Leasing Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

Avanath is proud to be named one of the top property management companies to provide affordable housing for the workforce.

Cultivating the American Dream is the purpose that binds the Avanath team. At Avanath, every day is an opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. Whether it is helping residents call one of our communities home, providing excellence in customer service, or championing our workforce, we are committed to creating an unforgettable experience as a great place to live, work, and be.

The Role: The Leasing Specialist is responsible for leasing, marketing, and maintaining positive resident relations within an affordable housing community while ensuring compliance with LIHTC regulations and Fair Housing guidelines. This role manages the full leasing cycle, including qualifying applicants, processing certifications and recertifications, and supporting resident retention, while delivering excellent customer service in a fast-paced environment.

The incumbent in this role must possess a high degree of professionalism and positive engagement for our residents and the workforce.

• An Aptitude for Connecting - Must possess a strong sense for creating a sense of community, as well as the drive to go the extra mile to create a positive experience for all residents and staff. Your success and purpose are driven by the relationships that you build within your communities, including vendor partners, regulatory, and social services partnerships. This includes adopting a collaborative approach to create consistent, favorable circumstances that foster success and effectiveness for the Organization and the communities.
• An Authentic Attitude - Consistently demonstrate an open and professional attitude and approach when assessing and resolving resident and staff concerns. This includes, but is not limited to, seeking resources throughout the organization via the organization's support services and senior leadership.
• An Approach that is positive and Professional - Consistently demonstrate an approach of active listening and understand that your participation and support are integral to the success of Avanath, ensuring that each resident and staff member feels seen, heard, and valued as you and the staff work to resolve challenges.

Qualifications

• Required: LIHTC experience with a strong understanding of affordable housing compliance, income certifications, recertifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven leasing experience in a multifamily or affordable housing environment, including leasing, marketing, and closing skills.
• Minimum of 2+ years of experience in affordable housing, property management, leasing, or customer relations.
• Strong knowledge of low-income housing programs, including Section 8 and other subsidized housing programs, is highly preferred.
• Bilingual (English & Spanish) highly desired.
• Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional customer service while maintaining compliance with Fair Housing regulations.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends.
• Solid computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, internet, and email.
• Working knowledge of Yardi Voyager Property Management software is preferred.

Key Accountabilities

• Customer Service & Sales
• At all times, regardless, provides A+ customer service.
• Greet and qualify all prospects.
• Record all telephone and in-person visits on guest cards.
• Inspect models and available "market-ready", communicate related service needs to Community Manager.
• Demonstrate community and apartment/model and apply product knowledge to prospect needs by communicating the features and benefits; close the sale.
• Have the prospect complete the application and secure a deposit in accordance with the company procedures and Fair Housing requirements.
• Update availability report, process applications for approvals.
• Ensure the apartment is ready for the resident to move in on the agreed date.
• Immediately follow up on prospects that did not close and attempt to close the sale again. If unable to help the prospect, refer them to sister communities to meet the prospect's needs.
• Secure new resident signature(s) on appropriate paperwork prior to move-in. Orient new residents to the community.
• Assist in monitoring renewals. Distribute and follow up on renewal notices.
• Administrative
• Accept rental payments.
• Type lease and complete appropriate paperwork and input information on the Yardi System accurately and on a timely basis.
• Maintain current resident files.
• Distribute all company or community-issued notices.
• Maintain accurate monthly commission records on leases and renewals for bonus purposes.
• Assist the management team with other various tasks as required.
• Consistently implement policies of the community.
• Resident Retention
• Receive all telephone calls and in-person visits. Listen to resident requests, concerns, and comments.
• Quickly complete maintenance service requests and inform the maintenance team. Answer questions for residents about community, repairs, rent, rules, etc. Follow up on a timely basis if unable to respond to residents on all matters.
• Ensure all maintenance repairs are handled satisfactorily by contacting residents with completed Service Requests daily.
• Maintain open communication with Community Manager and Maintenance Supervisor.
• Contribute to the cleanliness and curb appeal of the community on a continuing basis.
• Assist in planning resident events. Attend events and participate as a host for any event as directed by the Community Manager.
• Adherence to Property Management Rules, Regulations, and Guidelines
• Conduct all business in accordance with company policies and procedures, Fair Housing, Americans with Disabilities Act, and all other laws pertaining to the apartment industry.
• Under the direction of the Compliance department and the Community Manager, manages compliance file maintenance, where applicable.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• The incumbent in this position is classified as essential staff and is expected to report to work and adhere to all safety and business protocols.
• Frequent sitting and walking
• Repetitive use of the computer, keyboard, mouse, and phone
• Reading, comprehending, writing, performing calculations, and communicating verbally.
• May work in an elevated site, may walk on uneven ground.
• Occasional squatting, bending neck/waist, twisting neck/waist, pushing, and pulling.

How Avanath Supports You

• Culture Built on Purpose and Core Values - A Commitment to Integrity , A Spirit of Caring , and A Focus on Continuous Improvement .
• Comprehensive Benefits – health, dental & vision, 401(k), personal time off, paid holidays and more!
• Growth that is based on achievement and an emphasis on promoting from within our ranks, versus just external candidates.
• Development – a commitment to creating opportunities to learn and expand your knowledge in the industry, from online training platforms to training classes to one-on-one coaching

Diversity & Inclusion

Avanath Capital is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have, and Diversity, equity, and inclusion ("DEI") are at the very core of Avanath's operating and investment philosophy. We believe that bringing together people with diverse thoughts, backgrounds, talents, and experiences at all levels of our organization, including the executive team, enables us to proactively and creatively achieve our mission to enable opportunities for hard-working American families. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of our culture, our reputation, and our achievements.

We embrace and encourage our employees' differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Our organization's diversity initiatives include—but are not limited to—our practices and policies on recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; and the ongoing development of a work environment built on the premise of gender and diversity equity that encourages and enforces:

+ Respectful communication and cooperation between all employees.

+ Teamwork and employee participation, permitting the representation of all groups and employee perspectives.

+ Work/life balance through flexible work schedules to accommodate employees' varying needs.

+ Employer and employee contributions to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for diversity.

#SW

Compensation Range

Compensation Range

$19—$21 USD