Washington, D.C. - The mortgage and field servicing industries continue to navigate through unprecedented times in the housing market.  Addressing the impacts resulting from the foreclosure crisis has presented a volume of challenges, as well as new opportunities. These recently took center stage as industry professionals gathered at the 6th annual National Property Preservation Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 4-6, 2009. 
 
From the opening remarks by MBA President and CEO John Courson through the final session entitled "Community Impact", the record number of participants representing all sectors including servicers, field service providers, municipal authorities, attorneys, and non-profit leaders engaged in open dialogue, collaboration, and creative thought focused on overcoming the myriad of obstacles impacting the industry.
 
The conference, organized and facilitated by Safeguard Properties, was highlighted by:

• Keynote addresses by the newly appointed HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing Vicki Bott, along with HUD Director of Single Family Asset Management Vance Morris. Ms. Bott and Mr. Morris outlined the current strengths of FHA/HUD and their visions for the future;
• The "State of the Industry" session offered a high level overview of the current and future state of the industry, provided by industry executives;
• An overview and discussion of the upcoming changes to HUD's disposition methods that will be incorporated into the new "M&M III" contract;
• Review of Federal, State, and local legislation impacting the industry, along with solid, viable solutions to these issues (MERS Initiative, ROOF Agreement, Receivership, and others);
• A discussion of best practices to new developments impacting the industry (S.896 Protecting Tenants after Foreclosure Act) ; and
• A discussion on how to improve communication with municipalities thereby building relationships that collaborate in achieving goals such as reducing urban blight and revitalizing communities.

Safeguard Properties hosted its Sixth Annual Vendor Conference in Cleveland, Ohio August 17-19. This conference brought together a record 1100 contractors and inspectors from all across the country as well as executives from a number of loan servicers, Fannie Mae (FNMA), the Veterans Administration (VA) and a number of our clients. The three-day conference highlighted the state of the industry, and focused on best practices in maintaining and preserving our clients’ properties and the nation’s housing stock.

The fifth annual National Property Preservation Conference drew a wide range of mortgage service professionals and industry insiders from across the country for three days of discussion and sharing of knowledge.