Real Estate Development Associate Jobs in Bellevue, WA

Forestar Group Inc. is a residential lot development company focused on delivering desirable communities for homebuilders in both established locations and long-term growth markets. Forestar's vision is to be the nation's leading residential lot developer. The Company's strategic relationship with D.R. Horton, the nation's largest homebuilder, complements Forestar's vision of creating neighborhoods that enhance the lives of community residents while creating value for shareholders, trade partners and employees.

Forestar is currently looking for a Associate Region Real Estate Counsel-FG WA. The right candidate will assist the Region Real Estate Counsel in the oversight and coordination of all legal matters for the assigned region(s). The role will support operations teams at the division level in multiple markets, independently handle routine real estate legal matters as appropriate, and escalate complex or high-risk matters to Region Real Estate Counsel. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Collaborate with Region Counsel to provide legal guidance to region and division personnel related to land acquisition, development, and disposition, including drafting and negotiating contracts and related documents, performing title and survey review, environmental due diligence, analyzing zoning and entitlement issues, and consulting and coordinating with outside counsel as necessary

• Coordinate real estate closings with paralegals, division personnel and outside counsel

• Review and revise contractor and subcontractor contract documents; handle related negotiations and disputes

• Provide practical, business-oriented legal guidance to internal clients while identifying and escalating legal, business, and compliance risks

• Prepare restrictive covenants and associated homeowners' association documents and provide legal support to Region HOA Managers

• Support Region Counsel and division personnel in coordinating with outside counsel on the creation of special financing districts (PIDs, Metro Districts) and subsequent bond issuances to ensure full corporate policy compliance

• Offer support and legal advice regarding land banking, development and construction agreements, joint development agreements, easements, utility agreements, and construction-related disputes

• Analyze and maintain standard contracts and other business documents

• Coordinate with internal legal, finance, accounting, tax, risk management, and operations teams to support compliance with corporate policies, approval requirements, and document retention practices

• With guidance from Region Counsel, help manage a large volume of transaction work, including prioritizing competing deadlines and coordinating with business teams and outside counsel

• Assist in providing direction to indirect support staff responsible for maintaining acquisition and development files

• Conduct all business in a professional and ethical manner to serve customers and increase the goodwill and profit of the company

• Ability to travel overnight as needed

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree (J.D.)

• Current license to practice law

• 2-3 years' experience in real estate transactions in various markets

• Experience drafting and negotiating real estate contracts; performing due diligence review, including title, survey, and environmental review; and performing land closings

• Flexibility and organizational ability to manage simultaneously various transactions and projects in a high-performance environment

• Excellent interpersonal, writing, and oral communication skills

• Proficient in time management and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form or via Forestar-specific applications

• Proficiency with Word, Outlook, Adobe, and PowerPoint

• Ability to sit for majority of 8-hour workday; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and peripheral vision

• The noise level is generally moderate

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with residential land development; single-family residential experience is preferred

• Experience managing a high volume of real estate closings

• Experience managing outside counsel a plus

Estimated Compensation Range: $160,000.00 - $200,000.00

We offer an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• 401(K)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Life & Disability Insurance
• 6.67 hrs Vacation/month
• Personal Holidays depending on Hire Date:
  • Jan 1-Jun 30: 2 days
  • July 1-Sept 30: 1 day
• Multiple Voluntary and Company provided Benefits