How to Become an Apartment Leasing Consultant in 2024

According to the Department of Numbers, nearly half of California’s population consists of people who rent their apartments or homes. As more and more people settle in the Golden State, the demand for rental units grows.

The US apartment rental market is currently worth a whopping $173 billion. It’s undoubtedly an impressive market to immerse yourself in if you’re thinking about getting into apartment leasing.

At Lewis Careers, we have two goals. The first is to meet California’s increasing demand for housing. The second is to help people just like you start their careers in real estate!

Are you ready to start something new? Read more to learn how to begin your career in the bustling business of real estate.

Reasons to Consider an Apartment Leasing Consultant Career

As a Lewis Leasing Consultant, your job will entail finding new residents for apartment homes, handling all the papers involving the lease, and providing excellent customer service. You will be required to build rapport with the residents and offer personalized services stipulated by the owners. Responsibilities will vary depending on the company you’re working for as a leasing consultant, but they may be similar across the board.

Here are five reasons to pursue a career as a Leasing Consultant:

• Customer Service Is Your Passion: If you are a people person, being an apartment Leasing Consultant is a great fit for you! You’ll get to meet renters from all walks of life, and being customer-focused will accelerate your growth in this career.
• You Crave Variety: Being a Leasing Consultant does not require sitting in an office all day. Leasing consultants are usually on-the-go helping current and future residents. You’ll be solving new challenges and helping people make big life decisions. Every day is different. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it’s also exciting.
• Entry into Real Estate Without Risks: Other areas of real estate that involve investing come with inherent risks, but having an apartment leasing career involves little-to-no risk at all. This is due to Leasing Consultants having a base salary and commission for their work. This career will also offer you an opportunity to experience real estate and make it easy for you to get into investments when the time comes.
• You Love Sales: With our training, you don’t have to have strict qualifications coming in. However, if you have a background in sales, commissioned sales, or upscale customer service, you could translate that background into a career as a Leasing Consultant.

Many of the skills you need for business and retail will come in handy in apartment/real estate leasing. Sales, marketing, and customer relations are all important aspects of gaining and retaining tenants for Lewis communities.

How Do I Become a Leasing Consultant With No Experience?

If you’re considering making a new leap in your career path, that means that you’re a true go-getter! You’re ready to dive into something new and learn the skills that will open exciting and lucrative opportunities. We always welcome anyone with a can-do attitude and a desire to seize the day.

When you work with Lewis Careers, you won’t be diving in alone. We offer thorough training courses, mentorship, and hands-on experience to prepare you for Lewis positions that offer upward mobility and unbeatable benefits. All we ask in return is that you commit to learning as much as we commit to teaching!

The Lewis Leasing Consultant Career

We offer training that’s the best in the industry with clear guidance when it comes to sales techniques, property management procedures, fair housing law, and more. We also have a culture that focuses on promoting from within.

This allows you to keep moving up in the company, as many of our Lewis Community Directors, Assistant Community Directors, and Leasing Managers were once Leasing Consultants.

We understand that guiding our employees at each step of their careers helps foster hard-working employees who are dedicated to the job. We strive for our employees to constantly work on expanding their skills so that they feel motivated to constantly improve their work lives.

Learn How to Become a Leasing Consultant in 6 Steps

Lewis Leasing Consultants are real estate professionals who handle all aspects of sales and apartment leasing. They take part in the daily functions of the business and report to a Community Manager or Leasing Manager. Some responsibilities include:

• Advertising the property
• Showing the property to prospective tenants
• Negotiating and explaining the terms of the lease
• Handling lease applications
• Conducting background checks and financial verifications of potential tenants
• Responding to tenant requests or complaints

If that sounds like something that interests you, then follow the steps below to be on your way to a new career.

1. Planning

Consider why you want to be a Lewis Leasing Consultant. What are the things you are good at and enjoy doing?

