Donation to Foreclosure Prevention Program Celebrates Conference Milestone

Cleveland, Ohio - August 25, 2009 - The Safeguard Properties Sixth Annual Vendor Conference in Cleveland August 16-19 drew record attendance of 1,200 contractors, inspectors, city officials, clients and investors from across the country.

To celebrate the milestone and honor the thousands of contractors who inspect and maintain defaulted and foreclosed properties for Safeguard clients, company founder and CEO Robert Klein announced a $43,550 additional donation to the Cuyahoga County Foreclosure Prevention Program.  In 2008, Safeguard made a three-year $150,000 grant to the program, which has helped thousands of homeowners in Greater Cleveland avoid foreclosure. 

Cleveland Housing Court Judge Raymond Pianka, a conference keynote speaker, noted in his remarks that companies like Safeguard and their contractors are critical in supporting the efforts of cities to maintain a strong and healthy housing stock.  Judge Pianka thanked and complimented the contractors for their commitment. 

Klein noted that on a monthly basis, Safeguard contractors inspect approximately one million defaulted properties and perform more than 250,000 work orders on vacant properties across the country.

"It's important to recognize that this work is performed by committed and professional people who deliver high quality services every day, often under challenging circumstances," said Klein.  "Our contractors assure that defaulted and foreclosed properties don't contribute to neighborhood blight, and this conference is essential to assure that they have the support and resources they need to do their jobs effectively."

Klein noted that the conference was initiated in 2004 to provide an open forum where contractors and clients could share their perspectives, ask questions and suggest new ideas to improve efficiencies and the quality of services. 

"Every year, there are new challenges, new regulations and new and better ways of doing things," said Klein.  "The fact that the conference has grown every year, passing a 1,000-attendee milestone and reaching 1,200 is proof that the concept works," said Klein.

Safeguard is the largest privately held mortgage field services company in the U.S.  Based in Valley View, Ohio, the company employs more than 700 people, in addition to its network of thousands of contractors across the country.

Media contact: Diane Roman Fusco, director of public relations, diane.fusco@safeguardproperties.com, 800-852-8306, ext. 1213.