The secret to becoming an apartment leasing agent is to know what you’re doing.
You need to be able to identify the person who will be willing to pay your commission, and you need to be able to convince them that your service is worth it. You need to know how much money you can make, and how much money you might lose. You should also know the laws that govern your work, especially if you are working in a state where there are special rules for leasing agents.
There are many different types of apartment leasing agents, including those who work on commission only and those who charge by the hour or by the month. Some leasing agents specialize in one type of apartment while others specialize in several types of apartments. Some leasing agents work with tenants only and some work with landlords only; others work with both.
The first step in becoming an apartment leasing agent is finding out which type of agent fits your personality best. Do you like working with people? Then perhaps being a landlord’s agent would suit you best because they will be constantly calling on you for help when their tenants move out or when they want new tenants moved into their property quickly (or even before they move out).
How To Become Apartment Leasing Agent
An apartment leasing agent works on behalf of an apartment owner for a complex, and your main job is to show apartments to potential tenants. In this position, your duties overlap with those of a property manager, because you have to maintain the apartments’ suitability for habitation. You also advertise vacancies on the market and try to find people to sign for a lease. Overall, the leasing agent functions as a representative of the apartment’s owner but has more direct customer service duties.
What Qualifications Do I Need to Be an Apartment Leasing Agent?
To be a leasing agent, you need to have at least a high school diploma before you can pursue further qualifications. Then, you can seek out online training through the National Apartment Association. The credential you need is the National Apartment Leasing Professional certification. To obtain this, you enroll in the online course, pay the fee, and complete all seven of the learning modules. After completing the Market Survey and taking the exam, you are a recognized Apartment Leasing Consultant. To succeed in this position, you need excellent marketing and customer service skills.
What Is the Difference Between an Apartment Leasing Agent , an Apartment Property Manager, and an Apartment Rental Agent?
Although people use the terms “leasing agent” and “rental agent” interchangeably, the two jobs carry different responsibilities. An apartment leasing agent or consultant works with an apartment owner, ensures the property is in acceptable condition for showing and helps to finalize the rental agreement. A property manager oversees all maintenance, marketing, and administrative aspects of the property and ultimately approves or denies rental requests based on renters’ financial ability and credit checks. Meanwhile, an apartment rental agent works with would-be renters directly, shopping around to help them find apartments that are within their price range and other required parameters.
Apartment leasing agents help apartment owners find tenants to live in their apartments, or help renters find places to live. They make sure that the vacant apartment is attractive to tenants by designing advertisements, taking photos, and marketing it in real estate sites or publications. Apartment leasing agents act as a liaison between tenants, prospective tenants, and property owners by leading tours for interested tenants, answering questions, and coordinating repairs once tenants move in.
Apartment leasing agents usually need to have a license from the state in order to work. Apartment leasing agents also need to have excellent organizational skills in order to handle the administrative aspect of renting, such as preparing lease documents and conducting background checks.
Although some work with just a high school diploma and a few real estate courses from the state, a bachelor’s degree might make you a more competitive candidate in this growing field. Apartment leasing agents make an average salary of $29,781 a year, although with hard work and taking an extra licensing course, they can work their way up to becoming real estate brokers and earn a higher salary.
What Does an Apartment Leasing Agent Do
Real estate brokers and sales agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. Although brokers and agents do similar work, brokers are licensed to manage their own real estate businesses. Sales agents must work with a real estate broker.
How To Become an Apartment Leasing Agent
Real estate brokers and sales agents need at least a high school diploma. Both brokers and sales agents must be licensed. To become licensed, candidates typically must complete a number of real estate courses and pass a licensing exam. Education
Real estate brokers and sales agents must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Although most brokers and agents must take state-accredited prelicensing courses to become licensed, some states may waive this requirement if the candidate has taken college courses in real estate.
As the real estate market becomes more competitive and complex, some employers are preferring to hire candidates with college courses or a college degree. Some community colleges, colleges, and universities offer courses in real estate. Some offer associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in real estate, and many others offer certificate programs. Courses in finance, business administration, economics, and law also can be useful.
Brokers intending to open their own company often take business courses, such as marketing and accounting.
In addition to offering prelicensing courses, many real estate associations have courses and professional development programs for both beginners and experienced agents. These courses cover a variety of topics, such as real estate fundamentals, real estate law, and mortgage financing.Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
In all states and the District of Columbia, real estate brokers and sales agents must be licensed. Licensing requirements vary by state, but most have similar basic requirements:
Candidates must:
- be 18 years old
- complete a number of real estate courses
- pass an exam
Some states have additional requirements, such as passing a background check. Licenses typically are not transferable among states. However, some states have reciprocity agreements and will accept licenses issued by some other states.
