Page 210 – Safeguard Properties

The Week Ahead: The State of Property Preservation

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Safeguard

Safeguard in the News
November 1, 2019

The National Property Preservation Conference (NPPC), hosted by Safeguard Properties, is unfolding at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., from November 3-5. This year, the conference will include keynotes from The Hon. Brian D. Montgomery, Assistant Secretary for Housing – Federal Housing Commissioner, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Sandra Thompson, Director for the Division of Housing Mission and Goals for the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

On Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. ET, Ed Delgado, President & CEO of Five Star Global, will continue an annual tradition with his “State of the Industry” panel, featuring a lineup of industry experts discussing the trends and challenges facing both property preservation and the larger housing market and economy as a whole.

This year’s panelists include:

Alan Jaffa, CEO, Safeguard
Brian Martin, CEO, Dakota Asset Services
Caroline Reaves, CEO, Mortgage Contracting Services
Tim Rood, Chairman and Managing Director, SitusAMC
Shubha Shivapurkar, Senior Director, Non-Performing Loans, Single-Family Operations,
Freddie Mac
Jacob Williamson, VP Single-Family Real Estate, Fannie Mae

Other topics to be covered during the NPPC include code violations, vendor management, hazard claims, and other challenges and hot topics. You can find more information about the NPPC, including a full schedule and panel lineup, on the official website.

VA: VALERI Servicer Newsflash

Posted on November 1, 2019November 1, 2019 by Safeguard

Investor Update
October 31, 2019

Source: VA

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Circular 26-19-24, Change 2 – Servicer Loss Mitigation Letters on Delinquent Loans, was issued on September 25, 2019, and is located at https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/servicers_valeri.asp.

Circular 26-19-27 – Special Relief Following Hurricane Dorian, was issued on October 9, 2019, and is located at https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/servicers_valeri.asp.

Circular 26-19-25, Change 1 – Transition from Veterans Information Portal (VIP) to LGY Hub, was issued on October 11, 2019, and is located at https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/servicers_valeri.asp.

Servicer Loan Listing Report – An enhancement has been completed removing the 10,000-row limitation when exporting the report.

Post Audits – Currently, VALERI incorrectly indicates that documents are not required on Compromise Sale Claims and Compromise Sale Incentives. This defect is scheduled to be resolved in the system release on November 21, 2019. Documents are required for all post audit types, including incentives. Required document list is located in VALERI as a Servicer Knowledge Article.

Rejected Events – An event will reject if there is at least one fatal business rule failure. Servicers can view the business rule results by selecting the rejected event and the event rules, so they can determine what data fields require corrections to re-report the event.

Default Cured Loan Reinstated (DCLR) Event – When reporting via a nightly file, the DCLR event automatically generates when the reported payment due date is in the future and an Electronic Default Notice (EDN) is present on the loan for an outstanding episode of default. If an EDN was reported with the reason of Property Problems or Imminent Default, and the default is successfully resolved, the DCLR must be reported using the Event Bulk Upload Template.

REMINDERS
Accessing VALERI – The new VALERI application must be accessed with the Google Chrome browser.

Contacting VA – The assigned loan technician should continue to be first the point of contact (VA Servicer Handbook M26-4, Chapter 1). Loan Technician contact list is located in VALERI as a Servicer Knowledge Article. It is also available at https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/servicers_valeri.asp. Servicers should refer to the contact list and ensure the correct email address is being used, as there may be multiple VA employees with the same name.

It is not necessary to copy the VALERI Helpdesk when contacting the assigned loan technician/Regional Loan Center (RLC). If a matter requires escalations beyond the loan technician, please refer to the RLC contact list located at https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/servicers_valeri.asp to identify the correct VA management representative.

HUD: FHA INFO #19-53: Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1 Updated

Posted on October 30, 2019October 30, 2019 by Safeguard

Investor Update
October 24, 2019

Source: HUD

Additional Resource:

FHA Single Family Housing Policy Library (Handbook 4.000.1 Transmittal 10/24/19)

Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) published the quarterly update to its Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1 (SF Handbook). This publication updates and clarifies FHA’s servicing and claims policies, and includes additional updates to other sections of the SF Handbook.

