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64 Since the video is streamed from the contractor's device, storage is not necessary and will not create additional storage costs for them. at video can be sent along to clients for bid approvals and the work can be completed within the same day. Geo-location technology will continue to serve as a quality control measure for determining the correct property location. rough the use of mobile devices and applications that collect meta data, including the longitude and latitude of where photos are taken, field services providers know if a contractor or inspector is at the correct property and can track that information for each visit. Geo-location technologies also can be utilized to assign urgent or rush orders quickly to contractors working in the field. If activated on their mobile devices, location services can track contractors who then can be notified if an order pops up in their area. is is done so that not only the field servicers, but also its main vendor businesses, have a complete understanding where people are located for quality control and accuracy. In instances when an escalated or rush order needs completed, field services companies can rely on geo-location services to identify where contractors and their subs are located for more efficient deployment. ose closest to the property get the rush work order. In addition to collecting longitude and latitude data, field services providers, through the use of mobile devices, also collect millions of points of other property information. For those national companies that service properties in all 50 states across the country, that data is rich with information that can be utilized to predict certain outcomes or behaviors in neighborhoods and communities across the country. is is called predictive analytics, which aids in explaining a property's story to investors by identifying neighborhood trends -- like how many homes need windows boarded or what is the frequency of vandalism? Knowing this information in advance helps field servicers and their servicing clients determine if services need to be ramped up or altered in any way to fit the neighborhood's needs. In setting the tone for 2016, mobile services and devices will remain the king of efficient and accurate property preservation. It seems like a million years ago companies were cleaning off fax machines filled with work orders and receiving multiple delivery trucks a day filled with thousands of printed photos. In just a few short years, mobile has opened up all of the possibilities outlined above in addition to providing additional layers of quality control. With the click of a few buttons, field services companies can ensure the right person – one who has a completed background check and correct licensing on file – is at the right location and for the proper amount of time – time stamping shows the time and date captured for each photo submitted. NEIGHBORHOOD STANDARD Residents in neighborhoods across the country have been touched in some way by the foreclosure crisis. Median incomes, economics and location do not matter. Every community has felt its devastating effects. But those residents do not know the difference between vacant and abandoned properties in presale and those in REO, or post-sale, status. All they see is what can potentially be an eyesore or blight in their community. at's why in 2016 it is encouraging to see more uniformity between city regulations and investor and client guidelines. It shows progress and promise that these entities also are raising the property preservation bar in all stages of default. Because it has been proven that REO properties receive fewer municipal code violations, many servicers have begun the process of ensuring all properties are serviced to fit the neighborhood's standards in both presale and REO. is includes completing additional services like repairing gutters and power washing the siding and driveway – issues that may have been potential municipal code violations in the past. It also includes mulching and weeding flowerbeds not just for an REO property, but in pre-sale as well. As those chosen as the boots on the ground, it is the responsibility of field services companies to ensure these properties are reflecting that community standard to continue to eliminate blight across the country. NEW INVESTOR GUIDELINES Late last year, several investors released new inspector guidelines, outlining many of the best practices already implemented at field services companies. What is evident in these updated guidelines is that investors are seeking more information on their vacant and abandoned properties and those entering the properties to perform services. e investors' request for more information is not only evidence of the heightened scrutiny the mortgage servicing industry will continue to face in 2016, but also an encouraging move that shows an increased interest in protecting these properties. is longer list of oversight helps field services companies sharpen their quality controls as they aim to comply on behalf of their servicing clients. e highly-anticipated U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) property preservation guidelines will be released this year. ere is a lot of speculation surrounding this release, but the hope is that these guidelines mirror best practices, processes and quality controls already established by the field services industry. Again, there is a need for uniformity in things like vacancy definitions and compliance with local codes and ordinances without having to seek additional bids. ese ideals will aid in improving conveyance performance by putting in place allowables for common city requirements and ordinances. It maximizes efficiency as approvals are received up-front to comply with ordinances and property issues then can be mitigated quickly. ese guidelines will make a huge impact on the industry in 2016, and it is predicted that they will not only help create more uniformity in property preservation but also a better end- product for neighborhoods and communities across the country. e future looks a little brighter for mortgage servicing and its field services partners. is "new normal" in the housing industry is settling in as all parties come to terms with embracing the changes and new regulations. Utilizing new technologies, preserving properties to neighborhood standards and embracing new investor guidelines will have positive impacts on the industry and those businesses that are willing to accept the evolution in 2016. "The highly-anticipated U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) property preservation guidelines will be released this year. There is a lot of speculation surrounding this release, but the hope is that these guidelines mirror best practices, processes and quality controls already established by the field services industry."

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