Urban Institute: Responding to a Crisis: The National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program

Industry Update
February 13, 2019

Source: Urban Institute

Abstract

In 2007, as the scale and urgency of the housing crisis became clear, Congress authorized an emergency program to help Americans in danger of losing their homes. Between 2008–18, the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) program helped homeowners in need by substantially boosting the nation’s capacity for foreclosure counseling. Implemented by NeighborWorks America®, the program served more than 2 million homeowners, helped standardize foreclosure counseling practices, and fostered stronger relationships among program administrators, housing counseling agencies, and loan servicers.  The NFMC program’s impact on homeowners, housing counseling providers, and the housing counseling field will continue to be felt for years to come. Read the report on the website of NeighborWorks America.

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

City Seeks Public’s Help in Identifying Zombie Properties

Industry Update
February 12, 2019

Source: WRFA

JAMESTOWN – City development director Vince DeJoy is asking for the public’s help in identifying abandoned – or zombie – properties in the city.

Zombie properties are homes that have been abandoned by an owner due to foreclosure problems, but the ownership has yet to be regained by the lending agency or bank the owner is indebted to.

During a report to both the city housing committee and later to the full city council on Monday night, DeJoy said his office is applying for a $200,000 state grant that would focus on addressing abandoned and zombie homes in the city. The funding comes from the state Zombie and Vacant Properties Remediation and Prevention Initiative program, which gave the city $150,000 in 2016.

For full article, please click the source link above.

Project B.A.N.E. to Demolish Nuisance Properties Across Huntington

Industry Update
February 15, 2019

Source: WCHS ABC 8

Vacant dilapidated housing can be found in almost every Huntington neighborhood, there are more than 200 listed by the city, and some have been catching fire.

13 homes caught fire in a month and a half from the beginning of 2019 destroying property, driving people out of their homes, and scaring homeowners like Vickie Priddy.

“You’re in fear,” she said, “you’re in fear of your safety, whether it be physically harmed by their hand, or by a fire because they’re trying to stay warm.”

For full article, please click the source link above.

FEMA Declared Disaster Minnesota

FEMA Alert
February 1, 2019

FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Minnesota affected by severe storms and flooding that took place October 9-11, 2018. The following county is eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • St. Louis

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster for Minnesota

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Minnesota

MapAlert Disaster Viewer


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: Disaster Assistance for Alaska Earthquake Victims

Investor Update
February 11, 2019

Source: HUD

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced it will speed federal disaster assistance to the State of Alaska and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes in areas affected by earthquake.

On January 31st, President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for Municipality of Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and Kenai Peninsula Borough.

The President’s declaration allows HUD to offer foreclosure relief and other assistance to certain families living in these counties. HUD is:

Providing immediate foreclosure relief – HUD’s automatic 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured home mortgages commenced for the Alaska counties covered under yesterday’s Presidential declaration on the date of the declaration. For assistance, call your loan servicer or FHA’s Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320;

Making mortgage insurance available – HUD’s Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims whose homes were destroyed or damaged to such an extent that reconstruction or replacement is necessary and are facing the daunting task of rebuilding or buying another home. Borrowers from participating FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing, including closing costs;

Making insurance available for both mortgages and home rehabilitation – HUD’s Section 203(k) loan program enables those who have lost their homes to finance the purchase or refinance of a house along with its repair through a single mortgage. It also allows homeowners who have damaged houses to finance the rehabilitation of their existing single-family home; and

•Making information on housing providers and HUD programs available – The Department will share information with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State on housing providers that may have available units in the impacted counties. This includes Public Housing Agencies and Multi-Family owners. The Department will also connect FEMA and the State to subject matter experts to provide information on HUD programs and providers.

Read about these and other HUD programs designed to assist disaster victims.

Fannie Mae: LoanSphere Invoicing Changes and Expense Reimbursement Dashboard

Investor Update
February 13, 2019

Source: Fannie Mae

Additional Resource:

Servicer Expense Reimbursement Job Aid

Starting April 15, there will be a limit of 100 line items in LoanSphere Invoicing™ for both manual and bulk submissions of claims. You now have access to the Expense Reimbursement Dashboard, providing 24/7 access to self-serve reporting and the reimbursement process.

Fannie Mae: SVC-2019-01: Servicing Guide Updates

Investor Update
February 13, 2019

Source: Fannie Mae

Additional Resource:

Announcement SVC-2018-10

The Servicing Guide has been updated to include changes related to compensatory fees for delays in the liquidation process.

These changes are not applicable to reverse mortgage loans.

Compensatory Fee Requirements

We have updated A1-4.2-02, Compensatory Fees for Delays in the Liquidation Process and F-2-03, Compensatory Fee Calculation Examples to reflect changes recently communicated in Announcement SVC-2018-10. The changes update our policies and processes related to assessing compensatory fees for delays in foreclosure.

Contact your Fannie Mae account team, Portfolio Manager, or Fannie Mae’s Single-Family Servicer Support Center at 1-800-2FANNIE (1-800-232-6643) with any questions regarding this Announcement.

Carlos T. Perez
Senior Vice President and
Chief Credit Officer for Single-Family

Weather Service Confirms Tornado Hit Oakland City

Disaster Alert
February 12, 2019

Source: WBIW.com (The Associated Press)

Approximate locations sustaining property damage:

Indiana

  • Oakland City (Gibson County, 47660)

NOTE: This is not yet a FEMA Declared Disaster.

(OAKLAND CITY) – The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado toppled trees and damaged homes last week in a small southwestern Indiana community.

The weather service’s Paducah, Kentucky, office says a survey crew determined that an EF-1 tornado swept through Oakland City last Thursday with peak winds of 110 mph (177 kilometers per hour).

For full report, please click the source link above.

State Representative Drafts Land Bank Bill to Improve Neighborhoods

Updated 3/7/19: The SJ Post published a report announcing the passage of HB 821 through the Missouri House of Representatives. The bill aims to allow the City of St. Joseph to create a land bank to directly engage 450 vacant structures in violation of its Property Maintenance Code.

Link to article

Land Bank Update
February 7, 2019

Source: KQ2.com

(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) The city-wide issue of abandoned homes is now being heard in Jefferson City.

9th District State Representative Sheila Solon wants to rid the city of St. Joseph of these abandoned properties.

“These are properties that nobody wants, and nobody is buying,” Solon said.  “They are staying vacant and remaining vacant.”

Solon says there are 478 properties spread out across the city that are abandoned, properties that leave negative effects on the community.

“When you have abandoned properties on a block, it makes people feel unsafe,” Solon said.

Solon has introduced legislation to start a land bank, she said its an effort backed by the city mayor, Chamber of Commerce and residents who want to see the city look better.

For full article, please click on the source link above.

St. Louis Prepares to Launch ‘Dollar House’ Program

Land Bank Update
January 28, 2019

Source: St. Louis Public Radio (NPR)

St. Louis homebuyers will soon be able to purchase some city-owned properties at a deep discount.

The going rate? One dollar.

Beginning this month, the Land Reutilization Authority will sell certain residential properties in the city’s land bank through the “Dollar House” pilot program. It’s part of an effort to reduce the number of vacant, city-owned properties and revitalize fading neighborhoods.

For full article, please click the source link above.

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