DS News

4 This Month FROM OUR DESK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 DS JOURNAL Federal Reserve Ending Stimulus Program, Castro Confirmed as HUD Secretary, Tight Credit Still Hampers Recovery, Housing Confidence Up but There is Room to Grow, Delinquency Write-off Rate Continues to Drop, Legislation Introduced to Wind Down Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and much more . . . . . . . . . . 7 MOVERS & SHAKERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 STATE OF AFFAIRS e State of Affairs section provides impactful local market information at your fingertips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 DATA & RESEARCH APPLES, ORANGES, AND LEMONS – EFFECTIVELY MEASURING HAZARD CLAIMS MANAGEMENT If the devil is truly in the details, one of those details for mortgage servicers is managing the mortgagee-filed hazard- insurance claims process. By Bernie Dimont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 INDUSTRY INSIGHT Q&A SESSIONS GOOD FOR BUSINESS Knowing which questions to ask is a critical piece to investor success in the changing marketplace. By Terry Sadowski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 MARKET PULSE PREYING FOR PAYOFF Troubled homeowners are easy prey for scammers, but steps can be taken by homeowners and servicers to make sure their investments are protected. By Rebecca B. Walzak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Contributors SANDRA LANE has extensive experience covering the default servicing industry. She contributed regularly to DS News' predecessor, REO Magazine, from 2004 to 2006, covering local market trends, the effects of macroeconomic shifts on market conditions, and "big-picture" analyses of industry-driving indicators. But her understanding of the mortgage and real estate business extends even beyond those precrisis days. She is a former real estate broker and grew up in what she calls "a real estate family." A journalism graduate of the University of North Texas, she has written for various newspapers, trade journals, and major corporations.. BERNIE DIMONT serves as President of Di- mont & Associates, a Wingspan Company. Bernie Dimont practiced insurance and copyright law before founding Dimont & Associates in 1996. ey provide hazard claims and management services to na- tional mortgage service investors, servicers, and GSEs. He has consulted nationwide on hazard insurance services for investors, ser- vicers, and banks. Dimont is a member of the California, New York, and Oklahoma Bar Associations. TERRY SADOWSKI is the chief marketing officer for Assurant Field Asset Services (AFAS). Sadowski joined AFAS over five years ago. Prior to AFAS, he was an executive in general management, strategy, sales, and marketing for 26 years in services, technology, and consumer products for such diverse companies as Cisco Systems, Dell, BellSouth, Dial, and Quaker Oats. During his time at AFAS, Terry has led the successful development of the investor services and the risk management solutions for the company. REBECCA B. WALZAK is President of rjbWalzak Consulting, Inc. After spending her early career working in the origination and servicing domains, she settled in the area of risk management where she became a subject matter expert. Recognizing the need for quality control representation within the mortgage industry, she worked with the MBA to organize the Quality Assurance committee and served as its chair in 1996. After spending 25 years in the Washington D.C. area, she moved to south Florida where she established her consulting practice. Join the Conversation Do you have a suggestion, story idea, or feedback you'd like to share with DS News readers? Help shape our next issue and e-mail Editor@DSNews.com. A U G U S T 2 0 1 4 C o n t e n t s D S N E W S . C O M 60 7 68 While data shows that the housing industry is making a significant rebound, some housing market investors are finding that in the realm of purchasing of non-performing notes is a mere fantasy. By Sandra Lane 72 64 Golden Investment or Fairy Tale?

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