Real Estate Specialist

Position Description

Summary

Performs administrative and real estate work in order to sell and acquire real estate for the agency. Performs income verifications regarding Opportunity Home's houses sold under HUD’s Middle Income Program; prepares single-family asset reports, acquisition and/or disposition activities, and monitors the status of various minor construction repairs and/or activities required to sell houses. Prepares sales and appraisal comparisons to assist with setting pricing. Coordinates, reviews, and obtains approvals of all closing documents.

Essential Duties + Responsibilities

The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed. These essential functions require a consistent presence in the work environment on a regular basis and regular attendance must be maintained.

• Prepares documents/reports required to research properties prior to and following acquisition and disposition of single-family properties, such as working with vendors to secure appraisals, contractors for minor repairs, environmental reviews, title companies, pest control services, security services, lawn maintenance, cleaning services, etc.

• Prepare and maintain Asset Management Report for Single Family Homes & Lots.

• Submit request for purchase orders, includes procurement compliance for contractor selection, and assessment of materials needed for the scope of work.

• Monitor and track the progress of approval documents (e.g., Earnest Money Contracts, etc.) that result in the acquisition/disposition of single-family assets.

• Maintains and monitors the Middle Income Homeownership Program and determines eligibility (income, availability of funds, etc.). Ensures applications for assistance are complete and reviews mortgage underwriting commitment letters and closing documents for accuracy.

• Monitors and schedules home inspections, appraisals, and warranty walkthroughs with agents. Negotiates the sale of properties based on reports and Senior staff approval.

• Orders required closing documents. Prepares closing and funding instructions to be sent to the title prior to closing. Prepares funding packages and routing documents for review and final approval of senior staff prior to funding.

• Ensures compliance by reviewing all closing details to meet compliance with state and federal regulations.

• Prepares Restrictive Covenants legal documents and ensures Declarations of Restrictive Covenants are executed and recorded with the district clerk's office succeeding closing.

• Coordinates the day-to-day operations of homeownership programs. Responsible for all incoming emails and phone calls from potential homeowners.

• Communicates to the Development Service Director circumstances that have a potential business impact on the agency's strategic plan, whether positive or negative; if required, provides recommendations for a satisfactory resolution.

• Generates a variety of financial, statistical, technical, or narrative reports for Opportunity Home Senior Team and Board Members on the progress and status of all Homeownership Program properties as requested by the Director.

• Assists with the preparation of scopes of work for formal bids and assists in the coordination of approved contracts to field staff.

• Order documents that include Title Commitments, Special Warranty Deeds, and Partial Releases and review the closing documents to ensure timely transaction closure.

• Coordinate with staff or vendors to ensure maintenance of properties.

• Assist in the coordination of all single-family asset transactions.

• Responsible for maintaining marketing supplies (banners, for sale signage, and brochures for all homeownership programs).

• Established in developing referral resources and building relationships with lenders, realtors, affordable housing organizations, local governments, professional peers, and others.

• Conducts presentations for realtors and mortgage companies at community events to market the program to interested residents who wish to participate.

• Oversee sales by tracking and reporting metrics and meeting/exceeding Middle Income Homeownership Program target home sold metrics.

• Prepares and remits tax exemption packages to tax offices after acquisition of property to clear property taxes.

• Researches all city and lender liens and deeds for the department as requested by project managers, directors, and executives.

• Researches and processes all lien release requests pertaining to Opportunity Home's previous homeownership programs.

• Maintains working knowledge of the Section 32 Homeownership Program, the Westside Reinvestment Initiative Homeownership Program, and HUD requirements. Hold weekly/monthly meetings with the Project Manager, Development Services Manager, and Director to discuss and update the status of single-family real estate assets.

• Monitor Opportunity Home Board Approvals and HUD reporting.

• Complete all duties as assigned or requested as outlined in operational and procedural guidelines. These guidelines are maintained and issued in the event of an emergency situation that arises at a property or any other location that serves our residents or employees.

• Participate in Trauma Informed Care (TIC) initiatives to include training, workgroups, project assignments, etc., that are launched or implemented in order to achieve and/or maintain certification as a TIC organization.

