Real Estate Development Specialist

Job Description: This position is responsible for leading and supporting real estate initiatives across the organization’s service area. Main activities include developing and supporting multi‑family and single‑family housing projects. The role oversees the full lifecycle of a development from early pre‑development planning, seeking pre‑development financing, project feasibility analysis, and the execution of financing applications and loan due diligence to obtain necessary development funding.

Real estate initiatives include bare land development, single‑family housing development including acquisition/rehabilitation and new construction; multi‑family refinancing, multi‑family rental housing development including acquisition/rehabilitation and new construction, and support with external stakeholder projects. The position involves preparing recommendations for senior leadership for identified real estate initiatives, project administration on proposed projects and initiatives, comprehension of compliance with State and Federal guidelines, and coordinating activities with multiple departments.

The role requires extensive communication with internal and external stakeholders to secure resources, close transactions, and advance both organizational and community‑driven development goals.

Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership has offices in Slayton and Mankato. The employee can choose which office location to work from with flexibility for remote work. In‑person attendance is an expectation for organization staff meetings rotationally held at either location, or as determined by senior leadership.

• Property/Project Review: Review proposals of property acquisitions, development, or other types of projects regarding real estate feasibility. Identify potential geographic markets and any concerns that may impact the ability to operate or score competitively in funding applications, and propose adjustments to budgets, planned activities, timelines and transaction costs to ensure the Project is consistent with previous experience, current portfolio trends and stated expectations.
  
  Follow the SOP to move projects through the evaluation steps, ensure that information is shared with internal departments as appropriate and gain their feedback through the SOP process. Act as the main contact and project manager for the seller, local government, funding entities and organization internal team.
• Grant Writing: Prepare and write local, state and federal applications for funding as appropriate for each project or contract, or as assigned.
• Project Finance Development: Provide initial underwriting feasibility for potential projects. Research and remain up to date on funding and financing options, as well as requirements put forth by funding sources. Develop and submit applications and documents required for project financing.
• Property/Project Processing: Lead team to identify and perform checklist items and processes to move funded projects from commitment to closing. Communicate with all funders and their teams to coordinate efforts that provide all necessary information and efficiently move through the closing process. Identify and solve all issues that arise during loan processing by developing strategies and work processes that complete the process in a timely fashion.
• Title Insurance and Other Requirements: Lead team to order and obtain land surveys, title insurance, appraisals, environmental reviews, legal opinions, market studies, and all other documentation as required by lenders and our SOP. Review and address any and all deficiencies that are identified.
• Property/Project Closing: Review documents pertaining to the closing for accuracy and consistency. Communicate with all parties to coordinate activities, ensure that all final items are executed and address any issues post‑closing in collaboration with internal teams as needed.
• Legal Documents: Provide support or secure the preparation of documents for real estate transactions and community development activities, including but not limited to development agreements, land options, fee‑for‑service…