The servicing and claims updates include:
• Revised guidance for FHA-Home Affordable Mortgage Program (FHA-HAMP) Trial Payment Plan (TPP) terms, including the requirement for TPP Agreement documents to stipulate the causes of TPP failure; and to clarify when the Mortgagee is required to waive late charges for instances when a Borrower is on, or is paying, its agreed upon Loss Mitigation Option.
• Clarification of the Property and Preservation timeframe requirements for securing and maintaining vacant properties.
• Clarification that Supplemental Claims for reconveyance must be submitted within six months of the final settlement date of the reacquisition claim.
• Restructured FHA’s Loss Mitigation Options for Borrowers in a Presidentially-Declared Major Disaster Area (PDMDA) per Mortgagee Letter 2019-14.

In addition, today’s update also includes:
• Incorporation of the Maximum Loan-To-Value and Combined Loan-To-Value Percentages for Cash-Out Refinance Mortgages per Mortgagee Letter 2019-11.
• Updates to the Condominium sections under “Required Documents” to incorporate reference to the newly approved HUD forms.

All stakeholders in FHA transactions should review and become familiar with the changes outlined in the SF Handbook Transmittal — as found on HUD’s Client Information Policy Systems’ (HUDCLIPS) Housing Handbooks web page. For reference, a version of the SF Handbook with highlighted text changes is also available and can be accessed from the SF Handbook Information Page.

Effective Dates
• Unless noted otherwise in the transmittal, previously announced effective dates are not impacted by these SF Handbook changes.
• SF Handbook changes identified in Section II of the Transmittal may be implemented with the original effective date of October 15, 2019, but must be implemented for case numbers assigned on or after January 2, 2020.
• Changes identified in Section III and IV may be implemented immediately, but must be implemented no later than January 2, 2020.

Quick Links
• Review the October 24, 2019 SF Handbook 4000.1 Transmittal at: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh
• Access the online and/or portable document format SF Handbook 4000.1 from HUDCLIPS Housing Handbooks web page at: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh
• View the redline version of the SF Handbook at: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/handbook_4000-1

Resources
Contact the FHA Resource Center:
• Visit our online knowledge base to obtain answers to frequently asked questions 24/7 at: www.hud.gov/answers.
• E-mail the FHA Resource Center at: answers@hud.gov. Emails and phone messages will be responded to during normal hours of operation, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Eastern), Monday through Friday on all non-Federal holidays.
• Call 1-800-CALLFHA (1-800-225-5342). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may reach this number by calling the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

Fannie Mae: Servicing Notice

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Safeguard

Investor Update
October 30, 2019

Source: Fannie Mae

We are providing advance notice to servicers that effective December 31, 2020, Fannie Mae will retire the loan workout reporting and related functionality in HomeSaver Solutions Network (HSSN). As a part of Simplifying Servicing™, HSSN functionality is being transitioned to Fannie Mae’s Servicing Management Default Underwriter™ (SMDU), SMDU User Interface (UI), and SMDU Case Management for all workout reporting processes. Servicers currently utilizing HSSN are encouraged to fully transition this activity to SMDU as soon as possible, but must do so no later than the effective date.

For full announcement, please click the source link above.

Fast-Growing Fires Damage California Homes

Posted on October 25, 2019November 3, 2019 by Safeguard

Updated 11/3/19: The Weather Channel published a report offering the latest updates on California wildfire activity.

As Firefighters Gain Edge on California Wildfires, President Trump Slams Gov. Gavin Newsom

Additional Resource:

California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL Fire) Active Incidents

Kincade Fire (77,758 acres; 76% containment)
– Geyersville (Sonoma County, 95441)
– Jimtown (Sonoma County, 95441)

Getty Fire (840 acres, 79% containment)
– Tigertail Rd., Los Angeles (Los Angeles County, 90049)

Hillside Fire (200 acres; 70% containment)
– San Bernardino (San Bernardino County, 92407)

46 Fire (328 acres; 95% containment)
– Jurupa Valley (Riverside County, 92509)

Maria Fire (9,412; 50% containment)
– Santa Paula (Ventura County, 93060, 93061)

Miller Fire (37 acres; 100% containment)
– Valley Center (San Diego County, 92082)

Palisades Fire (current statistics unavailable)
– Pacific Palisades (Los Angeles County, 90272)

Tick Fire (4,615 acres; 100% containment)
Santa Clarita
– Agua Dulce (Los Angeles County, 91390)
– Canyon Country (Los Angeles County, 91351, 91387)

The following wildfires are available for review on MapAlert:
– Getty Fire

– Kincade Fire

– Maria Fire

– Tick Fire

Updated 10/31/19: CNN published a report detailing new wildfire activity impacting portions of Southern California.

