Safeguard Properties

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – California Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 13, 2024  

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of California to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe winter storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides from January 31 – February 9, 2024.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Butte
  • Glenn
  • Los Angeles
  • Monterey
  • San Luis Obispo
  • Santa Barbara
  • Santa Cruz
  • Sutter
  • Ventura

 

California Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides (DR-4769-CA)

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

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

HUD Announces $10 Million Funding Opportunity for Community Revitalization Efforts

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 9, 2024

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Adrianne Todman announced a new notice of funding opportunity through the FY24 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant that will provide $10 million to support local planning efforts to revitalize communities. She made this announcement while addressing stakeholders at the annual National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials conference.

“These resources support the creation and preservation of housing, and enhances community amenities, like grocery stores and parks,” said Acting Secretary Todman. “Paired with meaningful community engagement and thoughtful planning, this funding opportunity will help leaders and neighbors improve quality of life and attract the partners and resources that communities deserve.”

Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants support the development of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans which focuses on directing resources to address three core goals: Housing, People and Neighborhoods. To achieve these goals, communities must develop and implement a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy, or Transformation Plan. The Transformation Plan will then become the guiding document for the revitalization of the public and/or assisted housing units while simultaneously directing the transformation of the surrounding neighborhood and positive outcomes for families.

“Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants lead to real results for public housing communities,” said Richard Monocchio, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. “Planning Grants are a great first step to bringing partners and significant resources to distressed communities – and they better position communities to pursue the funding necessary to bring a community’s vision to life.”

Approximately 20 communities will be selected for Planning Grant funding, continuing the expansion of HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods program. These grants may provide funding to communities of all sizes, including small towns, mid-sized cities, large urban areas, and tribal communities. Planning Grantees will receive additional points and priority in future Implementation Grant applications. Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants provide up to $50 million to implement the community Transformation Plan.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

FHFA Names Tracy Stephan as Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 9, 2024

Source: National Mortgage Professional

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced Tracy Stephan will assume the role of Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO), in addition to continuing her role leading the FHFA Office of Financial Technology.

“Establishing a Chief AI Officer underscores FHFA’s commitment to understanding new developments in technology and the marketplace and incorporating those insights into our day-to-day work,” said FHFA Director Sandra Thompson. “Through her role leading the Office of Financial Technology, Tracy has been a leader in FHFA’s work on AI and she is well prepared to lead this into the future.”

Per a release from the FHFA, the CAIO will manage AI risk, promote AI innovation, and lead effective AI governance per the Executive Order 14110 on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, as well as the related Office of Management and Budget Memo on Advancing Governance, Innovation and Risk Management for Agency Use of Artificial Intelligence.

Stephan, a 25-year veteran in mortgage technology, currently leads FHFA’s Office of Financial Technology. Stephan leads a team responsible for supporting the Agency’s efforts to identify technology-driven developments in housing finance, understanding the associated risks, and facilitating the development of responsible innovation in FHFA’s regulated entities.

Previously, Stephan worked for Fannie Mae in a variety of positions overseeing Enterprise Innovation, Data, Software Engineering, and Product Management. Stephan holds a bachelor’s degree in Decision Science and Information Systems from George Mason University.​

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

U.S. Foreclosure Activity Increases Quarterly in Q1 2024

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 10, 2024

Source: ATTOM

ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property, and real estate data, released its Q1 2024 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows a total of 95,349 U.S. properties with a foreclosure filings during the first quarter of 2024, up 3 percent from the previous quarter but down less than 1 percent from a year ago.

The report also shows a total of 32,878 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings in March 2024, down less than 1 percent from the previous month and down 10 percent from a year ago.

“Q1 2024’s foreclosure data reveals a market in transition, with slight increases in filings and starts, alongside a notable decrease in REO properties,” explains Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM. “While foreclosures remain relatively stable, we’re closely monitoring these trends. Homeowners continue to hold significant equity, contributing to a persistently hot housing market.”

