Derek Gordon, co owner of Keystone Property Services, has a pretty good piece out on LinkedIn today. In essence, Gordon discusses the recent hiring of Kim Fatica away from SEAS LLC and the swirling of back channel opinions. Before I go further, I want to congratulate Gordon and Keystone Property Services on one thing: Transparency. In today’s Mortgage Field Services Industry, the biggest problem both Contractors and Regulators alike have is the tremendous amount of unregulated mergers which create both monopolies and disenfranchise Contractors. Gordon’s stepping to the plate signals the fact that Keystone Property Services merits a fair shake in the spotlight.
Keystone Property Services, LLC has no financial interest in the media platforms associated with Gulf Thunder Corporation such as Cubic Yard or Mr. Preservation, nor do we ever plan to have. We also have no financial interest in QC University, nor do we ever plan to have.
Out of the plethora of issues, real or imaginary, that Gordon addressed I believe the above quote is most important. Foreclosurepedia’s single, largest concern was the undue influence over media, education and accreditation warehoused under one roof receiving financial sponsorship. It is oft times even the perception that is more catastrophic than anything which is ongoing. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am a capitalist. If I had the opportunity to come in and purchase Company A and gut it to make a profit I would. There is a difference, though, in manufacturing the proverbial widget and saddling yet another financial burden — education — upon the shoulders of Contractors. Make no mistake, that is the direction we will ultimately go. And for there to be a requirement for such — and there will be at least an inevitable requirement for Certification — allowing only the National Association of Mortgage Field Services (NAMFS) to be the ones calling the shots, is not just unwise, but potentially a crime.
Joe Hummel, co owner of Keystone Property Services, and I have bumped heads up and down the cyber highways for months now. I do not really dislike the guy, it is more for the lulz. Hummel is a guy whom took to the Social Media Platforms like a junkie does to a new dope house. All bullshit aside, Hummel has some good stuff here and there. The problem, though, is that if Hummel whom is the Voice of Keystone Property Services is unable to roll with the punches, he probably has no job doing what he does. Now, will Hummel realize that blocking people like Foreclosurepedia and others does nothing but add to the lulz in Hummel telegraphs he is afraid, I do not know. What it does do is create a public perception that Keystone Property Services is hoping to operate in a sterile environment.
Foreclosurepedia fields hundreds of emails a day. As I am the only one working here that presents with quite a challenge. Many are negative; I would say that probably 35 percent on a good day, and some are outright death threats. The reality, though, is that I do not block or ban people. Why? For dialogue to occur, you have to understand that no two people agree with each other on anything. Foreclosurepedia is a lightning rod for dialogue. That is why I am encouraged about Gordon’s Article.
The idea of an accreditation board is overwhelming. What it could mean for our industry can hardly be put into words, and that includes, initially, the accreditation of one or more education platforms. If you understand the implications associated with the idea, then you know how serious the conversation is and how important it is to make sure it is designed correctly.
Gordon’s discussion of accreditation is both poignant and timely. In fact, I spoke with Kim Fatica several weeks ago about the concept and lent support to the concept. I concur in part and dissent in part with Gordon’s perspective. That is good, though, in that Keystone Property Services is a NAMFS Member — not NAMFS Regime — and it is rare that I find common ground with NAMFS. So, let me elucidate a bit in the way that only a trained media professional can,
An accreditation board ABSOLUTELY MUST BE disconnected from the influence of the National Association of Mortgage Field Services until they choose to clean up their Membership. Period. For an accreditation board to have any weight; for the Board to be taken seriously by Congress for legislation and/or proclamation, the Board must be above reproach. That is not to say that NAMFS cannot recommend or contribute, it is to say that any current NAMFS Board Member will not have a role on the Board and receive support from Foreclosurepedia. I believe it goes without saying that any Board will simply be considered as a proxy without our support.
Foreclosurepedia does not believe we have a place at the proverbial Round Table. That is too much power which, if we ever leave, could be abused. So, why allow it to begin in the first place? Now, Foreclosurepedia will contribute in what ways any legitimate Board finds to be prudent such as Polls or conveying information to and from the Field, but we do not feel comfortable in engaging what should be an autonomous Board for political influence. We will have a large Article out on this next week.
Gordon’s discussions on LinkedIn should stand as a testament that transparency is not a bad thing. If I possessed information I could validate which brought into question Gordon’s veracity, then I would publish. Prima facie, Keystone Property Services actions should stand as a monument to the fact that Foreclosurepedia will publish upon those whom are attempting change and are transparent about such.
I want to reiterate that no one is ever going to agree on any two items. Gordon’s stepping to the plate, though, should be seen by both Contractors and Clients alike that Keystone Property Services is on the right side of the coin. The impetus does not fall upon deaf ears when we continue to see the steady march of Regulation into the Industry. When there is no obfuscation, Regulators have no ghosts to pursue.
There is no manual written about how to change a broken system such as the Mortgage Field Services Industry. For those enemies of change; for those recalcitrant to amend their ways of fraud, Foreclosurepedia will stand as a testament to the spirit of humanity which seeks the Truth. Cut from the same cloth, Foreclosurepedia will move mountains for those Firms whom wish to coexist in harmony with Contractors. As a matter of fact, Foreclosurepedia is supporting yet another NAMFS Member, Bret Douglas of Ironclad Preservation, with the endeavor in Florida on 02 August, known as the FAST Conference. The reality is that none of us have a complete answer. We must, one and all, come together and foster the collective belief that in our Great Nation, white and blue collar may come together and solve problems. To address the inequities of pay, we must first establish baselines for which to measure the Industry against.
