Home Ownership Development Toolbox
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A1. Who Does What? Range Of Development Consultants: Tasks, Skills & Contract Negotiation Issues

The following is a range of prospective professional service providers who may need to join your homeownership development team depending on the skills, experience and time available from your staff and members of your Board of Directors:

PROJECT MANAGER



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletSet development agenda
bulletDevelop and manage work plan
bulletSite control negotiating and closing
bulletNegotiate, hire, and coordinate work of team members
bulletManage budget, schedule, compliance with loan/grant requirements
bulletTake project from concept to lease-up or sales

Site control negotiating and closing

bulletExtensive understanding of housing development process and ability to review and assess work of team members
bulletAbility to: 1) take charge and make decisions; 2) solve problems; 3) negotiate; 4) engage team members and 5) remove team members, when necessary
bulletKnowledge of the federal, state, local and private loan sources, regulations and requirements
bulletExperience in managing projects of similar scope and scale

bulletPrepare agreements and contracts with specific tasks and performance measures with attorney
bulletCosts vary by area and project type, size.

NEIGHBOHOOD PLANNER



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletConduct surveys and analyze data
bulletCoordinate community meetings
bulletEvaluate and map physical and financial assets
bulletAssess feasibility of new economic development initiatives
bulletDevelop/assemble the comprehensive plans

bulletDegree in Planning/Architecture
bulletExperience in developing comprehensive plans
bulletKnowledge of housing programs and procedures
bulletKnowledge of construction/building housing and infrastructure
bulletFamiliar with zoning , building, health and safety codes
bulletUnderstanding of economic development principles and strategies
bulletKnowledge of traditional and non-traditional funding sources

bulletPrepare agreements and contracts with specific tasks and performance measures with attorney
bulletUse in-house staff to evaluate existing data and conduct survey
bulletCosts vary by area and level of information needed

MARKET ASSESSOR



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletMarket analysis to determine demand, profile of target population, affordable prices/rent ranges, comparables, present/projected competition

bulletExperience in doing market analysis and particularly market/demand of housing for low income households
bulletKnowledge of cost, market, analysis types

bulletPrepare agreement with performance measures
bulletUse existing available research as feasible

PROPERTY EVALUATOR



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletIdentify and research potential sites
bulletEvaluate sites
bulletLocal regulatory review and approval process
bulletEnvironmental review
bulletDevelopment review
bulletArchitectural review
bulletOther local and federal requirements

bulletKnowledge and experience in local real estate activity i.e. ownership, values, prices, regulatory issues, etc.
bulletAbility to research properties (legal land uses, environmental, taxes, neighborhood issues, infrastructure); assess pros and cons of sites and make recommendations

bulletPrepare agreement and contract with specific tasks and performance measures with attorney
bulletCosts vary by area and number of evaluation factors

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSOR



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletConducts preliminary review for acquisition
bulletEnvironmental review of site & building, site visits, review of federal, state, local records, interviews, analysis, recommendations & reports in accord with laws, regulations & lender guidelines

bulletCertification/ Accreditation as environmental assessor
bulletKnowledge of funding sources environmental underwriting guidelines
bulletExperience in conducting ASTM site assessments

bulletRFP for ASTM Phase I, II
bulletContract to provide report and recommendations
bulletKeep separate assessors and remediation firms

ARCHITECT/ENGINEER



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletWork with owner on Conceptual Plan and prepare schematics
bulletDevelop site plans, specifications, construction documents
bulletEstimate costs
bulletMonitor compliance with plans during construction and payments to contractors

bulletDegree and License
bulletExperience with designing similar projects and working with nonprofit developers
bulletKnowledge of design, innovative, cost saving, energy efficient, building practices and other issues related to project location
bulletExperience in appropriate engineering field: geotechnical, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical

bulletUse RFP for bids
bulletUse attorney modified AIAI contract
bulletAvoid % of construction costs contracts
bulletDefine relationship between architect & engineers
bulletCosts vary by area, size, type of project

