How to Find a Realtor in Another State When Relocating to Palm Beach County

If you are moving to South Florida, learning how to find a realtor in another state is one of the first jobs on your list. You cannot drive past yard signs or drop into open houses from Chicago or New Jersey. Still, you need someone on the ground who knows Palm Beach County, Hobe Sound or Port St. Lucie street by street. This guide covers where to find good agents and how to vet them from a distance. It also explains remote tours, remote closings and the sale of the home you are leaving.

Key takeaways

• Referrals still lead. In NAR's 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 43% of buyers found their agent through a friend, neighbor or relative, and 7% through another agent.
• Long-distance movers usually need two agents. Among sellers who bought a home more than 100 miles away, 92% used a different agent for the purchase.
• You can check any Florida agent's license and discipline record for free on the state DBPR website.
• Since August 17, 2024, you must sign a written buyer agreement before an agent tours a home with you, in person or by video.
• Florida allows remote online notarization, so many buyers sign closing papers without flying in.

How to find a realtor in another state who knows the area

Every state handles real estate a little differently. Florida has its own contracts and its own rules on agent roles. It also has its own risks, such as flood zones, wind insurance and condo safety laws. A local agent knows these details and can spot problems you would not see on a listing site.

Also, local knowledge matters more than ever when you cannot visit. Palm Beach County alone stretches from Boca Raton to Jupiter and west to Wellington and the Acreage. Each area has its own housing mix, commute and price range. A good agent can tell you which streets flood and which communities have strict rental rules. They also know which buildings face big repair bills.

The market also moves at different speeds by home type. In August 2026, Palm Beach County single-family homes went under contract in a median of 40 days, according to Miami Realtors and the Beaches MLS. Condos and townhouses took 69 days. So a remote buyer of a house may need to act quickly, while a condo buyer often has more time to compare.

How to find a realtor in another state: start with referrals

The most common path is still word of mouth. NAR's 2025 report found that 43% of buyers were referred to their agent by a friend, neighbor or relative. That rose to 49% for first-time buyers.

Start by asking people you trust who have bought in South Florida. Next, ask your current agent at home. Agents often refer clients to agents in other states. In fact, 7% of buyers in NAR's report found their agent this way. A referral fee is usually paid between the two agents, so ask your agent how it works and whether it affects you.

If your employer is paying for the move, check your relocation benefits too. Some relocation companies assign agents from an approved list. Only 1% of buyers in NAR's report found their agent through an employer or relocation company. Still, if you have the benefit, it can cover real costs.

How to find a realtor in another state online

Online searches can work, but look past paid ads and rankings. Instead, look for agents who write about the exact towns you are considering and who list homes there. Read reviews on more than one site. Then look at the agent's own listings and recent sales to see whether they work in your price range.

How to find a realtor in another state and vet them by video

Once you have two or three names, set up video calls. NAR found that most buyers interview only one agent. Among repeat buyers, 76% talked to just one, and 16% of all buyers interviewed two. When you are buying sight unseen, a second or third interview is worth the time.

Check the license first

Every Florida agent must hold a license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. You can look up any agent for free on the DBPR license search. Confirm the license is active and see which brokerage it is under. The DBPR also explains how to check for complaints or discipline.

Questions to ask on the first call

• How many buyers from out of state have you helped in the past year?
• Which towns and price ranges do you work in most?
• Will you do live video tours, and how long do they usually take?
• How do you handle inspections, insurance quotes and the appraisal when I am not there?
• Who covers for you when you are busy or away?
• What do you charge, and what does your written buyer agreement say?

Listen for specific answers. A strong relocation agent will talk about flood zones, insurance costs, HOA approval times and the drive to your new job without being asked.

The written buyer agreement and agent roles

Practice changes that took effect on August 17, 2024 affect every buyer. According to NAR's consumer guide to written buyer agreements, you must sign a written agreement before an agent tours a home with you. That rule covers live virtual tours as well as in-person visits. The agreement must state the agent's pay as a clear amount, such as a flat fee or a percentage. It cannot be open-ended.