• Recognize the significance of a data driven organization that adheres to expanded policies and practices in the area of data governance. Learn the distinct and different roles to include: Data Trustee, Data Domain Stewards, Data System Custodians, Data Stewards and Data Users. Effectively collaborate with the various data roles as needed on a daily basis or in a project capacity.

• Employees are expected to use Generative AI solutions ethically and responsibly.

1. Other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Competencies

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills

• Values Driven | Demonstrates an understanding of the values (Compassion, Equity and Excellence) and embodies the values in their work and interactions with residents, vendors, co-workers, supervisors, board members, community members, and other stakeholders.

• Customer Service | Responds with Compassion in a professional manner to the expectations and needs of internal and external customers; is friendly and helpful to all customers, fostering positive relationships while providing Excellent service.

• Effective Use of Information | Communicates important information to those who need to know clearly, securely, effectively, orally and/or in writing; proactively exchanges accurate and timely information.

• Commitment and Continuous Improvement | Sets the standard for Excellence by proactively pursuing innovation through systematic experimentation and learning. Corrects mistakes by assessing appropriate processes, proposing adjustments, and prioritizing long-term solutions.

• Teamwork | Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits Compassion, objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; supports everyone's efforts of Excellence; attends, supports, and participates in the organization’s team building events.

• Responsiveness and Accountability | Demonstrates a high level of Excellence and holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; complies with procedures and directives and understands the importance of maintaining and managing confidential information; recognizes and anticipates issues and provides a responsive resolution in a timely manner.

Education

Required

• • Two (2) years of college or university with coursework in Business, Real Estate, Finance, or any related field.

Experience

Required

• • Four (4) years experience in real estate transactions.

  • Must have the ability to learn and use cloud applications such as the Google GSuite applications, including but not limited to Google Chrome Browser, Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Understand document sharing and collaboration in the cloud. Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, cloud-accessible applications including but not limited to One Drive, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or MAC or PC desktop equivalent, is acceptable.

  • Successful completion of a criminal history background check, education, and work history verification, and drug screening test.

Preferred Education and Experience

• • Ability to learn cloud technologies such as LucidChart for diagrams, workflow and chart drawing. Experience with Vizio or equivalent is acceptable. Basic understanding of Virtual Private Network (VPN) access to connect to internal business systems.

License + Certificates

Required

• Texas Class “C” driver’s license at the time of placement and insurable by the organization’s fleet and liability insurance carrier.

• Must have the ability to earn certifications as required by assigned tasks.

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, the employee should have

• Ability to comprehend and interpret instructions and ask/clarify questions to ensure understanding.

• Basic knowledge of financial terms, lending procedures, and principles.

• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to grasp extensive knowledge while dealing with a variety of people.

• Ability to perform general mathematical calculations (percentages, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).

• Ability to communicate actionable and valuable information to various dependent parties at different levels of the organization in a clear, effective, and professional manner.

• Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Proficient with Microsoft Suite Products (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and Google Suite Office.

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting, standing, operating computers and other office equipment, walking and moving about the office and/or community property, and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to complete data entry, utilize various portals, and communicate via email and verbally via telephone. Ability to walk large properties and climb stairs. The employee must occasionally transport up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Office Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• High level of interaction with external/internal clients.

• May be transferred or be required to work at different properties or sites for interim periods in order to support business needs.

Outside Environment

• Subject to environmental elements when conducting visits to various sites or participating in outside events.

ADA Statement

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the organization will make reasonable accommodations to the known disability of a qualified applicant or employee to enable people with disabilities to enjoy equal employment opportunities, if it would not impose an “undue hardship” on the operation of the employer’s business.

Ethics

As a public agency, the organization is committed to maintaining the highest of ethical standards. Applicants selected for employment are expected to perform work responsibilities with the highest degree of integrity, professionalism, and honesty, to merit the respect of our co-workers, clients, partners, vendors, and the general public. Applicants selected for employment are also expected to serve the public with dedication, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Opportunity Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information, marital status, veteran status, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Opportunity Home is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.

Disclaimer

The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. This position specification is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this position specification at any time, without notice.