Safeguard Properties

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – Texas Windy Deuce Fire

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
February 27, 2024  

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Texas to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the Windy Deuce Fire beginning February 27, 2024 and continuing.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Moore

 

Texas Windy Deuce Fire (FM-5487-TX)

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 Fire Management Assistance Declaration – Texas Smokehouse Creek Fire

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
February 27, 2024  

***LAST UPDATED 3/13/24***

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Texas to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the Smokehouse Creek Fire beginning February 27, 2024 and continuing.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Hemphill
  • Hutchinson
  • Roberts

 

Texas Smokehouse Creek Fire (FM-5488-TX)

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 – New Hampshire Severe Storm and Flooding

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
February 27, 2024  

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of New Hampshire to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe storm and flooding from December 17-21, 2023.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Carroll
  • Coos
  • Grafton

 

New Hampshire Severe Storm and Flooding (DR-4761-NH)

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

Map of Affected Area

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

Wheeling Council: Vacant Building Code Can Be Reviewed, but it is Working

Posted on by Safeguard

One Community Update
February 21, 2024

Source: The Intelligencer

City officials on Tuesday night agreed that Wheeling’s Vacant Building Code does a good job in keeping property owners from letting structures fall into disrepair, but council members noted that the code could be tweaked to be more flexible for those working to get their buildings occupied.

During Tuesday night’s meeting of Wheeling City Council, several members commented on a recent case in Center Wheeling in which a building owner had been fined $7,000 after hitting snags with a significant redevelopment of adjacent buildings on Chapline Street. That investor, Lambros Tsuhlares, ended up selling the buildings and giving up on his plan to open an art studio in Center Wheeling.

“It may be worth looking at our Vacant Building Program to look at any tweaks that may need to be made, but this program is incredibly valuable,” Councilman Ben Seidler said.

Seidler noted that in the past year or so, Wheeling City Council allocated $1 million to its demolition budget, resulting in the demolition of 75 dilapidated structures in the city.

“Losing 75 structures due to blight and dilapidation is horrible,” Seidler said. “That’s one of the reasons why our Vacant Building Program is so important. It’s not really that overarching.”

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ICE: Mortgage Delinquency Rates Decreased in January

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
February 23, 2024

Source: Calculated Risk

In an expected rebound from December’s calendar-driven rise, the national delinquency rate dropped to 3.38% in January, the lowest since October, and flat from the same time last year.

Past-due mortgages were down across the board, as inflows and rolls to later stages of delinquency fell, while early- and late-stage delinquency cures improved.

Serious delinquencies (loans 90+ days past due but not in active foreclosure) were down 109K (-19%) year over year, with the population now at 470K.

Representing 7.2% of serious delinquencies, January’s 34K foreclosure starts – the most since April 2022 – marked a +43.3% month over month jump, driven in part by seasonal pressures.

The number of loans in active foreclosure rose 7K to 219K, but remained 23% below (-64K) pre-pandemic levels.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share of Mortgage Loans in Forbearance Decreases Slightly in January

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
February 20, 2024

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) monthly Loan Monitoring Survey revealed that the total number of loans now in forbearance decreased by 1 basis point from 0.23% of servicers’ portfolio volume in the prior month to 0.22% as of January 31, 2024. According to MBA’s estimate, 110,000 homeowners are in forbearance plans. Mortgage servicers have provided forbearance to approximately 8.1 million borrowers since March 2020.

In January 2024, the share of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans in forbearance declined 2 basis points to 0.13%. Ginnie Mae loans in forbearance remained the same at 0.39%, and the forbearance share for portfolio loans and private-label securities (PLS) increased 1 basis point to 0.28%.

“The combination of a potential economic slowdown in 2024, and indications that consumer debt balances and delinquencies are on the rise[1], could lead to more homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments and inquire about forbearance and available loan workout options,” said Marina Walsh, CMB, MBA’s Vice President of Industry Analysis. “Most pandemic-related protocols have sunset, which gives mortgage servicers different rules of engagement when it comes to assisting borrowers through loan forbearance or a loan workout.”

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – North Dakota Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
February 15, 2024  

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 a severe winter storm and straight-line winds from December 25-27, 2023.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Barnes
  • Cass
  • Dickey
  • Grant
  • LaMoure
  • Logan
  • McIntosh
  • Ransom
  • Richland
  • Sargent
  • Steele
  • Stutsman
  • Traill

 

North Dakota Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds (DR-4760-ND)

Map of Affected Area

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 – Washington Wildfires

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
February 15, 2024  

***LAST UPDATED 4/10/24***

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Washington to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by wildfires from August 18-25, 2023.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • Spokane

Public Assistance:

  • Spokane
  • Whitman

 

 

Washington Wildfires (DR-4759-WA)

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

Map of Affected Area

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 – California Severe Storm and Flooding

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
February 19, 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 a severe storm and flooding from January 21-23, 2024.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • San Diego

 

California Severe Storm and Flooding (DR-4758-CA)

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

Map of Affected Area

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

City Council Approves Vacant-Building Ordinance: Owners of Empty Buildings Must Provide Plans or Face Fines

Posted on by Safeguard

One Community Update
February 15, 2024

Source: Yahoo! News

The Bakersfield City Council has taken another big step in an ongoing fight against blight within the city’s older urban core, putting some teeth in its efforts.

Bakersfield’s municipal government handed out $1 million to 22 local businesses through its Economic Opportunity Area Program just last month, assisting property owners whose buildings need repairs or upgrades in order to remain commercially viable.

Now, too few property owners whose vacant buildings have became attractive nuisances have demonstrated a real willingness to do something.

So much for the carrot. Behold the stick.

The city council approved a vacant nuisance registry ordinance Wednesday night that requires owners of unused, empty buildings  – both downtown and in Old Town Kern – to file paperwork with the city and place prominent signage that lists their name and contact information.

By a 5-2 vote, the council OK’d the ordinance calling on owners of properties left vacant for at least 30 days to submit a plan for the site. Failure to comply could mean fines or liens against those owners.

 

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