To obtain a broker’s license, individuals generally need 1 to 3 years of experience as a licensed sales agent. They also must take additional formal training courses. In some states, a bachelor’s degree may be substituted in place of some experience or training requirements.
State licenses typically must be renewed every 2 to 4 years. In most states, brokers and agents must complete continuing education courses to renew their license. To verify exact licensing requirements, prospective brokers and agents should contact the real estate licensing commission of the state in which they wish to work.Work Experience in a Related Occupation
To get a broker’s license in most states, real estate brokers must have experience working as a licensed real estate sales agent. Requirements vary by state, but most require 1 to 3 years of experience. Training
Real estate sales agents improve their skills through practice and repetition. Because of the sales environment and the complexity of real estate deals, new agents typically observe and work closely with more senior agents. In addition, some of the larger real estate companies provide formal classroom training for new agents as a way to gain knowledge and experience, while others provide training to employees studying for their real estate licensing exam.Advancement
Sales agents who earn their broker’s license may open their own offices. Important Qualities
Business skills. Because most brokers are self-employed, they must manage every aspect of their business. This task includes reaching out to prospective clients, handling their finances, and advertising their services.
Interpersonal skills. Strong interpersonal skills are essential for real estate brokers and sales agents, because they spend much of their time interacting with clients and customers. To attract and keep clients, they must be pleasant, enthusiastic, and trustworthy.
Organizational skills. Real estate brokers and sales agents must be able to work independently, managing their own time and organizing, planning, and prioritizing their work.
Problem-solving skills. Real estate brokers and sales agents need to be able to quickly (sometimes immediately) address concerns clients or potential customers may have with a property. They also mediate negotiations between seller and buyer.Show More
What is the right job for my career path?
Tell us your goals and we’ll match you with the right jobs to get there.
See My Jobs
And if you’re looking for a job, here are the five top employers hiring now:
- BT&Co Jobs (1)
- West Virginia University Jobs (1)
- Madera Unified School District Jobs (1)
- Career Strategies Jobs (4)
- Four Seasons Jobs (2)
Find An Apartment Leasing Agent Job Near Me
Average Salary
$31,221
Job Growth Rate
7%
Don’t Have A Professional Resume?
0 selections
Create My Resume
APARTMENT LEASING AGENT JOBS
0 selections
Work From Home
Distance
Salary
Job Type
Job Level
Education
Date Posted
W
Winchester Carlisle Companies
Remote or Dallas, TX
Online Leasing Agent
Ameritex Property Management is looking for an Online Leasing Agent to perform daily tasks driving leasing goals on single-family homes.
Sponsored
$23k-28k yearly est.
P
Pacific Living Properties
Remote or Lynnwood, WA
LEASING CONSULTANT
We are offering an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced Leasing Consultant, with top notch sales and people skills, to play a key role at our apartment home community, “The Woods at Alderwood” in Lynwood, Washington.
Sponsored
$37k-42k yearly est.
P
Pelican Development LLC
Remote or Reading, PA
Leasing Agent
Pelican Development is seeking a part time or full time leasing agent/Assistant property management.
4d agoNEW
$25k-45k yearly
W
Winchester Carlisle Companies
Remote or Dallas, TX
Online Leasing Agent
Ameritex Property Management is looking for an Online Leasing Agent to perform daily tasks driving leasing goals on single-family homes.
17d ago
$23k-28k yearly est.
T
Tricon Residential
Remote or Greensboro, NC
Leasing Agent
The Leasing Agent will act as an ambassador of the Tricon brand and function as the primary driver of leasing activity in the market. Meet and/or exceed all monthly and quarterly goals as specified within Leasing Agent Incentive Compensation Plan
5d agoNEW
$26k-35k yearly est.
T
Tricon Residential Inc.
Remote or Greensboro, NC
Leasing Agent
Job Description The Leasing Agent will act as an ambassador of the Tricon brand and function as the primary driver of leasing activity in the market.
11d ago
$26k-35k yearly est.
P
Pacific Living Properties
Remote or Lynnwood, WA
LEASING CONSULTANT
We are offering an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced Leasing Consultant, with top notch sales and people skills, to play a key role at our apartment home community, “The Woods at Alderwood” in Lynwood, Washington.
8d ago
$37k-42k yearly est.
R
Roers Companies LLC
Remote or Saint Paul, MN
Leasing Consultant – Savor
Roers Companies is seeking an energetic, dedicated Leasing Consultant to join our team in West St. Paul, MN. Responsibilities As a Leasing Consultant, you will help people find their next home and get them connected in the community.