REAL ESTATE BROKER



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletConsult regarding offering terms for properties & most appropriate strategy (e.g. option or cash sale)
bulletAssist CDC in negotiations for acquisition
bulletProvide appraiser with market data
bulletDevelop Marketing Program for sale of house
bulletDevelop procedures for intake, pre-qualification and income certification according to all local and federal Fair Housing and Fair Credit Laws
bulletConduct open houses at model units on weekends

bulletLicensed real estate broker
bulletActive and experienced in marketing of entry level single-family starter homes for first time homebuyers
bulletAbility to market and assemble pool of buyers

bulletCan be negotiated on fixed price per unit sold or percentage of sale price
bulletWhen developer chooses to produce printed materials and advertisements Realtor's commission should be reduced accordingly
bulletIf Realtor does not provide a significant number of potential homebuyers, developer has right to seek a new contract with another Realtor

APPRAISER



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletDetermine fair market value of site/property

bulletLicense/Accreditation by Ohio Dept. of Commerce Division of Real Estate
bulletKnowledge of local real estate market
bulletExperience in appraising similar projects

bulletUse standardized agreement
bulletCosts vary by area, size, and type

ATTORNEY



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletReview legal and regulatory documents
bulletSite control negotiating and closing with project manager
bulletPreparation of property closing documents, loan closing documents
bulletAct as General Counsel

bulletDegree and license in Law
bulletKnowledge of affordable housing real estate development process and experience in legal and financial aspects of producing affordable potentially subsidized housing
bulletKnowledge of affordable housing development, organizational, contract, and real estate law
bulletSkill in negotiating for publicly and privately held properties; knowledge of local real estate market; understanding of legalities and requirements of various site control options

bulletNegotiate hourly fee and agreement for project related work
bulletAvoid retainer-type arrangements

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletPrepare construction budgets and obtain estimates, and bids and subcontracts for construction or rehabilitation
bulletManage and monitor construction schedule, costs, and quality in accordance with the plans and specifications
bulletOversee quality and schedule of subcontractors

bulletExperience in managing similar projects and working with nonprofit developers
bulletKnowledge of construction techniques, methods, and materials
bulletKnowledge of design and innovative, cost saving, energy efficient building practices and other issues related to project location
bulletAbility to track project and negotiate contracts with subcontractors

bulletRFP for bids
bulletUse AIA Contracts modified by Attorney
bulletFees are percentage of construction costs and vary by project size, region.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletPrepare cost estimates for construction or rehabilitation
bulletPerform construction work in accordance with the contract for construction, plans and specifications
bulletEnsure quality, schedule of subcontractors

bulletExperience with constructing similar projects and working with nonprofit developers
bulletKnowledge of construction techniques, methods, and materials
bulletKnowledge of design, innovative, cost saving, energy efficient building practices and issues related to project location

bulletRFP for bids
bulletUse AIA contract documents or equal modified by attorney Avoid Cost-Plus-Fee Contracts
bulletCosts based on location, type of materials, and number of units
bulletGet cost breakdown by trade for new and substantial rehab

HOME BUYER TRAINER/COUNSELOR



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletRecruit and train first time homebuyers
bulletProvide additional credit and budget counseling to families needing additional credit
bulletTrack homeowners for future services

bulletAbility to market and assemble pool of buyers
bulletAbility to develop and transition renters to home buyers

bulletKnowledge of mortgage loan process and underwriting and Fair Housing Laws
bulletKnowledge of local banking environment

bulletAbility to access professional trainers, real estate agent, insurer, etc.
bulletFamiliarity with development process and construction

bulletBased on a per-home buyer fee

CONSTRUCTION LENDERS



TASKS

SKILLS

CONTRACT

bulletProvide interim financing that can be used to pay for acquisition, soft and/or hard costs of project
bulletUnderwrite project feasibility

bulletExperience in affordable housing development and layered financing
bulletFlexible underwriting within context of community revitalization
bulletAbility to respond to questions and produce loan documents in a timely manner

bulletLoan origination fee ranges from 0% to 3% of loan amount
bulletBorrower should negotiate for lowest interest rate possible

Portions used from Enterprise Foundation Developer Support System (http://www.enterprisefoundation.org/products/dss/singlefam/sf&24&in&ncppor1.htm)

Next: A2. Key Questions to Ask Prospective Members of Your Development Team

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