California wildfires: Homes burn in San Bernardino and strong winds threaten to stoke other blazes

Approximate locations containing associated home damage:

Kincade Fire (76,825 acres; 60% containment)
– Geyersville (Sonoma County, 95441)
– Jimtown (Sonoma County, 95441)

Getty Fire (745 acres, 39% containment)
– Tigertail Rd., Los Angeles (Los Angeles County, 90049)

Hillside Fire (200 acres; containment unknown)
– San Bernardino (San Bernardino County, 92407)

46 Fire (300 acres; 5% containment)
– Jurupa Valley (Riverside County, 92509)

The following wildfires are available for review on MapAlert:
– Getty Fire

– Kincade Fire

Updated 10/29/19: CBS News issued a report offering updates on Northern California wildfire activity and a new wind event threat that may further fuel it.

Powerful winds could fan devastating wildfires in California – live updates (full report)

California counties possibly impacted by planned power outages:

Alameda
Alpine
Amador
Butte
Calaveras
Colusa
Contra Costa
El Dorado
Glenn
Humboldt
Kern
Lake
Marin
Mariposa
Mendocino
Napa
Nevada
Placer
Plumas
San Mateo
Santa Clara
Santa Cruz
Shasta
Sierra
Solano
Sonoma
Stanislaus
Tehama
Trinity
Tuolumne
Yolo
Yuba

Updated 10/28/19: CNN published a report offering the latest updates on a series of wildfires that have sparked in Northern California.

Wildfire Burns in Los Angeles (full report)

Updated 10/28/19: California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL Fire) Active Incidents

Approximate locations containing associated home damage:

Kincade Fire (66,231 acres; 5% containment)
– Geyersville (Sonoma County, 95441)
– Jimtown (Sonoma County, 95441)

Getty Fire (500 acres, containment unknown)
– Tigertail Rd., Los Angeles (Los Angeles County, 90049)

Miller Fire (37 acres; 100% containment)
– Valley Center (San Diego County, 92082)

Palisades Fire (current statistics unavailable)
– Pacific Palisades (Los Angeles County, 90272)

Tick Fire (4,615 acres; 70% containment)
Santa Clarita
– Agua Dulce (Los Angeles County, 91390)
– Canyon Country (Los Angeles County, 91351, 91387)

Updated 10/27/19: California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statewide emergency declaration due to threats from extreme weather conditions and wildfire activity.

Governor Newsom Declares Statewide Emergency Due to Fires, Extreme Weather Conditions

Associated County ZIP Code List

Disaster Alert
October 24, 2019

Source: The Weather Channel

Additional Resource:

California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL Fire) Active Incidents

Approximate locations containing associated home damage:

California

Kincade Fire (21,900 acres; 5% containment)
– Geyersville (Sonoma County, 95441)
– Jimtown (Sonoma County, 95441)

Palisades Fire (45 acres; 75% containment)
– Pacific Palisades (Los Angeles County, 90272)

Tick Fire (4,300 acres; 5% containment)
– Agua Dulce (Los Angeles County, 91390)
– Canyon Country (Los Angeles County, 91351)

At a Glance

50,000 Southern Californians were evacuated by two fires Thursday near Los Angeles.
10,000 structures are threatened by the Tick Fire burning near Santa Clarita.
Meanwhile, the Kincade Fire spread rapidly in Northern California.
Residents of Geyserville were ordered to evacuate as the fire jumped a highway.
PG&E said high-voltage lines near the fire still had power when it started.

Houses have been leveled, hundreds of schools closed and roadways shut down by at least nine wildfires burning across California.

Pacific Gas and Electric said in a press release that one of its transmission towers malfunctioned near the origin of one the largest fires right around the time the blaze began. The utility had cut off power to about 180,000 homes and businesses as a precautionary move to prevent wildfires.

Tens of thousands of Californians fled their homes as the blazes chewed through a combined area of the state the size of San Francisco.