Leasing Consultant positions require excellent communication skills and attention to detail. Basic computer skills, writing ability, and file management will be involved as well. The work can be fast-paced and will almost certainly include engaging with new people on a daily basis. Of course, specific functions of the job can vary by the type of industry you choose. But be sure that you are comfortable with the skills necessary to work in the real estate leasing business.

2. Education

Many Leasing Consultant positions do not require a four-year degree, especially in Apartment Leasing. However, if you are someone who is planning to get a Bachelor’s degree, consider one in business or real estate. Sales and marketing classes may also be beneficial.

If you are interested in commercial real estate leasing but are not in a position to get a two or four-year degree, you may consider taking some real estate courses. These will cover things like property laws, drafting leases, and real estate financing. This will help you have a better understanding of the basic principles involved with commercial or office property leasing. It also will make you better prepared for all types of real estate employment and more competitive in the job market.

3. Certifications

Beyond formal education, there may be some qualifications that you have to meet to land a real estate leasing career. Again, these may differ depending on the type of position you will be pursuing. Certification laws also vary by state. Some require a license for any business dealings involving real estate.

Even in states that require real estate licensing for leasing agents, there may be exceptions. For instance, they may not mandate one if you are working under a licensed broker within the company. Positions involving leasing of temporary housing may be exempt as well.

4. Experience

If you are not jumping right into commercial real estate leasing, you can still gain experience in similar fields, such as residential leasing. Matching experience could include sales positions at retail stores or customer service experience with small to large organizations.

This experience will help you learn how to interact with people, use your sales skills, and provide customer support. Even working as a server at an upscale restaurant could help you hone these skills. Think outside the box. Any kind of customer service-oriented position will be beneficial down the road.

5. Consider the Job Market

When deciding how to get your foot in the door of the real estate leasing world, look at the job market in your area. Do a broad search of what is available and consider the pros and cons of each position. This will help you have realistic expectations for what is out there.

Career opportunities change with the economy, so don’t be discouraged. The job you want may not be available today, but that could change tomorrow. You may not find the exact job you are looking for right out of the gate, but remember that an entry-level sales position may help you get your dream sales job down the road.

6. Put Yourself Out There

Now that you have the tools you need to succeed as a Leasing Consultant, you are ready to start applying for positions. First, create a resume or update your old one. If you have limited experience or training, you may look for companies that offer an engaging training plan to help you be the best in your new career. Companies like the Lewis Group that invest in you will ensure you have the right skills to succeed, offering a variety of opportunities to advance.

How to Ace an Interview for a Career in Apartment Leasing

From the get-go, your interviewer will want to know what brings you to the world of apartment leasing. To prepare yourself, think about what interests you about property management and real estate. Ask yourself how you hope to grow your career in real estate, and where you see yourself in three years.

Some employers want their candidates to come in with years of field experience under their belt. However, at Lewis Careers, we understand that everyone has to start somewhere. That’s why we offer a funded training program for all of our new hires. If you don’t have real estate experience, don’t sweat it. Instead, focus on how your previous sales or customer service experience will set you ahead of the pack.

Hard skills like computer skills and the ones you’ve gained throughout your education or previous work experience are also important. Soft skills, such as the ability to communicate or apply emotional intelligence in the workplace, are just as important.

Remember, apartment leasing jobs are customer-facing jobs. In other words, you are applying to become the go-between for future and current residents and the property management company they lease from. That means that more than anything, you need to be a people person!

There are a few ways to demonstrate your ability to work with people besides a strong track record in customer service. The simplest way is through your personality, enthusiasm, and smile. Treat your interviewer with kindness and respect. Smile, make eye contact, ask good questions, and express your enthusiasm! It’s simple advice, but it works.

Become a Leasing Consultant Today

Now you know the benefits, requirements, and skills of becoming a Leasing Consultant, we invite you to start looking for apartment leasing careers.

If you’re looking for your next career as a Leasing Consultant, check out our Open Positons Page. Apply below and work for a great family-oriented and award-winning company that prides itself on a dynamic promotion from within culture.