Archives For: underwater mortgages

CoreLogic: Number of Underwater US Homes Drops by 15% Annually in Fourth Quarter

CoreLogic released the Homeowner Equity Report for the 4th quarter of 2023, showing the number of mortgages ‘underwater’ dropped by 15% annually.

7 Mar 2024

Top 10 U.S. States with Highest Shares of Underwater Mortgages in Foreclosure in Q2 2023

ATTOM took a deep dive into the data behind its Q2 2023 U.S. Home Equity & Underwater Report to uncover the states where the highest portion of homeowners faced possible foreclosure.

28 Jul 2023

Underwater Mortgages on Decline

DS News published an article discussing ATTOM Data Solutions’ Q1 2017 U.S. Home Equity & Underwater Report.

8 May 2017

Supreme Court Eases Notification Rules for Mortgage Rescissions

On January 13, HousingWire released an article discussing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing borrowers to notify creditors in writing of their intention to rescind their mortgages within three years.

14 Jan 2015

Plans to Use Eminent Domain on Mortgages Stall, But Concerns Remain

On December 8, National Mortgage News published an article discussing the issue of muncipalities using eminent domain to seize underwater mortgages.

9 Dec 2014

FHA Extends Short Refi Program for Two More Years

On November 26, National Mortgage News published an article detailing the Federal Housing Administration’s extension of a principal reduction program through 2016.

2 Dec 2014

Bank of America Mortgage Cases go to the Supreme Court

On November 17, HousingWire published an article discussing the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to hear two cases brought by Bank of America involving underwater mortgages.

18 Nov 2014

Newark, NJ Advances Eminent Domain to Slow Foreclosures

On December 5, National Mortgage News published an article titled Newark Advances Eminent Domain Plan to Slow Foreclosures.

9 Dec 2013

NJ, ACLU, and Others Sue FHFA Over Eminent Domain Controversy

On December 5, nj.com published an article titled N.J. ACLU, Others Sue Federal Agency in Brewing Eminent Domain Controversy.

6 Dec 2013

Eminent Domain Takes Root in Areas of High Unemployment, Poverty

On December 2, DSNews published an article titled Eminent Domain Takes Root in Areas with High Unemployment, Poverty.

3 Dec 2013

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