When a client tells you they are thinking about Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Palm Beach, you want to keep serving them well even though the property is outside your market. A referral to a local advisor lets your client get on-the-ground support while you stay in the loop. This guide walks through how to prepare, what to share, and how to set expectations so the referral protects both your client and your professional relationship.
Before you refer: confirm the basics
A good referral starts before any introduction. Check three things first:
- Your client agrees to their contact details being shared with a South Florida advisor.
- Your own brokerage's policies on outgoing referrals, including who must approve them.
- Whether you expect referral compensation. If you do, the terms must be agreed in writing between the brokerages before the client is introduced.
Our process page explains how we handle each of these steps.
How referrals workStep-by-step referral checklist
- Have a short introductory conversation with the receiving advisor about your client type and expectations.
- Agree the collaboration scope and any referral terms in writing between the participating brokerages.
- Get your client's consent to share their information.
- Send a client introduction with general information only (goals, budget range, timing, preferred areas, language).
- Confirm who will represent the client and how they will be represented.
- Agree the milestones at which you will receive updates, and your preferred channel.
- Stay available to your client — you remain their trusted contact.
What to include in the first introduction
Keep the first message short and practical. Useful details include:
| Topic | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Goal: buy, sell, invest, or relocate | Shapes the whole search and who needs to be involved. |
| Approximate budget range | Narrows property types and areas quickly. |
| Timing | Separates exploratory clients from those who need to move soon. |
| Preferred areas or lifestyle priorities | Helps match the client to the right county and neighborhood. |
| Language and communication preferences | Lets us plan calls, tours, and updates the client is comfortable with. |
| Whether the client can visit in person | Decides whether to start with remote tours. |
Do not send passports, bank statements, financial documents, or other sensitive identity information by email or through a website form. Those are handled later, through appropriate channels, if and when they are needed.
Setting expectations with your client
Tell your client who they will hear from, roughly when, and that you will still be updated along the way. Explain that a local advisor will clarify representation, understand their goals, and coordinate a tailored search with in-person or remote tours.
If your client is unsure which part of South Florida fits them, our county comparison is a good starting point for that conversation.
Miami-Dade vs. Broward vs. Palm BeachCommon questions to ask the receiving advisor
- Which areas and property types do you focus on?
- Which languages do you work in?
- How do you support clients who cannot travel for the first viewings?
- How and when will I be updated?
- What follow-up support is included after closing?
You can read about our backgrounds and the areas we cover on our About and Markets pages.
About the advisorsOur marketsThis guide is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Referral eligibility and compensation are subject to brokerage approval, written agreement, and applicable requirements.