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 information and guidance in order for clients to make an informed selection of the options available to them is essential to this position. Interacts with lenders / servicers, advocates for clients in an effort to obtain the best mortgage products available for home buyers and 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 lender for loss mitigation, work options and short sale, etc. Will continue to work with client as needed until case is resolved in the best possible way for the client. Will keep case open until client has reached a workout with the lender and beyond, providing consistent quarterly follow up with client to make sure client is still on track.

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

Pre-purchase and Financial Capabilities

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

Run credit reports and review report with client. If credit repair is needed will advise client of such and arrange for the client to come in for that service on a later date. If credit does not need repair makes sure client moves on to the next step of the home buying process.

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

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