Archives For: Industry Update

Forbearance Falls Below 1 Percent

MBA has estimated 470,000 homeowners remain in forbearance, bringing the total number of mortgage loans in forbearance below 1%.

23 May 2022

Neighborhood Groups Can Soon Apply for Vacant Land Improvement Funds

The city of Detroit and the Wayne Metro Community Agency are working to create the Neighborhood Beautification Program, which will allow Detroiters to apply for funding to repurpose vacant land in neighborhoods.

19 May 2022

President Biden Announces New Action to Ease the Burden of Housing Costs

President Biden is releasing a Housing Supply Action Plan to ease the burden of housing costs over time, by boosting the supply of quality housing in every community.

16 May 2022

CFPB Report Analyzes Servicer Data on Borrowers Exiting COVID Forbearance

CFPB reports that just 0.2% of loans are exiting COVID forbearance with a status of foreclosure, short sale or deed in lieu.

16 May 2022

Flint Plans to Build Up Blight Department before Massive Demolition Program Begins

Flint plans to clean up the city by adding additional employees and equipment to tackle blight ahead of a massive demolition program.

16 May 2022

FHA Bids to Outmaneuver Investors in Favor of Underserved Buyers

FHA has announced a 30-day exclusive period to give underserved buyers and non-profits an opportunity to bid on foreclosed properties before investors.

16 May 2022

Butler County Land Bank Adds Another Township

The Butler County Land Bank has added Milford Township to the list of communities benefiting from the $7.8 million spent in the last decade to demolish vacant structures.

14 May 2022

Julia Gordon Confirmed as FHA Commissioner

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Julia Gordon as commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration and assistant secretary of housing at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

12 May 2022

U.S. Foreclosure Activity in April 2022 Declines Slightly

ATTOM’s April US Foreclosure Market Report showed that foreclosure filings were down 8% from the previous month, but up 160% from a year ago.

10 May 2022

Fannie Mae Earns ENERGY STAR Recognition for 2022 Environmental Sustainability Achievements

Fannie Mae announced it earned the 2022 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy

6 May 2022

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties