Archived News Articles 8-30-2004 through 7-1-2005

AmeriRisk Announces Name Change, States Goals	7-1-2005
Stan Crane, President and COO of AmeriRisk Field Inspections, announced today that along with separation from partner InspectaRisk, AmeriRisk has formally changed their name to AmeriTask, LLC. AmeriRisk has formally severed strategic partnership ties with InspectaRisk. In doing so, and to assert future goals of expanding services offered, a more suitable name was established. AmeriTask LLC will be offering a wider variety of field services, expanding from their past limitations of Insurance Risk inspections. In announcing formal separations and name change, Stan Crane offers AmeriTask's commitment to field support with 30 day turn-around on payments for services and compensation in the event of a failed cycle. AmeriTask, LLC is part of the AmeriClaim Group which offers a variety of insurance support services. Additional information about AmeriTask, LLC can be found on their website at http://www.ameritask.com
HUD Encourages Joint Pre-Conveyance Inspections	05-17-2005
In Mortgagee Letter 2005-22, HUD discusses the concept of mortgagee representatives meetings with M&M Contractors at properties prior to conveyance. This would allow the Mortgagee and the M&M to review a property together and allows for identification of any additional requirements that must be met prior to conveyance. The HUD Management and Marketing Contractors are not required to conduct these inspections but HUD is "encouraging" them . Two beneficial aspects of completing a joint pre-conveyance inspection would be mutual agreement as to whether a property is in fact in conveyance condition and/or reducing the likelihood of unexpected sanctions imposed when a property is determined as damaged after conveyance. HUD will allow mortgagees to claim the cost of this additional inspection as long as it does not coincide with regular scheduled inspections. Read the entire letter at http://www.hudclips.org/sub_nonhud/cgi/nph-brs.cgi?d=MLET&s1=05-$[no]&op1=AND&SECT1=TXTHLB&SECT5=MLET&u=./hudclips.cgi&p=1&r=8&f=G or in .pdf format at ml2005-22.pdf Back to titles
East Point Systems Announces Technology Conference	02-2-2005
Dates: March 5-6, 2005 in Vernon CT 06066. Interested parties should call EPS at 860-730-6394 or 860-729-1019 or email paul.taff@eastpointsystems.com Back to titles
SIRs Will Not be Attending Safeguard Properties, Inc. "National Property Preservation Conference 2004" but Not For the Lack of a Confirmed Early Registration.	10-26-2004
Safeguard Properties, Inc. is hosting an “industry wide” event in Washington DC. Cost to attend - $500 if you are not a “Servicer”. The “Property Preservation Conference 2004” is scheduled for November 3 - 5 and purportedly will be attended by HUD, VA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and representatives of the new HUD Prime Management and Marketing award winners. Safeguard Properties, Inc. has been promoting and advertising their conference since late August 2004. SIRs registered to attend this conference on October 2, as an “Early Registration”. Cost - $450.00 as we are not a "Servicer". Confirmation of registration was received on October 14 from Mary Kraweci Marketing Assistant of Safeguard Properties, Inc. With confirmation in hand, air fare and other arrangements were made for John Cahill, SIRs Government Liaison to attend this "industry wide" event. However, on October 19, a Nicole Alling, Marketing Manager of Safeguard Properties, Inc., sent an email stating “contractors registrations are put on hold due to the limited amount of attendees”. What? Confirmations received are meaningless? Contractor? Excuse us, SIRs is an organization. Limited Attendees? Where exactly might that be on Safeguard Properties, Inc. array of advertisement for their conference - certainly not in Servicing Management, REO Magazine or even on their own website. Ms. Alling was contacted regarding SIRs being an organization and not a contractor. Ms. Alling stated the issue would be taken to a "committee" for consideration. It has been over a week and Ms. Alling has been left several messages with absolutely no response regarding this irregularity. Robert Klein, President and CEO of Safeguard Properties, Inc of Brooklyn Heights Ohio was provided opportunity to comment or rectify this situation prior to publication but failed to respond to both email and phone calls placed to his office. Are not “early registrations” meant to reward those who take advantage of it not only a lower cost but also a “guaranteed” attendance? Early Registrations are typically established not only to take advantage of discounts with the sponsoring entity but typically also guarantee a place as an attendee. Early registrations also allow one to make in-advance hotel and travel arrangements and avoids last minute close-outs of accommodations. Is Safeguard Properties, Inc. immune to cross-industry protocols? Is Safeguard Properties, Inc “National Property Preservation Conference 2004” a private party pretending to be an "industry-wide" conference? Are not private parties generally free? Does Safeguard Properties, Inc. interpret "industry wide" to mean "selective audience"? If so, what is the exact criteria of selection which is defined in their terms of "industry wide"? Do the Government Entities of HUD and DVA realize they are attending a selective audience event? Does Safeguard Properties, Inc. not want organizations at their conference which is to be "devoted solely to property preservation issues in the mortgage servicing industry" ¹ and which is to "bring together ... property preservation experts"? Is Safeguard Properties, Inc. not aware that SIRs had