Property/Real Estate Underwriter

Location: South Africa

Salary Range: 900-2500 USD can go up to 4000 USD (depending on years of experience)

Role Description:

The Property/Real Estate Underwriter is responsible for assessing the risk and financial viability of real estate transactions, including residential, commercial, and investment properties. This role involves evaluating borrower profiles, market conditions, and property values to determine the terms and eligibility for financing or insurance. The ideal candidate has strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of property valuation and lending guidelines, and experience in underwriting within real estate or financial services.

Key Responsibilities:

Analyze and evaluate real estate loan or insurance applications for residential, commercial, and investment properties.
Assess creditworthiness of borrowers, property appraisals, financial documents, market data, and risk factors.
Determine loan eligibility, terms, and conditions based on internal guidelines, investor criteria, and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with loan officers, brokers, appraisers, and legal teams to gather and verify supporting documentation.
Conduct risk assessments and make informed decisions regarding loan approval, modification, or denial.
Prepare and present underwriting reports with detailed risk analysis and recommendations.
Monitor compliance with underwriting standards, lending regulations, and internal policies.
Maintain accurate records and documentation for audits and quality assurance.
Stay current on market trends, property values, and underwriting practices.
Support the development of new underwriting guidelines and process improvements.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Real Estate, Business Administration, or a related field.
2–5 years of experience in real estate underwriting, mortgage underwriting, or property risk assessment.
Strong knowledge of real estate finance, appraisal review, and lending or insurance standards.
Proficiency in financial analysis, credit review, and risk modeling.
Familiarity with underwriting software, property databases (e.g., MLS, CoStar), and loan origination systems.
Strong attention to detail, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple files and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

Knowledge of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, or commercial lending guidelines or any similar or related guidelines.
Proficiency in property management software (e.g., AppFolio, Buildium, Yardi) and Microsoft Office Suite.
Experience with residential and commercial loan underwriting.
Certification in underwriting (e.g., DE, SAR, or equivalent) is a plus.
Familiarity with property insurance underwriting and real estate investment risk.

Details:

Independent contractor agreement paid 2x monthly.
Client has a desire for long term commitment.

SU - Property/Real Estate Underwriter