Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Leasing Representative
💰 $45,000 - $65,000 + Commission
🎯 Role Definition
The Leasing Representative is a sales-focused and customer-centric role responsible for the entire leasing process of the community, from generating initial leads to securing signed leases. This position serves as the primary point of contact for prospective residents, guiding them through the property, answering their questions, and showcasing the value of our community. Success in this role is measured by achieving occupancy targets, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and effectively marketing the property to a wide audience.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Leasing Assistant
- Sales Associate
- Customer Service Representative
- Hospitality Professional
Advancement To:
- Senior Leasing Representative
- Assistant Property Manager
- Property Manager
Lateral Moves:
- Corporate Housing Specialist
- Real Estate Agent (with licensure)
- Marketing Coordinator (Real Estate)
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Manage the entire leasing lifecycle, from handling the initial inquiry and scheduling appointments to processing applications and executing lease agreements.
- Conduct engaging and informative tours of the property, model units, and amenities, tailoring the presentation to meet the specific needs of prospective residents.
- Respond promptly and professionally to all incoming leads, including phone calls, emails, and walk-in traffic, to maximize leasing opportunities.
- Develop and maintain an expert-level knowledge of the property, including pricing, floor plans, features, amenities, and the surrounding neighborhood.
- Execute dynamic marketing and outreach strategies, including corporate outreach, preferred employer programs, and local business partnerships, to generate qualified traffic.
- Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with prospective and current residents, fostering a welcoming community environment and encouraging referrals.
- Skillfully negotiate lease terms and close sales by overcoming objections and effectively communicating the property's unique value proposition.
- Qualify prospective residents by thoroughly verifying applications, including credit history, rental references, and income documentation, in compliance with company policies.
- Diligently follow up with all prospects who have toured the community but have not yet made a leasing decision, utilizing a CRM system to manage the pipeline.
- Strive to achieve and consistently exceed monthly leasing goals, occupancy targets, and resident retention benchmarks set by management.
- Ensure the leasing office, tour path, model apartments, and common areas are impeccably clean, organized, and presentable at all times.
- Accurately and consistently track all prospect and resident communication, leasing activity, and traffic sources using property management software (e.g., Yardi, Entrata).
- Plan, promote, and execute engaging resident retention programs, social activities, and community events to enhance the resident experience.
- Address and resolve resident concerns, questions, and service requests promptly and effectively to ensure a high level of resident satisfaction.
- Inspect model apartments and "market-ready" vacant units daily to ensure they are in perfect condition for showing to prospective residents.
Secondary Functions
- Conduct comprehensive market surveys and competitor analysis on a regular basis to provide management with insights on local trends, pricing, and concessions.
- Assist the Property Manager in preparing and processing resident files, ensuring all documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with Fair Housing regulations.
- Support the move-in and move-out processes by conducting unit inspections, coordinating with maintenance, and managing key distribution and collection.
- Generate and contribute to weekly and monthly reports detailing leasing activity, traffic analysis, marketing effectiveness, and market conditions for management review.
- Collaborate with the marketing team to create compelling content for social media platforms, property websites, and online listing services to attract prospects.
- Participate in ongoing professional development and training sessions on sales techniques, Fair Housing laws, new software, and company policies.
- Assist with processing rental payments, preparing bank deposits, and supporting basic delinquency and collections efforts as directed by the Property Manager.
- Collaborate closely with the maintenance team to ensure service requests are completed in a timely manner and that vacant units are turned over efficiently for new residents.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Property Management Software: Proficiency in industry-specific software such as Yardi, Entrata, RealPage, or AppFolio for managing leads, leases, and resident data.
- Fair Housing Law: Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local Fair Housing laws and landlord-tenant regulations to ensure compliance.
- CRM & Lead Management: Experience using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to track and nurture leads through the sales funnel.
- Lease Administration: Ability to accurately prepare, review, and execute legal lease agreements and associated addenda.
- MS Office Suite: Competency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word for documents, Excel for tracking, and Outlook for communication.
Soft Skills
- Sales & Persuasion: A natural sales ability with a proven track record of closing deals, overcoming objections, and meeting sales quotas.
- Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to build rapport with a diverse range of people.
- Customer Service Excellence: A genuine passion for delivering outstanding customer service and creating positive experiences for prospects and residents.
- Organizational & Time Management: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
- Resilience & Goal-Orientation: A proactive, self-motivated, and goal-driven mindset with the resilience to handle rejection and stay focused on targets.
- Problem-Solving: Strong critical thinking and conflict-resolution skills to address resident issues and operational challenges effectively.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- High School Diploma or GED is required.
Preferred Education:
- Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Business Administration
- Marketing & Communications
- Real Estate
- Hospitality Management
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of relevant experience.
Preferred: Direct experience in residential property leasing, real estate sales, or a high-volume, commission-based sales role is highly preferred. A background in customer-facing roles within hospitality or luxury retail environments will also be strongly considered.