Position Title: Homeownership Advisor – Pre-Purchase Counselor
Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Work Schedule: On-Site/In Office, Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Supervisor: Program Manager of Housing Counseling & Wealth Building Strategies
Salary: Commensurate with experience; $48,000 no experience – $51,000 with certifications
Organizational Background
Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program, Inc. (TRIP) is a nonprofit community development organization dedicated to connecting individuals and families with resources and knowledge to live in desirable homes and create vibrant, sustainable communities. TRIP provides housing counseling, homeownership education, financial education, affordable housing, and community development services throughout Troy, Rensselaer County, and the Capital Region.
TRIP is a chartered member of the NeighborWorks America network and a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.
Position Summary
The Homeownership Advisor – Pre-Purchase Counselor provides one-on-one housing counseling to prospective homebuyers and assists clients in preparing for and successfully navigating the homebuying process. The position assesses clients’ financial readiness, including income, expenses, credit, savings, and debt, and works with clients to establish goals and develop individualized action plans.
The counselor provides education and guidance on homebuyer readiness, budgeting, credit, mortgage products, affordability, and available homeownership resources. The position also works with lenders, servicers, attorneys, and other partners as needed to support clients throughout the pre-purchase process.
Training and professional development will be provided to support the employee in obtaining and maintaining required housing counseling certifications.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Pre-Purchase Counseling
- Conduct comprehensive pre-purchase counseling sessions to assess clients’ financial readiness and homeownership goals.
- Review and analyze client income, expenses, assets, debt, credit, savings, and other financial information to identify strengths, barriers, and areas requiring improvement.
- Work with clients to develop realistic homeownership goals and individualized action plans, connecting them with appropriate down payment assistance programs, housing resources, and referrals.
- Educate clients on budgeting, credit, debt management, savings, affordability, mortgage products, and the costs and responsibilities of homeownership.
- Help clients understand the homebuying process, including lender requirements, financing options, affordability, inspections, insurance, closing costs, and other homeownership down payment programs.
Client Case Management
- Assist clients with applications and required documentation, including reviewing materials for completeness and following up on outstanding information.
- Maintain consistent communication with clients, lenders, servicers, attorneys, and other third parties to facilitate timely completion of required documentation and services.
- Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential client records, case notes, and required data in agency systems. Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when working with sensitive client financial and personal information.
Education & Outreach
- Facilitate Homebuyer Orientations, workshops, and other educational programs as assigned.
- Educate the community about TRIP & RCHR homeownership programs, services, and housing resources
Professional Development & Compliance
- Maintain knowledge of current housing counseling practices, mortgage products, homeownership programs, and applicable regulations.
- Complete required training and continuing education to obtain and maintain HUD housing counseling certification.
Required Qualifications
- Associate’s degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Customer service orientation and ability to establish positive, professional relationships with clients.
- Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse racial, cultural, socioeconomic, and other backgrounds.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple clients, priorities, and deadlines.
- Ability to conduct financial analysis and work with client income, expenses, debt, assets, credit, and other financial information.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Willingness and ability to obtain HUD Housing Counseling certification within the first 6-8 months of employment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience and knowledge in housing counseling, homeownership, mortgage lending, real estate, credit counseling, financial services, or a related field.
- Experience facilitating workshops, orientations, or community education programs.
- Spanish or other second-language proficiency is a plus.
Additional Requirements
- Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required for Homebuyer Orientations, workshops, community events, or other program activities.
- Occasional travel may be required for professional training and development.
Equal Opportunity Employer
TRIP, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other non-job-related characteristics.