The Tick Fire in Santa Clarita, just outside of Los Angeles, started Thursday afternoon and triggered evacuation orders for 40,000 people. It continued to expand overnight after it jumped State Road 14, closing portions of the highway and forcing additional evacuations in the Sand Canyon area.

“We’re dealing with some very high wind speeds out here,” Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Tony Imbrenda told The Weather Channel Friday morning. “Last night we had wind gusts up to 65 mph on the fire line and that gave us a lot of issues. Firefighters had a difficult firefight last night … We’re hoping for a little cooperation from the weather today.”

For full report, please click the source link above.

Brush Fire Ignites in Hawaii

Posted on October 23, 2019October 24, 2019 by Safeguard

Updated 10/23/19: Hawaii News Now published an article offering the latest updates on a brush fire that has consumed close to 1,000 acres in the Kahana Ridge area of West Maui.

Evacuations lifted as firefighters continue to battle large Maui brush fire (full report)

Disaster Alert
October 22, 2019

Source: CNN

Additional Resource:

Maui County, Hawaii (Brush Fire in Kahana/Kapalua Information)

Active Evacuation Locations:

Hawaii
– Ala Hoku Subdivision, West Maui (Maui County, 96761)
– Kahana Ridge Subdivision, West Maui (Maui County, 96761)

(CNN) — A fast-moving blaze is burning near the airport in West Maui, Hawaii, as firefighters scrambled to save nearby homes.

The fire was nearly 1,000 acres by Tuesday evening, according to the Maui Fire Department.

“About 40 fire personnel, three air units and several tankers and dozers from our county and private partners are responding,” the Maui Fire Department said.

It said first responders evacuated Kapalua Airport, and homes in Kahana Ridge and Ala Hoku subdivisions due to the fire. An emergency shelter was opened at a local civic center.

“I want to strongly urge our residents and visitors to avoid the Kapalua area as our first responders fight this fire,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Please keep the families affected by these fires and our public safety personnel in your thoughts and prayers.”

When the fire was originally reported shortly after 1 p.m. local time, it was about 4 acres. It raced across the area due to dry conditions and steady winds, according to the fire department.

FEMA Declared Disaster Florida

Posted on October 22, 2019December 11, 2019 by Safeguard

FEMA Alert Update
December 9, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Florida affected by Hurricane Dorian from August 28 to September 9, 2019.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

Broward
Volusia

Florida Hurricane Dorian (DR-4468 Amendment 1)

FEMA Declared Disaster Florida: ZIP Code List

FEMA Alert
October 21, 2019

FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Florida affected by Hurricane Dorian from August 28 to September 9, 2019.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

Brevard
Duval
Flagler
Indian River
Martin
Nassau
Oscelola
Palm Beach
Putnam
Seminole
St. Johns
St. Lucie

Florida Hurricane Dorian (DR-4468)

FEMA Declared Disaster Florida: ZIP Code List

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

Dallas Tornado Causes Major Home Damage

Posted on October 21, 2019October 21, 2019 by Safeguard

Disaster Alert
October 21, 2019

Source: The Weather Channel

Additional Resource:

KDFW FOX 4 (Confirmed tornado causes damages in North Dallas, surrounding areas)

Approximate locations sustaining home damage:

Texas
– Dallas (Dallas County)*
*Click city name to access associated ZIP code list
– Richardson (Dallas, Collin counties, 75080, 75081, 75082, 75083, 75085)
– Rockwall (Rockwall County, 75032, 75087)
– Sachse ( Dallas, Collin counties, 75048, 75098)

Severe storms ripped through the South Sunday night into early Monday, spawning a damaging tornado in Dallas and contributing to the death of one person in Arkansas.

The National Weather Service said at around 9:30 p.m. CDT that it had visual confirmation of a tornado on the ground in northern Dallas. The tornado was first reported near Dallas Love Field Airport.

No deaths or serious injuries have been reported from the tornado as of early Monday morning, the city of Dallas said. Three people have been hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries.

Local media outlets reported several homes and businesses were damaged, power lines downed and tree limbs were scattered across roadways. The city said there were reports of gas leaks north of Walnut Hill in north Dallas. Police and Fire-Rescue were assessing damaged structures.

Oncor reported nearly 140,000 customers were without power as of early Monday morning in north and central Texas. About half of those outages were in Dallas County.

