Archived News Articles - 03-02-2004 through 07-26-2004

To All Parties Responsible for Vacant Properties in Cleveland, Ohio	7-26-2004
It has come to our attention that the City of Cleveland Water Department via a sub-contractor may have inadvertently restored water service to your vacant properties. This fact was discovered by finding a flooded vacant home over the weekend. The WD sub-contractor established temporary service to properties via a by-pass to the exterior of properties. By connecting a hose to the exterior of the property and introducing water, any service plugs that may be in place will have no effect to stop the water from entering the property. If the plumbing lines are damaged in any way, water could possible spray the interior of the property at various locations. If your vacant property was connected to the temporary water service possible flooding and/or mold situations may be in progress. WD cannot verify which areas are being serviced by the subcontractor but stated the project is on-going annually and re-started at the beginning of the season for this year. The property that was discovered was in the 44120 zip code area North of Kinsman however the WD stated that projects are occurring on both the east and west sides of Cleveland in many locations. We are advising immediate inspections of vacant properties in the City of Cleveland to verify if the water has been restored; if flooding is occurring or has occurred; and to disable and post notices on any exterior faucets in such a manner as to alert the sub-contractors to not restore water service to the vacant property; and to re-winterize properties as needed. Photos available for viewing of situation click here Back to Archived Titles
SIRs 2004 Convention Recap	7-18-2004
With all due respect, if you did not attend the SIRs convention, you missed out on the most informative and educational event this industry has offered to date. The speaker line-up was phenomenal and the presentations provided had attending trainers in the front row listening intently and feverishly taking notes. Here's a brief recap of issues you will want to investigate on your own if you missed out. Gerald N. Murphy, foreclosure attorney with Forsyth, Howe, O'Dwyer, Kalb & Murphy, P.C. http://www.forsythhowe.com/ of New York covered the basic facts behind managing your accounts receivables and placing liens when needed to guarantee payments for physical services provided. Harvey M. Nusbaum, SCORE Counselor, http://www.scorerochester.org/ , presented literature and information on the SBA resource partner program S.C.O.R.E. http://www.score.org/ a national volunteer organization of experienced business professionals who offer free, confidential counseling and low cost educational programs to assist new and existing small business owners. There are over 385 chapters nationwide. Richard E. Dunne, Realty Specialist US Dept. of HUD, http://www.hud.gov recapped recent Mortgagee Letters from 2002 to present and HUD's interactive website for preservation and protection. Also discussed was upcoming releases of the contract award winners for the Management and Marketing firms which will oversee conveyance of HUD guaranteed properties. A panel comprised of Richard E. Dunne (HUD); Keith C. Boerner, Loan Guaranty Officer, US Dept of Veterans Administration Manchester NH http://www.vba.va.gov/ro/manchester/lgymain/loans.html ; Mitchell Schneider, Fidelity National Field Services, Inc.http://www.fnfieldserv.com/ ; and Chuck Smith, President Business Ventures Consulting, Inc. http://www.csjr.biz/consulting ; covered the topic of quality control and wet radiant heat winterizations. Paul Taff and Tom Margarido of East Point Systems http://eastpointsystems.com/ presented on Field Comm Software and unification of the field contractors via this unique platform. As an FYI, Field Comm transmissions are completed using SSL technology to provide added security of confidential data. As the only contractor based platform of secure communication between field and home office which also allows secure contractor to contractor communication, Field Comm is endorsed by SIRs. Michael Davis of Savid Technologies Inc., mdavis@savidtech.com presented on Internet Security and protecting not only your private information but the field's obligations to protecting client and customer information under the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act and the consequences of failure in doing so. Chuck Smith of Business Ventures Consulting, Inc., presented on property preservation training and the need for the industry to become certified through the certification program developed by his firm for Society of Independent Representatives. Audience response raised the issues of the level of difficulty of the exam and the need to approach certification as a serious matter deserving of industry-wide participation. Attendees will able to view the actual web-based training program and how the software functions. Key issues such as appropriate tarping, documentation and health and safety sections were printed and on display. The overall theme of the convention was focused on the need of the industry to raise an appropriate level of professionalism of services rendered; protecting your business as well as the sensitive information being relayed between businesses; and the need of services to be uniformly rendered to avoid both liability and consequences which may be forthcoming if standards are not adhered to. SIRs regrets First Preston and the DEA were unable to participate. The new M&M contract awards were discussed and will be announced in the coming weeks. Literature on meth labs and identifying them was distributed to attendees. SIRs members can read a more detailed recap of our convention at http://www.sirs4quality.org/area21/news.htm Back to Archive Titles
