Another state.Same standard.
Albert is licensed in Texas. For buyers in other states, he finds, vets and introduces a licensed local agent, then stays involved through closing, at no separate cost to the buyer.
- Understand the goal
- Find local agents
- Vet them
- Make the introduction
- Sign the referral agreement
A Texas license does not cover a purchase in another state, so Albert works as the referral partner. He learns what the buyer needs, finds a licensed agent in that city, checks the license and track record, makes the introduction and follows the deal to closing. The referral fee is paid broker to broker out of the receiving agent's commission, so the buyer pays no separate fee. Federal loans like VA, FHA and USDA work in every state, and every state has its own housing finance agency with its own down payment programs.
Who qualifies.
- Buyers who live in another state and plan to buy there.
- Texans relocating to another state for work, family or the military.
- Buyers who found Albert online and want the same level of service where they live.
- Veterans and service members using VA benefits in any state.
- First-time buyers looking for their state's down payment programs.
How it works.
Understand the goal
Albert learns the city, budget, timeline, loan type and the kind of home the buyer wants.
Find local agents
He identifies agents who work in that specific market and price range.
Vet them
He checks each license through ARELLO license verification, reviews the track record and tests responsiveness before recommending anyone.
Make the introduction
Albert introduces the buyer and the agent directly, with the buyer's needs already explained.
Sign the referral agreement
The two brokerages put the referral in writing. The buyer signs a separate written agreement with the local agent before touring, as required since August 17, 2024.
Follow through to closing
Albert stays in contact with the buyer and the agent until the keys change hands.
How a referral is paid (example)
Example only. $400,000 x 3% = $12,000. $12,000 x 25% = $3,000, paid from the receiving brokerage to Albert's brokerage. $12,000 minus $3,000 = $9,000. Commissions are fully negotiable and not set by law, and referral fees typically run 20% to 35%.
The state housing finance agency and national program search links, a checklist for the out-of-state purchase, and an introduction to a vetted, licensed local agent.
What works
- The buyer pays no separate referral fee.
- The local agent's license is verified before the introduction.
- The referral is in writing between two brokerages.
- Albert stays involved through closing.
- VA, FHA, USDA and conventional 3% down loans work in every state.
What it costs you
- Albert is licensed only in Texas and does not represent the buyer in another state; the local agent does.
- Texas programs like TSAHC, TDHCA and the VLB loan do not apply outside Texas.
- Each state's down payment programs have their own rules, limits and lenders.
- Bank grants like Chase and Wells Fargo cover only eligible areas or listed metros.
The part nobody explains.
In Texas, sales agents receive referral fees only through their sponsoring broker, and paying unlicensed people for referrals is prohibited. A legitimate referral always runs broker to broker.
Since August 17, 2024, buyers sign a written agreement with their agent before touring a home, in person or by live virtual tour. Open houses are not included.
Any agent's license in any state can be checked through ARELLO license verification.
The NCSHA directory lists every state's housing finance agency, the source of most state down payment programs. HUD also lists local homebuying programs by state.
NACA has remote counselors nationwide, Navy Federal serves members in every state, and Bank of America runs a Down Payment Center search.
Get the packet.
The official links are not on this page on purpose. They come in one email, organized, with what to do with each one and in what order.
- The state housing finance agency and national program search links, a checklist for the out-of-state purchase, and an introduction to a vetted, licensed local agent.
- Every official link for this program, plus the links for every guide you explored here
- A match with a Texava-vetted lender who closes this program
- A direct reply from Albert in English or Spanish
Where should I send it?
Your packet is on its way.
Every guide you explore before you leave gets added to the next packet. Keep reading below.
Programs stack.
Asked most.
Does a referral cost the buyer more?+
No separate fee. The referral is paid broker to broker out of the receiving agent's commission.
Can Albert represent a buyer in another state?+
No. He is licensed in Texas. Outside Texas, a licensed local agent represents the buyer and Albert acts as the referral partner.
How is the local agent chosen?+
Albert checks the license through ARELLO, reviews the track record and tests responsiveness before making an introduction.
What is the written buyer agreement?+
Since August 17, 2024, buyers sign a written agreement with their agent before touring a home. Broker fees in it are fully negotiable and not set by law.
Do down payment programs exist in other states?+
Yes. Every state has a housing finance agency with its own programs, and a national search lists more than 2,800 down payment programs.
The value compounds.
$0 down, no monthly PMI
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