Seven people escaped a structure that collapsed in northwest Dallas, but Dallas Fire-Rescue were searching to see if anyone was left inside, spokesman Jason Evans said. WFAA reported that a convenience store collapsed in the storm, but the clerk told the station that everyone who was inside made it out safely.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Tropical Storm Nestor Expected to Form in Gulf

Posted on October 17, 2019October 20, 2019 by Safeguard

Updated 10/20/19: The Weather Channel published a report outlining tornadic activity spawned by Tropical Storm Nestor in portions of Central Florida.

Florida Homes Damaged by Nestor Tornadoes Before Storm Moves Into Georgia (full report)

Additional approximate locations sustaining home damage:

Florida

– Cape Coral (Lee County, 33904, 33909, 33914, 33990, 33991, 33993)
– Mt. Tabor Estates, Lakeland (Polk County, 33810)

South Carolina

– Myrtle Beach (Horry County, 29572, 29575, 29577, 29578, 29579)

Updated 10/19/19: The Weather Channel issued a report detailing the latest activity from Tropical Storm Nestor, which has spawned possible tornadoes in Central Florida.

Tropical Storm Nestor Is Approaching the Florida Gulf Coast with Increasing Surge, Wind and Rain (full report)

Approximate locations sustaining home damage:

Florida

– Kathleen (Polk County, 33849)

– Park Blvd., Seminole (Pinellas County, 33776)

– Temple Terrace Blvd., Seminole (Pinellas County, 33772)

NOTE: This has not yet been declared a FEMA Disaster.

Updated 10/18/19: USA Today published an article detailing the latest forecast information for Possible Tropical Cyclone 16, which is expected to become Subtropical or Tropical Storm Nestor before making landfall in the Florida Panhandle within the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Nestor expected to form on way to Florida Panhandle (full article)

Disaster Alert
October 17, 2019

Source: FOX News

An area of disturbed weather over the southwest Gulf of Mexico is forecast to strengthen over the warm waters, potentially impacting the northern Gulf Coast of the U.S. as a tropical storm by the weekend, according to forecasters.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Thursday the system, known as Potential Tropical Cyclone 16, was located about 620 miles southwest of the mouth of Mississippi River with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, moving north at 8 mph.

“The disturbance is expected to develop into a tropical or subtropical storm later today or tonight, with slow strengthening then expected through Friday night,” according to the agency.

The NHC gives the storm a 90 percent chance of forming into a tropical storm over the next 48 hours. If the weather system strengthens into a tropical storm it would have the name “Nestor.”

Tropical storm warnings have been issued from the Mississippi/Alabama border to the Ochlockonee River, Fla. and from Grand Isle, La. to the mouth of the Pearl River. A storm surge watch is in effect from Indian Pass to Clearwater, Fla.

The storm is forecast to make a turn toward the northeast by Thursday afternoon or later, and then move in a northeastward motion “at a faster forward speed” by Friday into Saturday.

“On the forecast track, the system will approach the northern Gulf coast Friday and Friday night,” the NHC said.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Northeast Struck by “Bomb Cyclone”

Posted on October 17, 2019October 17, 2019 by Safeguard

Disaster Alert
October 17, 2019

Source: The Weather Channel

Approximate locations sustaining possible home damage (downed trees):

Massachusetts
– Danvers (Essex County, 01923, 01937)
– Duxbury (Plymouth County, 02050, 02331, 02332)

At a Glance

Trees and power lines were downed in at least seven states.
Schools were closed in many areas.
A man was injured when a tree fell on his home in Massachusetts.
High winds helped spread a fire that destroyed three homes.

More than 500,000 people were without power Thursday morning as a bomb cyclone brought rain and heavy winds to the Northeast U.S., knocking down trees and fueling a fire that destroyed three homes.

A man was hurt when a tree fell on his home in Beverly, Massachusetts, WCVB reported. He was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Officials in Suffolk County, New York, said a fire that destroyed three homes was spread by high winds, according to the Associated Press. The blaze broke out at about 2 a.m. Thursday in the Fire Island hamlet of Ocean Bay Park. The National Weather Service said wind gusts up to 60 mph were reported in the area.

Schools were closed or delayed in dozens of locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. There were also widespread closures and delays in Connecticut.

For full report, please click the source link above.