Residential Leasing Agent

Breathe Project; Homestead (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Breathe Project is seeking a Residential Leasing Agent in Homestead, PA, to implement a regional housing strategy with a focus on affordable units. You will manage applications, eligibility, and documentation in coordination with Compliance and Maintenance teams.

You will conduct unit showings, prepare lease packets, and manage voucher coordination while ensuring Fair Housing compliance and accurate leasing data in AppFolio.

Qualifications

• Motivation for leasing/marketing
• Negotiation skills
• Highly knowledgeable of affordable housing regulations (LIHTC, HOME, CDBG)
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Proof-reading skills a plus
• Basic math proficiency
• Clearances (Act 33/34) and Childline clearance
• Experience with AppFolio and MS Office
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Commitment to Fair Housing practices

Responsibilities

• Leasing residential units by collecting applications meeting funding requirements (HOME/LIHTC/CDBG)
• Apply income requirements for each unit
• Follow Tenant Selection Plans
• Explain and collect required documentation
• Coordinate with Compliance for approvals and move-ins
• Conduct unit showings after approval
• Prepare lease packets and document move-in inspections
• Coordinate with housing authorities for vouchers (RFTA)
• Maintain waiting lists and update leasing reports in AppFolio
• Participate in meetings with Maintenance and Tenant Relations
• Ensure website and listings reflect current rents and availability
• Develop quarterly marketing plans with Communications
• Ensure compliance with Fair Housing Act and non-discrimination practices
• Complete annual performance reviews with supervisor

Skills

Negotiation

Leasing/marketing

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Time management

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent experience

Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS)

Certified Tax Credit Specialist

Experience with Housing Choice Voucher program

Tools

AppFolio

Microsoft Outlook/Word/Excel

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Residential Leasing Agent

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $40,000-$50,000

DEPARTMENT: Real Estate & Community Development

SUPERVISOR: CEO/Director of Real Estate Development

FLSA: Exempt

SUMMARY:

• To implement Mon Valley Initiative's regional housing development strategy through excellent unit leasing, with an emphasis on meeting affordable housing leasing requirements.
• To support MVI's mission to benefit to low-to-moderate income residents with quality real estate options.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leasing residential rental units by collecting completed applications that meet the various funding and applicant requirements of each MVI development (ex: HOME/LIHTC/CDBG), including but not limited to:
• Understand and apply the income requirements related to each unit in each development
• Follow the Tenant Selection Plan for each development
• Understand, explain, and collect all required back-up documentation for complete applications
• Provide completed application files to Compliance team for final approval and move-in date
• Conduct individual "showings" after an applicant has been approved by Compliance
• Prepare the lease packet, schedule signing, and conduct and document move-in inspection
• Coordinate with local housing authorities for applicants who have Housing Choice Vouchers, completing paperwork related to obtaining or porting the voucher (RFTA); coordinate initial housing authority unit inspections with Maintenance team
• Sends appropriate denial communication for applicants who do not qualify
• Properly maintain and manage a waiting-list as needed for each development
• Proficiently utilize the Appfolio property management software to track tenant documentation and communication and prepare various leasing reports; ensure leasing status of all properties is accurate in the system, including attaching current unit and site photos.
• Participate in regular meetings with Property Maintenance and Tenant Relations colleagues to stay informed of any unit vacancy and turn-over schedules.
• Coordinate and communicate with the Maintenance team on upcoming move-ins to ensure occupancy permitting and other inspections are completed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Conduct unit-showings through general "open house" showing events in conjunction with Communications and Community Development teams.
• Work in close coordination with Communications team to take current photos of available units and ensure that MVI's website, Appfolio, and PA Housing Search website all contain consistent and current information about units, rents and availability.
• In conjunction with Communications and Community Development teams, create and update marketing plans for each development on a quarterly basis and support the development and delivery of quarterly tenant newsletters
• Conducts all leasing activities according to the Fair Housing Act and other related non-discrimination practices.
• Participate in MVI team meetings and organizational events as assigned
• Complete a written review of job accomplishments and goals annually in conjunction with supervisor's input and evaluation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Motivation for leasing/marketing
• Negotiation skills
• Highly knowledgeable of affordable housing regulations, particularly with relevant funding requirements (LIHTC, HOME, CDBG) related to property leasing
• Highly organized and attention to detail, including proof-reading skills
• Basic math proficiency required
• Act 33/34 Clearances and Childline Clearance
• Participate in Fair Housing and other job-related trainings
• Working knowledge of database software (AppFolio) and office software –Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
• Ability to manage multiple tasks; solve problems/issues and meet deadlines
• Able to handle emergency situations
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to cooperate well with a wide variety of people, local stakeholders, contractors, staff, etc.
• Strong and demonstrated leadership skills, including active listening and treating everyone in an equitable, unbiased manner
• Strive to develop new skills while maintaining present skills
• Share information and encourage learning among others
• Enthusiasm, innovation, optimism, persistence, patience and pragmatism

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Associate's degree or equivalent experience preferred
• 5-7 years' experience in property management, specifically with LIHTC-funded properties and HOME-funded properties
• Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) required and Certified Tax Credit Specialist preferred
• Experience with Housing Choice Voucher program

REQUIREMENTS:

• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and occasional weekends
• Full-time access to a vehicle, valid driver's license, and appropriate car insurance
• Position includes frequent standing, walking, verbal communications, including telephone contact, and travel between facilities.*

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