Housing Specialist

Basic Job Function

The Housing Counselor is responsible for providing professional counseling in the area of Pre-purchase and Foreclosure Prevention. Following the HUD guidelines to provide education and guidance to help clients make informed selections from the options available to them is essential to this position. Interacts with lenders/servicers and advocates for clients to obtain the best mortgage products available to home buyers and to preserve homeownership for existing homeowners at risk of foreclosure.

Responsibilities Foreclosure Prevention

Assume and manage a caseload of clients whose situations require intervention or negotiation with a mortgage lender. In such cases, negotiate appropriately with the lender for loss mitigation, work options, and short sale, etc. Will continue to work with the client as needed until the case is resolved in the best possible way for the client. Will keep the case open until the client has reached a workout with the lender and beyond, providing consistent quarterly follow-up to ensure the client remains on track.

Maintain required job skills and core competencies. Attend and participate in required educational programs and staff meetings.

MUST BE HUD CERTIFIED!

Pre-purchase and Financial Capabilities

Provide the client with information on all aspects of the home-buying process and requirements.

Run credit reports and review the report with the client. If credit repair is needed, we will advise the client and arrange for the client to come in for that service at a later date. If credit does not require repair, ensure the client moves on to the next step in the home-buying process.

Prepares a thorough current budget, provides a pre-qualification for a loan amount based on the client's monthly gross income, and prepares a future budget with the client using the mortgage payment the client qualifies for, as well as other expenses the client will have once he/she is a homeowner.

Work with the client throughout the buying process to address any issues or answer any questions that may arise. Available to the client until the purchase is complete and post-purchase for a minimum of one year.