The Future of Apartment Locator Commissions: A 3-Part Industry SeriesOver the past few months, I’ve been working on something that affects every apartment locator — regardless of market, experience level, or business model.This short, three-part series explains:What has changed in the apartment locating industryWhy getting paid has become harder than it should beAnd what we can do — together — to...

All 50 States Now Require Apartment Locators to Hold an Active Real Estate License - and Why This is a Turning Point for the Industry /* Scoped to this CTA only */ .naal-cta-box svg{ width: 16px !important; height: 16px !important; max-width: 16px !important; max-height: 16px !important; flex: 0 0 16px !important; display: inline-block !important; vertical-align: middle...

What Happens When Apartment Locators Can't Rely on Getting Paid /* Scoped to this CTA only */ .naal-cta-box svg{ width: 16px !important; height: 16px !important; max-width: 16px !important; max-height: 16px !important; flex: 0 0 16px !important; display: inline-block !important; vertical-align: middle !important; } .naal-cta-box svg *{ vector-effect:...

Introducing the NAAL Commission Directory: A Better Way Forward for Apartment Locators /* Scoped to this CTA only */ .naal-cta-box svg{ width: 16px !important; height: 16px !important; max-width: 16px !important; max-height: 16px !important; flex: 0 0 16px !important; display: inline-block !important; vertical-align: middle !important; } .naal-cta-box svg *{...

Home Why Locating Commissions Are So Confusing (and Why Everyone Is Frustrated) If you’ve ever wondered why apartment locating commissions feel so confusing, time-consuming, and stressful—for both locators and leasing teams—the short answer is simple: there is no consistent, centralized way to document how commissions actually work. This confusion isn’t anyone’s fault at the...

Home Why Verbal Locator Commissions Are No Longer Compliant Introduction This is a fundamental turning point for the apartment locating industry—one that changes how locating services must operate nationwide. For decades, the apartment locating industry has been fragmented because each state has it's own independent real estate laws. Apartment locating commissions have relied on...

Home Do Apartment Locators Need A License? Apartment locators are required to hold an active real estate license in all 50 states. What was once treated in some states as an informal marketing agreement is now clearly recognized as a licensed real estate activity nationwide. Apartment locators are paid a commission that is tied directly to a lease transaction. Because this compensation...

Home Who Governs Apartment Locators? Apartment locators are governed by state real estate licensing authorities and their sponsoring brokers. As of 2025, all 50 states require apartment locators to hold an active real estate license, bringing apartment locating fully under existing real estate law nationwide. State Real Estate Licensing Boards Each state’s real estate commission or...

Home How to Become an Apartment Locator Download The Article ‍Are you interested in starting an apartment locating business but don't know where to start? Are you a broker and want to recruit locators but need training and resources? Or maybe you already have a business but need more support and training to make it profitable. Don't worry, we've got you covered. What Is...

Prohibited From Using Third-Party Systems For Locator Commission Payments In Texas At the National Association of Apartment Locators, one of our primary goals is to help foster clarity, collaboration, and compliance between apartment locators and property owners and managers. As the apartment locating industry continues to evolve, it’s important that we stay aligned with the real estate laws enacted and...