the only available industry wide property preservation certification exam developed? Does Safeguard Properties, Inc. not realize SIRs has been promoting that professional and ethical practices must be applied to the current property preservation services being rendered by the mortgage servicing industry? What happened to the "opportunity to bring the entire industry together in one room" where Safeguard Properties, Inc. wished to make "this a town hall meeting type of format"? ². SIRs does not recollect town hall type meetings as being exclusive and SIRS does not believe that "the entire industry" is comprised of a selective group. Was Safeguard Properties, Inc. statements regarding the purpose of this conference just a sales pitch to lure the government entities and servicers to their private event? Do these statements made by Robert Klein during interviews with REO Magazine and in public advertisements constitute "false advertising" ? SIRs assumes only those “approved” to attend the conference will know. It is our opinion that if Safeguard Properties, Inc. had wanted to host a private event with select attendees, they should not have advertised the event as a National Conference and should not have charged an admission fee. IF Safeguard Properties decides to open their conference to "the entire industry" and honor the Confirmed Early Bird reservation placed by SIRs - we'll see you there. Otherwise, SIRs will not be in attendance but not of our own choosing. 1 Safeguard Properties, Inc. advertisement in Servicing Management Magazine Vol. 16, No. 3 October 2004; REO Magazine September 2004 Vol 2, Issue 8; 2 - REO Magazine September 2004 Vol 2, Issue 8; "Event Spotlight - National Property Preservation Conference 2004" direct quote as written of statements made by Robert Klein, President & CEO of Safeguard Properties, Inc.. Back to titles
Who is a SIRs Member? Who is a Certified Property Preservation Specialist?	8-30-2004
In recent months it appears advertising membership in SIRs has proven beneficial - even to those who are not SIRs members! As SIRs is serious about providing quality field servicing and requires a strong commitment of our membership, we are a bit concerned over falsely advertising membership to our organization and / or falsely advertising being a Certified Property Preservation Specialist. SIRs is very proud of our membership for the commitment made to the industry. We are also proud of those property preservation specialists, both members and non-members alike, who have passed the Certification Exam. Our membership roster is public information and freely accessed at http://www.sirs4quality.org/reps.htm Only those who are full members are listed in this area. We do have mentored members and associate members. These may or may not be listed in the free field service directory under their respective services section. You may also verify a potential vendor's status by emailing Mimi Norris at Our Property Preservation exam is available to all within the industry, regardless of their membership in SIRs. Taking the exam does not involve any commitment to SIRs. Those who have taken and passed the Property Preservation Certification Exam receive both a seal and a suitable for framing certificate verifying their ability. You should request a copy of this from any preservation specialist claiming they are certified through SIRs. If you are not sure what our certificate and seal look like, Robert Buchanan of RedARanch has placed his certificate on his website for verification at http://www.redaranch.com/id6.html There are several companies now preferring Certified Property Preservation Specialists vendors - is your company one? What will hiring a SIRs member do for your company? SIRs members are committed to quality services. They are obligated to provide your company with the best the industry has to offer. Their membership in our organization is dependent upon providing services that meet or exceed guarantor guidelines. Your properties will be secured, winterized, and maintained to your expectations without fail. If you are requesting inspection services, you can depend upon timely, accurate inspection services by inspectors that actually visit properties for you and your clientele. All SIRs members receive both a field manual and HUD guidelines. If you are not happy with SIRs membership services, you can let us know and we will address the issue with the member. What does SIRs offer the industry? SIRs offers trained and educated field service providers who know how to perform the services they are offering. SIRs offers a free field service industry directory where SIRs members can be found with the identification "SIRs Member" next to their name. SIRs provides a variety of information services free to visitors as well as exclusively for its membership. SIRs is the first organization for this industry to offer an inexpensive (just $40) certification program for preservation mechanics - a tangible and verifiable avenue of knowing the holder is familiar with property protection services, how to perform them and HUD / DVA guarantor guidelines for completion. Our directory also will identify whether or not a preservation mechanic is a Certified Property Preservation Specialist by placing designations below their name in the Property Preservation directory. SIRs is offering the field service industry a choice between unskilled or untrained services and quality services with companies that will stand behind their services. Take your stand today by either hiring a verified SIRs member and/or joining SIRs. Membership is for those who are serious about their business! Back to titles Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.