SponsoredNEW
$27k-33k yearly est.
R
Roers Companies LLC
Remote or West Saint Paul, MN
Leasing Consultant – Savor
Roers Companies is seeking an energetic, dedicated Leasing Consultant to join our team in West St. Paul, MN. ResponsibilitiesAs a Leasing Consultant, you will help people find their next home and get them connected in the community.
2d agoNEW
$27k-33k yearly est.
Entrata
Remote
Leasing Specialist – (Afternoon Shift)
Entrata’s Leasing Center is seeking a Leasing Professional who will work from the comforts of their own home. #LI-Remote When Entrata claims Be the Joneses” as one of our core values, we mean what we say. People who come to work at Entrata are the Real Deal: straight-talking, forward-thinking, hard workers who come together both to collaborate and to have a good time.
7d agoNEW
$11-14.5 hourly
Veritas Investments
Remote
Leasing Specialist
Our leasing team is in search of a motivated Leasing specialist.
7d agoNEW
$43k-71k yearly est.
Caci International Inc.
Remote or Virginia
Lease Management Specialist
CACI is seeking a motivated and dedicated individual to help support the General Services Administration’s (GSA) mission of administrative and technical support services to their Region 8 as a Lease Management Specialist. Major Duties Customer Liaison: * -As a Lease Management Specialist, you will serve as the primary customer agency advocate and first GSA point of contact with client agency personnel in designated buildings within the GSA inventory.
22d ago
$53k-69k yearly est.
Hyundai Capital America
Remote or Plano, TX
Lease End Associate (100% work from home)
Who We Are: Through our service brands Hyundai Motor Finance, Genesis Finance*, and Kia Motors Finance, we provide financial products tailored to meet the needs of Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia dealerships nationwide, including dealer inventory and facility financing. Hyundai Capital has offices across the world, including China, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, Brazil and Korea.
50d ago
$27k-31k yearly est.
T
Tricon Residential
Remote or Greensboro, NC
Leasing Agent
The Leasing Agent will act as an ambassador of the Tricon brand and function as the primary driver of leasing activity in the market. Meet and/or exceed all monthly and quarterly goals as specified within Leasing Agent Incentive Compensation Plan
SponsoredNEW
$26k-35k yearly est.
P
Pelican Development LLC
Remote or Reading, PA
Leasing Agent
Pelican Development is seeking a part time or full time leasing agent/Assistant property management.
SponsoredNEW
$25k-45k yearly
APARTMENT LEASING AGENT CAREER PATHS
As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you’ve taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, an Apartment Leasing Agent can determine their career goals through the career progression. For example, they could start out with a role such as Leasing Agent, progress to a title such as Leasing Consultant and then eventually end up with the title Business Manager.
APARTMENT LEASING AGENTLEASING AGENTLeasing ConsultantAccount ExecutiveBusiness Manager6 YearsLEASING AGENTLeasing ConsultantExecutive AssistantProperty Manager6 YearsLEASING AGENTAccount ExecutiveOffice ManagerBusiness Office Manager7 YearsCERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTTeam LeaderOffice ManagerAdministrative Manager6 YearsCERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTTeam LeaderAssistant ManagerCenter Manager6 YearsCERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTTeam LeaderOperations ManagerSite Manager7 Years
SHOW MORE
Share
Embed On Your Website
Top Careers Before Apartment Leasing Agent
Customer Service Representative(273,364 Jobs)
14.0 %
11.2 %
8.6 %Show More
Search For These Jobs
Top Careers After Apartment Leasing Agent
12.9 %
Assistant Manager(599,510 Jobs)
9.7 %
6.9 %Show More
Search For These Jobs
Apartment Leasing Agent Jobs You Might Like
- Leasing AgentPelican Development LLCRemote or Reading, PA
- Online Leasing AgentWinchester Carlisle CompaniesRemote or Dallas, TX
- Leasing AgentTricon ResidentialRemote or Greensboro, NC
- Leasing AgentTricon Residential Inc.Remote or Greensboro, NC
- LEASING CONSULTANTPacific Living PropertiesRemote or Lynnwood, WA
- Leasing Consultant – SavorRoers Companies LLCRemote or West Saint Paul, MN
What is the right job for my career path?
Tell us your goals and we’ll match you with the rights job to get there.
See My Jobs
AVERAGE SALARY FOR AN APARTMENT LEASING AGENT
Apartment Leasing Agents in America make an average salary of $31,221 per year or $15 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $37,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $25,000 per year.
Average Salary
$31,221
Find Your Salary Estimate
How much should you be earning as an Apartment Leasing Agent? Use Zippia’s Salary Calculator to get an estimation of how much you should be earning.