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – Oklahoma 57 Fire

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 6, 2024  

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Oklahoma to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the Happy Jack Fire beginning April 6, 2024 and continuing.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Woodward

 

Oklahoma 57 Fire (FM-5491-OK)

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 – Alaska Severe Storm, Flooding, and Landslides

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 6, 2024

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Alaska to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe storm, flooding and landslides from November 20. 2023.  The following areas have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Southeast Island Regional Educational Attendance Area

 

Alaska Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (DR-4767-AK)

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

Map of Affected Area

 

Please note:  The areas declared are considered unorganized boroughs and do not have associated 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

CoreLogic: US Mortgage Delinquencies, Foreclosure Begin 2024 Exceptionally Low

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
March 28, 2024

Source: CoreLogic

CoreLogic®, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, today released its monthly Loan Performance Insights Report for January 2024.

In January 2024, 2.8% of all mortgages in the U.S. were in some stage of delinquency (30 days or more past due, including those in foreclosure), unchanged year-over-year from January 2023 and down by -0.3 percentage points month over month from December 2023.

The U.S. housing market posted an overall mortgage delinquency rate of 2.8% in January, which remains near an all-time low.

Both the serious delinquency and foreclosure rates also hovered near historic lows in January, a respective 1% and 0.3%.

Twelve states saw overall mortgage delinquencies increase year over year in January; 19 posted no change and 20 saw slight declines.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation to End the Squatters Scam in Florida

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
March 27, 2024

Full Bill Text:  Florida HB 621

Florida has introduced new legislation, House Bill 621, aimed at addressing the issue of squatters. This law establishes a procedure allowing property owners to request sheriff’s officers to remove unauthorized persons from residential properties. Property owners must file a complaint under penalty of perjury to demonstrate their eligibility for this relief. If the sheriff can verify ownership and the complaint is valid, they are authorized to remove the squatter. This law also introduces new crimes related to unlawfully occupying a dwelling or fraudulently advertising property. It’s set to take effect on July 1, 2024.

For full report, please click the source link above.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Phila Starts Vacant Property Registry

Posted on by Safeguard

One Community Update
March 26, 2024

Source: thebargainhunter.com

Owners of vacant buildings in New Philadelphia must register them with the city within the next 90 days, according to Josh Mathias, the city’s zoning and building code administrator. Mathias outlined the new vacant property registry for city council at its March 25 meeting. Council voted to create the registry last year.

“I keep hearing about people who want to move here, and we’ve got dozens of houses sitting empty,” Mathias said. “Hopefully, this is a nudge to get the property owners to do something with those buildings.”

The new program applies to vacant residential, commercial and industrial properties. A fee will be charged depending on the type of property and length of time it has been vacant.

According to Mathias, there are some properties that will be exempt for anywhere from six months to one year. This includes buildings under active construction or renovation and those that are for sale, as long as they are listed with a realtor licensed by the State of Ohio.

A link to the registration form, a schedule of fees and a list of exempt properties can be found on the city’s Facebook page.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

City Council Passes Vacant Property Registration, Public Nuisance Ordinances

Posted on by Safeguard

One Community Update
March 26, 2024

Source: wrfalp.com

Jamestown City Council has unanimously passed a vacant property registration ordinance and an update to the city’s public nuisance ordinance.

Jamestown Real Estate Investors Association President Brenda Strasser, speaking at privilege of the floor, said the association has met with the city on the public nuisance ordinance but not the others, “I think we need to involve us. A lot of the landlords in the city own properties and I think we should have a little bit of a say rather than having these things just put at us without any kind of input.”

Council President Tony Dolce said it was time to move forward, “When we hear our constituents, they’ll tell us housing, neighborhoods, vacant properties are at the top of the list or near the top of the list. Also, we should note that this is a direction the state is moving in where many communities we modeled this after.”

Dolce said the ordinances aren’t meant to make this harder on landlords, “The Department of Development and City want not only to work with the landlords but with the tenants and to rectify some of the situations that are out there. This is not, in any way, meant to be more punitive. I guess it looks that way if you see some of the penalties, but again, if something comes up we’re willing to work with those tenants and work with those landlords in order to rectify the situation.”

The vacant property registration ordinance will require the residential property owners to register the vacant property for a fee of $250. Commercial property fees will be $1,000 or 5-cents a square foot, whichever is greater. Fees will increase for both vacant residential and commercial properties each year.

The ordinance also states that a Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained before the property is occupied to ensure the health and safety of individuals in the building.

 

For full report, 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