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34 in the field to advise them on the potential path of destruction and which assets are at risk. Doing so helps servicers understand what areas may be impacted so they can prepare for sound, data-based business decisions when ordering inspections and dealing with the impact of a natural disaster. e first line of defense is communica- tion. Property preservation companies need to engage their mortgage servicing partners with customized, ongoing disaster updates. Researching projected impacted areas, pulling news articles on impending storms or fires, and comparing that information to the servicers' portfolios is key to providing them with as much information as possible so they can make better business decisions. Utilizing information from inspectors in the field narrows the scope of properties impacted and can potentially save servicers' money on what properties actually need attention. Using damage-level mapping algorithms, companies can compare the client's delinquent and current loan portfolios to the data of which areas were impacted using property information tied to ZIP Code assessments based on damage levels. But analyzing data does not stop there. Once the disaster strikes, damage assessments need to be updated on a daily basis for the servicers to effectively manage their portfolios. Property preservation companies also need to get a better understanding of how clients want to interact with impacted borrowers with current loans. is is relatively unfamiliar ter- ritory for those companies and their inspector networks who typically only complete services on vacant properties. Also, many servicers choose to inspect current Federal Housing Administration loans, but investors do not pay for these additional inspections. Property preservation companies need to work with their servicing partners on billing and whether the borrower will be assessed the cost of the in- spections. Currently, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the only investors that will reimburse for inspections on current assets during major storms or disasters. In addition to understanding the interac- tion with borrowers, property preservation companies need to be aware of their servicing clients' objectives and realize that ordering inspections on current loans is a major system change on their side. ere is an established system in place for delinquent accounts that sets off a nearly automated workflow. However, that functionality does not typically exist for current portfolios. Another concern is ensur- ing inspector requests meet requirements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for both current and delinquent properties to ensure proper reimbursement from the investor. Some servicers also give allowables for relief orders to assist borrowers if the property is current and occupied and to aid delinquent properties in damage mitigation. is includes things like pulling out carpet before mold growth. Property preservation companies can help borrowers find a contractor who can perform those services quickly. After a major disaster, it is critical for prop- erty preservation companies to have regular conversations with their servicing clients to ensure everyone has the latest information and is on the same page. An effective best practice after the disaster hits is for the preservation company to host industry calls so their staff can have direct conversations with key people in the servicing world. e purpose of these calls is to provide the latest impact update and assist mortgage ser- vicers on when and where to order inspections to aid in cost control. It also helps in sharing resources and capacities in completing these additional inspections. e call also serves as a way to update servicers on what it really looks like on the ground after the storm. Servic- ing clients can ask questions, voice concerns, and collaborate in developing best practices to manage these added inspections and services. ey can also learn more about the technology, data, and mapping tools that will help them in determining next steps and the course of action following a major disaster. PLAY 2: HAVING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT Technology and data are the key attributes to effective disaster management before, dur- ing, and after a disaster. Mortgage servicers are looking to assess the damage to both their current and delinquent properties as quickly as possible. But this is a challenge, especially in cases like Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria last September, when many of the impacted areas were inaccessible because of downed trees and power lines, and washed-out or closed bridges and roads. Overhead imaging serves as an alternative when property preservation inspectors cannot access properties in areas impacted by disasters. Satellite and airplane flyovers are very expen- sive and require third-party assistance. e use of drones in property preservation has been a topic of interest in recent years. ey served as additional components in information and image gathering after the string of hurricanes in Texas, Florida, and especially Puerto Rico in 2017. Property preservation companies' inspector networks were able to utilize them as a cost-effective way to perform initial damage assessments. Utilizing the imagery captured both overhead by drones and through their inspector networks, property preservation companies can overlay it geographically. Client portfolio information and satellite imagery are imported into mapping tools to determine which proper- ties were potentially affected. Information from the U.S. Geographical Survey (USGS) is utilized for information on conditions such as wind speeds and flooding. e servicers use that analysis to address their portfolios and proactively assist their customers. Mobile technology and smart scripting play an important role in assessing property damage following a major disaster. e scripts can eas- ily be adjusted to ensure inspectors gather the appropriate information and photos. at in- formation comes into the property preservation company's automated workflow system and the damage is assessed quickly to determine which properties require immediate attention. Servicers are notified of the results quickly and advised on how to proceed. In addition to delinquent properties they normally service, preservation companies also need to geocode servicers' properties that have current loans. ey typically will utilize longi- tude and latitude coordinates from the address to identify the property's geolocation, a process similar to locating and performing services on a vacant or abandoned property. is creates a pin on the map to provide an intricate overlay identifying sectors that are damaged, with data

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