For Realtors
Did A Former Client Lose A Property? There May Be Money Still Owed.
Realtors are often the professionals who know families before, during, and after financial distress. A former client may have lost a home through foreclosure, tax sale, or another forced sale — but that does not mean the story ends with the sale. If the property sold for more than what was owed, surplus funds may exist. The family probably does not know. You can help.
Attorney Fee Structure — For Your Clients
No Upfront Attorney Fees In Qualifying Matters
In qualifying matters, claimants do not pay attorney fees or case-related costs upfront. If a claim is accepted and funds are recovered, approved attorney fees and case costs are paid from the recovery according to the written agreement and applicable law. Attorney approval is required. Recovery is not guaranteed.
Unique Position
Why Realtors Are Uniquely Positioned To Help
Realtors build relationships that span years and transactions. You may be the only professional who knows the full arc of a family's property history — including the properties they lost. Here are common scenarios where your knowledge can make a difference.
The Foreclosure Client
You helped a family buy a home years ago. Life circumstances changed. The home went into foreclosure and was sold. The family moved on. But if the foreclosure sale price exceeded the mortgage balance, surplus funds may exist in the county or court account — and the family may not know.
The Tax Sale Property
A client owned a property free and clear but fell behind on property taxes. The county sold the property at a tax sale. The sale may have generated more than the tax delinquency. The excess — sometimes substantial — may belong to your former client.
The Inherited Property That Was Lost
A client inherited a property from a parent but could not manage the costs. The property was sold through a forced sale process. Heirs in this situation rarely receive clear communication about potential surplus funds. You may be the only professional who can connect them to the right information.
The Pre-Listing Discovery
A prospective seller mentions a previous property that was lost to foreclosure or tax sale. Before they list their current home with you, they may be able to recover funds from the prior property — improving their financial position for the next transaction.
The Process
How The Realtor Referral Process Works
Referring a client through NEPEX is straightforward and respects both your professional obligations and your client relationship. Here is the pathway.
Recognize The Situation
You identify a current or former client whose property was sold through foreclosure, tax sale, or another forced sale process.
Have The Conversation
You tell your client that surplus funds may exist and that NEPEX provides a free educational review. You obtain their consent to submit an inquiry.
Submit The Referral
You or your client complete the preliminary educational review form. NEPEX coordinates the research from there.
Stay Informed
You receive status updates so you can keep your client informed. You do not manage the claim — NEPEX coordinates the process.
Ethics
Ethical Referral Practices For Realtors
The NAR Code of Ethics requires Realtors to protect and promote the interests of their clients. Referring a client through the NEPEX educational intake process is consistent with that obligation — provided it is done transparently and with the client's informed consent. Here are principles to guide you.
No Legal Advice
As a Realtor, you do not provide legal advice about excess proceeds claims. Your role is to connect clients to educational resources and referral pathways. NEPEX handles the research coordination, documentation, and claim support.
Transparent Communication
Tell your client what you know and what you do not know. Explain that surplus funds may exist, that NEPEX provides free educational review, and that you are making an introduction — not a guarantee.
No Referral Fees For Consumer Referrals
NEPEX does not pay referral fees for consumer-directed referrals. The exchange is an educational coordination service. You participate because it serves your client — not because it generates a separate revenue stream.
Client Consent
Always obtain your client's consent before submitting any information through the NEPEX intake process. The client, not the Realtor, controls whether to pursue a potential claim.
Client Communication
What To Tell Your Client About Excess Proceeds
You do not need to be an excess proceeds expert to have this conversation. You are a Realtor who cares about your client's full financial picture — past properties included. Here is a simple framework.
Be direct but measured. "When a property is sold through foreclosure or tax sale, sometimes the sale generates more than what was owed. That extra money may still belong to the former owner. I want to make sure you have explored whether anything may be owed to you from your previous property."
Do not make promises. You are not guaranteeing that funds exist or that they can be recovered. You are connecting your client to an educational resource that can determine whether there is something worth pursuing.
Explain the NEPEX process. "The National Excess Proceeds Exchange provides free educational review. They research whether funds may exist, explain what documentation is needed, and coordinate the claim process. You decide whether to proceed at every step."
Respect their choice. If your client is not interested, drop it. If they are interested, help them submit the preliminary review form. Either way, you have served your client well by raising an issue most professionals never mention.
Not a Law Firm
National Excess Proceeds Exchange is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice, and is not a government agency. Realtors who refer clients through the NEPEX intake process do so as an educational introduction, not as legal counsel. Nothing on this site creates an attorney-client relationship. Realtors should consult their broker, their professional standards advisor, and the NAR Code of Ethics regarding participation in referral programs.
Refer A Former Client Today
If you know a current or former client whose property was sold through foreclosure, tax sale, or another forced sale, a few minutes of educational review could reveal funds they did not know existed.
Free educational review. No obligation. No guarantee of recovery.