan

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Industry Update
October 17, 2025

Source: Financial Regulation News

The U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency released a call for public feedback on its latest proposed Strategic Plan.

In an Oct. 15 press release, the agency announced its proposed Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2030, and requested the public give it feedback on what is in it. The new plan proposed three strategic goals: to responsibly oversee Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to supervise the Federal Home Loan Banking System and to efficiently manage the U.S. Federal Housing Operations.

Currently, U.S. Federal Housing is both the regulator and the conservator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with a statutory duty to promote safe and sound operations and to conduct supervisory examinations. The agency will assess the safe and sound operations, it said in its plan, through examinations, ongoing monitoring and off-site reviews.

Additionally, the agency, as regulator of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, has a statutory duty to promote safe and sound operations through its supervision of the system. The agency said it will assess operations of the FHLBanks and the Office of Finance through annual examinations. And lastly, the agency said it will streamline and modernize core operations at U.S. Federal Housing to ensure timely, accurate and cost-effective delivery of services to support the stability of the mortgage market.

Input on the plan is due Nov. 5, 2025 and should be submitted through to the U.S. Federal Housing website.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

ICE First Look: Mortgage Performance Remains Strong as FHA Foreclosures Emerge

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Industry Update
October 24, 2025

Source: ICE Mortgage Technology

ICE Mortgage Technology, a neutral provider of a robust end-to-end mortgage platform and part of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE), and one of the leading providers of mortgage data, today released the September 2025 ICE First Look at mortgage delinquency, foreclosure and prepayment trends.

The data shows that overall mortgage performance remains historically strong, with both delinquencies and foreclosure activity remaining below long-term averages. While some shifts are emerging among government-backed loan segments, these trends largely represent a normalization of market dynamics rather than broad-based weakness.

“The mortgage market remains remarkably resilient, with mortgage performance continuing to hold up well,” said Andy Walden, Head of Mortgage and Housing Market Research at ICE. “Delinquency rates improved in September, and even as we see increases in activity among FHA loans, we’re largely returning to more typical levels following several years of artificially low foreclosure volumes.”

Key takeaways from this month’s findings include:

Delinquencies remain well below pre-pandemic norms: The national delinquency rate fell by 2 basis points (bps) in September to 3.42%, down 6 bps from the same time last year and 58 bps below its September 2019 pre-pandemic level.

Strength across delinquency bands in September: Both early-stage (30-day) and late-stage (90+ day) delinquencies improved month-over-month, as the vast majority of borrowers remain current on their mortgage payments.

Non-current rates improved for most investors: The non-current rate (delinquencies plus active foreclosures) declined year-over-year among GSE (-3 bps), VA (-4 bps) and portfolio-held loans (-17 bps). FHA loans were the notable exception, rising by 44 bps from last year’s levels.

Foreclosure activity is returning to normal ranges: There were 103,000 foreclosure starts in Q3 2025, a 23% increase from the same period last year, but 18% below Q3 2019’s pre-pandemic levels.

Improving efficiency in resolution: The number of loans in active foreclosure rose modestly year-over-year (18%), yet overall foreclosure volume remains historically low, with Q3 foreclosure sales (21,000) at roughly half of 2019 levels. FHA loans account for the majority of that rise, making up 38% of active foreclosures, roughly half of the annual rise in foreclosure starts and 80% of the rise in active foreclosures. The resumption of VA foreclosure activity following last year’s moratorium is largely responsible for the remainder.