Florida also has its own rules on agent roles. Under section 475.278, agents are presumed to be transaction brokers unless another role is set up in writing. A transaction broker gives limited representation to both sides. A single agent owes you full loyalty and confidentiality. Florida bans dual agency. So ask which role your agent will take and read the disclosure before you sign.

Touring homes when you cannot be there

Remote buyers lean heavily on video. In NAR's 2025 report, 52% of buyers used online video sites in their search, and listing photos were rated very useful by 81% of internet searchers. However, listing photos only show what the seller wants you to see.

A live video tour with your agent fills the gap. Ask the agent to walk the whole home, open closets and cabinets, run the faucets, and show the ceilings for water stains. Ask them to step outside and pan the street, the neighbors' yards and the view from the back. Also ask about noise from roads, train lines or flight paths, since a camera will not always pick it up.

If you can make one short trip, plan it well. Many relocating buyers narrow the list by video, then fly in for a weekend to see the top three or four homes. Others send a trusted friend or relative to look in person.

Making an offer and closing from a distance

Once you find the right home, the rest of the process can happen remotely. You can sign the contract electronically. During your inspection period, your agent will help you book the home inspection and get an insurance quote. A wind mitigation inspection may also help. If the home is in a condo or HOA, the agent will also chase the association documents and any approval the community requires.

For the closing, Florida allows remote online notarization under Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes. Many title companies offer it, so you may be able to sign your loan and closing papers on a recorded video call. Ask your title company early whether they offer it and what ID they need.

Protect your closing funds

Wire fraud is a real risk for remote buyers. The CFPB advises buyers to confirm wiring instructions by phone with a trusted contact. Use a number you already know, not one from an email. Never send account details by email. If you think you have been scammed, call your bank right away and file a report at the FBI's IC3 site.

How to find a realtor in another state for the home you sell

Many relocating buyers also have a home to sell. In NAR's data, 51% of sellers used the same agent for the sale and the purchase. However, that fell to just 8% when the new home was more than 100 miles away. In other words, you will almost certainly need two agents, one in each market.

So the two agents should talk to each other. They can line up your closing dates and keep both deals on schedule. If you need more time, they can also plan a rent-back. Do you need the equity from your sale to buy? Then tell your lender early, since that affects which loan and timeline make sense.

If you already own property in Florida and are moving away, our guide to selling a house from out of state covers the other side of the move.

Picking the right part of the region

Finally, give your agent a clear brief. Tell them your budget, your commute and your school needs. Then say whether you want a gated community, a condo, a pool or land. Coastal towns such as Jupiter offer a very different lifestyle and price range than newer suburbs such as Port St. Lucie. A good agent will help you compare them honestly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know how to find a realtor in another state that I can trust?

Start with referrals from friends and your current agent, then interview two or three agents by video. Check each license on the Florida DBPR website and ask for recent sales in your target towns.

Can I buy a house in Florida without seeing it in person?

Yes. Many buyers rely on live video tours, inspections and their agent's reports. Still, an in-person visit or a trusted friend's walk-through lowers the risk of surprises.

Do I have to sign an agreement before a video tour?

Yes. Under the practice changes that began August 17, 2024, you sign a written buyer agreement before an agent tours a home with you, including a live virtual tour.

Can I close on a Florida home without flying in?

Often, yes. Florida allows remote online notarization, and many title companies offer it. Ask your lender and title company early, since some loans have their own rules.

Sources

• NAR, 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (full report)
• NAR, consumer guide to written buyer agreements
• Florida Statutes, section 475.278 (brokerage relationships)
• Florida DBPR, license search
• Florida Statutes, Chapter 117 (notaries and online notarization)
• CFPB, mortgage closing scams
• Miami Realtors, Palm Beach County August 2026 market report

Selling one home and buying another? If your current home is in our area, Pure Equity can price it and plan the sale around your move. For buyers relocating to Palm Beach County, Hobe Sound or Port St. Lucie, we offer live video tours and a free relocation consultation. Request your consultation.