Effective Managing of Your Accounts Receivables Equals Pay	7-9-2004
Collecting on over-due receivables can be just a matter of effective communications. Recently, the industry has been a-buzz regarding a "small west coast firm" who is "slow to pay". One industry reference to this issue even promised to warn all new reps listing with their directory with an auto-responder regarding the matter. However, when this writer listed with the directory, no such auto-responder message was received! Rumors and innuendos can make and break companies and several companies have even tossed threats the way of chat groups regarding negative payment messages posted concerning their companies. When the industry appears faced with an issue, it is better to address that issue head-on to get to the facts and put the facts before the industry rather than allow rumor and innuendo to ruin a firm over possible mis-information. SIRs heard such rumor and innuendo, twice now, regarding Coast to Coast Mortgage Services of California. Letters have swamped chat groups and several representative firms approached SIRs regarding what could be done. It appeared their own inquiries were going un-noticed by the company. Not wishing to provide inaccurate information, SIRs has twice approached Coast to Coast and quite rapidly received not only response to the inquiries but also resolution to some $8,000 owed to a small handful of field representatives who responded to SIRs request for validations of the numerous non-payment claims. It would seem, with the quick response to SIRs inquiries as well as the quick resolutions for the representative firms, some claims of non-payment may have been "fluffing" of the issues. It is important for field reps to remember being in business involves not only being able to complete services appropriately for clientele but also includes effective accounts receivables management skills which if lacking should be either outsourced or learned. With any client in any industry, effective communications of terms not only needs discussed prior to service rendering but also followed through with by effective and timely communication to relay payment expectations after the invoice has been submitted. It is not SIRs intent to become a collection agent for the industry nor do we wish to follow through for the industry on how important effective communication is to business in general. However we do wish to inform the industry that we have found Coast to Coast responsive to these concerns and wishing to remit appropriately to all their vendors to maintain the good business relationships they have been able to establish. If there are any field reps who need to resolve a payment issue with Coast to Coast they should contact Mr. George Bigney at Coast to Coast's Accounts Payable Department at GeorgeBigney@coast4u.com SIRs members are welcome to review sample inquiries to effectively communicate with their clients regarding their accounts receivables expectations at Collection Problems Related Stories on the Internet: http://realtytimes.com/rtnews/rtapages/20030206_cartelclassaction.htm Back to Archive Titles
Limited Time Benefit of Being a SIRs Member!	4-24-2004
SIRs is a participating organization for Business Ventures Consulting, Inc. discount program of the property preservation training course offered. Yesterday, BVC announced they will rebate 50% of their training course enrollment fee and pay for a SIRs Property Preservation Certification Exam for all current and new SIRs members who are not yet certified. BVC explained that their goal in providing this rebate is to promote the future of field servicing and property preservation services. Their vision, which SIRs is in agreement with, includes an industry of knowledgeable, trained and certified preservation specialists who understand why services are rendered and how to render them in accordance with industry guidelines to preserve and protect our counties vacant and foreclosed properties. BVC further explained that this offer is available to any organization that wishes to participate in their discount program. Currently only SIRs is participating in this program. BVC stated numerous organizations have been contacted about the program but only SIRs responded and that BVC would like to see other organizations participating to assist their membership in discounts available for training and other services BVC offers. This offer does have a time limit. Details are provided on BVC website. http://csjr.biz/consulting/trainingcourse.htm
HUD's Interactive Website Up and Running	3-2-2004
Richard Dunne of HUD advised yesterday that HUD's new interactive website, which he demonstrated at the Countrywide Conference, is now up and running. SIRs advised Richard Dunne that this information would be distributed to the field. This is a very informative area where those involved with property preservation services can select their state and all guidelines and allowables will be displayed. The visitor also has the option of contacting their local HOC for further guidance directly from this area of HUD's website. Visitors will also be able to select the Preservation and Protection page which will have various clarifications. REO Preservation & Protection Mortgagee Letters are also an option link from this page. The REO Preservation & Protection Cost Schedules URL address is http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/reo/pandpsched/index.cfm Back to Archive Titles