Prepayments are edging higher: Prepayments rose by 8 bps in September to a 0.74% single month mortality (SMM) rate, a 15% increase from the prior year, as interest rates began to ease in August.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Alaska Severe Storms, Flooding, and Remnants of Typhoon Halong

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FEMA Alert
October 22, 2025

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Alaska to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, flooding, and the remnants of Typhoon Halong from October 8-13, 2025.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • Lower Kuskokwim Regional Educational Attendance Area
  • Lower Yukon Regional Educational Attendance Area
  • Northwest Arctic

 

Public Assistance:

  • Lower Kuskokwim Regional Educational Attendance Area
  • Lower Yukon Regional Educational Attendance Area
  • Northwest Arctic

 

Alaska Severe Storms, Flooding, and Remnants of Typhoon Halong (DR-4893-AK)

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Alaska

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 – North Dakota Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
October 22, 2025

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of North Dakota to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes from August 7-8, 2025.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Barnes
  • Grand Forks
  • Griggs
  • Kidder
  • Nelson
  • Steele
  • Stutsman

 

North Dakota Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (DR-4895-ND)

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Dakota

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 – Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds

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FEMA Alert
October 22, 2025

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to supplement tribal recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms and straight-line winds on June 21, 2025.  The following areas have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • Leech Lake Indian Reservation

 

Public Assistance:

  • Leech Lake Indian Reservation

 

***Please note: only properties associated with the Leech Lake Indian Reservation are approved for assistance.***

 

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (DR-4894)

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

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 – Nebraska Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
October 22, 2025

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Nebraska to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding from August 8-10, 2025.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Burt
  • Douglas
  • Fillmore
  • Lancaster
  • Nemaha
  • Nuckolls
  • Saline
  • Saunders
  • Seward
  • Thayer
  • Washington
  • Webster

 

Nebraska Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4896-NE)

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Nebraska

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

Birmingham Residents Say Land Bank Information Sessions are Vital to Help with Vacant Properties

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One Community Update
October 4, 2025

Source: wvtm13.com

The city of Birmingham is working to bring new life to properties abandoned by their previous owners.

Residents in the Fountain Heights neighborhood told WVTM 13 you can see the need for the Birmingham Land Bank all around. Neighbors said some lots have been vacant for as long as they can remember and hope someone will help clean up the place they call home.

Clarence Arnold said it’s frustrating to see abandoned properties like the one across the street from his house. Arnold said he moved in 30 years ago and the neighborhood used to be beautiful.

“If they would put homes in or on the property, maybe the person that buys the property will take more interest in it and keep it going,” Arnold said. “When I bought this property over here, it looked just like this property [across from me], but over time I got it all under control and it looked like somebody lived here.”

The Birmingham Land Bank has a plan to fix the issue. The organization will host virtual information sessions called Land Bank Live. The goal is to give people the information they need to buy the vacant properties and breathe life back into the community.

The land bank was started back in 2014 by the city. The goal was to keep properties that were abandoned from creating problems for neighbors. Since then, the organization has sold nearly 700 properties around the city, but there’s still some work to be done to help beautify some neighborhoods like Fountain Heights.

The land bank said interested buyers don’t just have to build houses or even renovate them. It wants to see empty lots used for parks, community gardens or even brick-and-mortar locations for small businesses. Staff said they just want people to have the tools they need to succeed.

“Make sure that your plan involves a licensed contractor,” Caroline Douglas, the executive director of the Birmingham Land Bank, said. “I can’t stress that enough. We want to protect you as well and make sure your investment doesn’t go to waste and also make sure that your funding is in place. Either you’ve got liquid funding or you have approved loans. We want to know what you have in place because everyone can start, but not everyone finishes.”

The land bank will host three sessions. There are 700 spots still open, and the land bank wants to see every spot filled.

You can find information on how to submit an application or to register for a seminar on the Land Bank website.

 

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

Killeen Councilman to Call for Land Banks as a Solution to Abandoned Properties

Posted on by Safeguard

One Community Update
October 6, 2025

Source: kdhnews.com

Killeen Councilman Ramon Alvarez is expected to make a request that a land bank program be considered on a future City Council meeting agenda in light of abandoned properties within the city.

Alvarez says in a city document that he wants to “create and disseminate an RFP (request for proposal) to entities like the Center for Community Progress” and similar organizations and bring them back for future consideration “as expeditiously as possible.”

