VRM Mortgage Services, a real estate solution provider focused on helping financial institutions adapt and excel in a changing marketplace, announced the creation of its locally-sourced property preservation panel. Launching in seven cities with discounted certification events, local companies will be asked to provide comprehensive initial and ongoing preservation and maintenance services in the marketplaces they currently serve. The initiative will launch in Jacksonville, Fla., on March 23 with additional certification events during April and May in Raleigh, N.C.; Carrollton, Texas; Detroit, Mich.; Tucson, Ariz.; Hampton, Va. and Atlanta, Ga.

“By engaging with local businesses, we’re increasing our presence at a local level across the country to help better serve our clients,’ said Keith Murray, president and chief executive officer of VRM Mortgage Services. “In addition to working with the people who know these communities best, we’re also able to help those local economies in a practical way.”

Selected providers will be expected to perform a variety of traditional property preservation and maintenance services. VRM Mortgage Services is particularly interested in small businesses (less than $7 million in annual sales), veteran owned small businesses, service disabled veteran owned small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone small businesses and woman-owned small businesses to register. Due to the local nature of the assignments in each city, the provider’s coverage must include employees or direct line contractors within a 50 mile radius of the properties serviced. Certifications will be provided onsite at a discounted rate during events in each city.

“We see an incredible opportunity to use our local broker model to create greater synergies at the neighborhood level with local contractors,” explained Cheryl Travis-Crawford, executive vice president at VRM Mortgage Services. “The agents will be able to partner with vendors they know and trust which should improve their communication and, ultimately, their success.”