Difference Between a Real Estate Agent and an On-Site Leasing Agent

Benjy Orbach is a business administration graduate with years of sales and operations management experience. Based in Methuen, Massachusetts, Benjy Orbach is exploring a career as an on-site leasing agent.

An on-site leasing agent has the responsibility of showing prospective tenants an apartment for lease. On the other hand, a real estate agent helps property sellers market their properties, and buyers to purchase a property.

The significant difference between a real estate agent and an on-site leasing agent is that the latter resides and works in a corporate setting at the apartment to be leased. In contrast, a real estate agent usually works offsite. An on-site leasing agent can be hired by the property's landlord or agency, while a real estate agent works for a real estate company or under self-employment. Hiring an on-site leasing agent is ideal for individuals looking to lease out their properties while real estate agents are ideal for selling properties.

Another difference is the disparity in the earnings based on commissions. A real estate agent's commission is a fixed percentage of the total selling price. In comparison, an on-site leasing agent's commission depends on the landlord's arrangement and can be based on the rent paid for the first three months or one year.