“Our city is facing a growing number of abandoned properties, mostly vacant and dilapidated,” Alvarez writes in his request, which is attached to Tuesday’s meeting agenda. “Other communities throughout Texas have utilized land banks, or similar alternatives, to help address the issue.”

Land bank programs would involve the city buying and selling abandoned properties.

This request comes a year after an internal audit found that the city of Killeen was losing $260,000 in revenue from abandoned properties, many of which were in the downtown Killeen revitalization area.

This included approximately $58,000 in lost property tax revenue from 37 tax delinquent properties and $200,000 in unreimbursed maintenance costs for code enforcement.

The report further detailed that the resulting blight from the abandoned properties had lowered the property values of the area from the citywide average of $246,000 to $109,000. The blight also contributed to a lower quality of life for people living in those areas.

The audit report, completed by City Auditor Matthew Grady, recommended acquiring and repurposing the land to address the neighborhood blight.

“While the City’s inventory of abandoned properties is comparatively small, it nonetheless could benefit from such a program by increasing its tax revenue, reducing its maintenance costs, and boosting its revitalization efforts,” the report reads.

Alvarez was not immediately available for comment. However, Mayor Debbie Nash-King said last year that the beautification of Killeen was a “top priority.”

“If buildings are abandoned, then the property owner must be accountable,” she said.

Thirty-seven properties were cited in Grady’s report, which at the time city officials didn’t consider large comparatively speaking to other cities. There was also disagreement among city officials, including Alvarez, on exactly how much money or revenue was being lost to abandoned properties.

KDH News has filed an open-records request on the number of abandoned properties and their location so it can provide updated information.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

Five Star’s Ed Delgado to Head Industry Panel at NPPC25

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Safeguard in the News
October 13, 2025

Source: MortgagePoint

Industry veteran Ed Delgado, Chairman Emeritus of Five Star Global and Managing Director of Mortgage Policy Advisors has been selected to lead a group of prominent industry executives during the 2025 National Property Preservation Conference (NPPC25) on November 18, 2025 at the MGM National Harbor Resort, located in Washington D.C. With panel representation from Fannie Mae, Select Portfolio Servicing (SPS), Rocket Mortgage, US Bank, and Safeguard Properties, Delgado will host a session focused on the State of the Mortgage Industry, with panelists providing critical market insights and updates on best practices and policy.

“It is an honor to support The National Property Preservation Conference (NPPC) which is an essential gathering for the entire housing finance ecosystem.” Delgado said.

Formed in 2004, NPPC is a cornerstone event for mortgage executives and property preservation experts seeking to forge partnerships while shaping the policies and practices that support the health and security of the nation’s housing stock and ultimately, the American dream of homeownership.

“NPPC is an essential conference, because it brings together key industry stakeholders—including mortgage servicers, investors, government agencies and property preservation professionals—to collaboratively address the complex issues within the mortgage field services industry.” Delgado commented.

“Having Ed Delgado at the National Property Preservation Conference is invaluable. His decades of experience at the highest levels of mortgage banking and major financial institutions, provides the essential policy insight and Washington perspective the industry needs. He consistently challenges leaders to think strategically about compliance, risk, and the long-term health of the housing market, making his voice a critical one for shaping effective property preservation solutions.” said Alan Jaffa, CEO of Safeguard Properties, founder and host of NPPC.

In addition to Delgado, Mark Fleming, Chief Economist, First American Financial Corporation; Stanley C. Middleman, Founder, President & CEO, Freedom Mortgage; and Min Alexander, CEO & Founder, Bosscat Home Services and Technologies, will be appearing at NPPC as keynote speakers.

To learn more about NPPC25, which runs from November 17-19 in Washington D.C., you can visit the conference website at  nppconf.com.

Editor’s note: MortgagePoint serves as Media Sponsor for NPPC25.

 

To access the full story, please click the source link above.