Every loan officer wants to know how to partner with real estate agents, especially top producers. They’re experienced, connected, and consistently closing deals. But here’s the reality: agents are hit with up to 35 loan officer referrals a day, and most already have a lender they know and trust. If you’re reaching out without a strategy, you’re likely just another name in the inbox.

Building successful partnerships with real estate agents isn’t about chasing the biggest names. It’s about aligning with the right agents—those who are growing, evolving, and open to building new, strategic partnerships. And most often, these are the agents being overlooked by your competition.

But how do you find these hidden gem-agents? Well, that’s where tools like Partner Intel comes in.

Built into Homebot, Partner Intel empowers you to connect with best-fit real-estate agents.  With data-driven insights on agent activity and client referrals, you can identify who’s engaging, who’s ready, and where real opportunities lie.

If you’re a loan officer who’s ready to build more meaningful connections with real estate agents, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive in.  

How to Partner Beyond Top Performing Real Estate Agents: 5 Overlooked Partnership Opportunities

Top producers get all the attention… but they’re not your only path to growth. In fact, some of the most valuable, loyal partnerships come from agents who aren’t yet at the top but are actively building toward it. These are the agents who have time to connect, are eager to collaborate, and are hungry to grow alongside the right lender.

If you're only chasing the busiest agents in your market, you're missing high-potential partners hiding in plain sight. Here are five often-overlooked opportunities to build meaningful, strategic relationships that last.

1. The Rising Star

Rising Stars are the agents in your market who are gaining momentum fast. They’re newer to the industry or just beginning to hit their stride, closing a steady stream of transactions and investing in their brand. They may not have a massive database, but what they do have is time, energy, and a deep commitment to delivering for their clients.

These are the agents who are actively looking for the right lending partner, someone who will grow with them, show up for their clients, and add long-term value. They’re not locked into old habits or long-term lender relationships. They’re coachable, collaborative, and hungry to learn. They make great partnership opportunities because:

• They’re future top producers. A strong relationship now can turn into a referral powerhouse later.
• They have more availability to build a real partnership, not just a transactional connection.
• They’re digitally savvy and more likely to embrace mortgage marketing tools to differentiate themselves and serve their clients better.

How to Connect with Rising Stars With Partner Intel: Use filters to search for agents with low total transactions but high activity in the last 3–6 months. Set up a Saved Search Alert for “Agents with New Transactions” to stay ahead.

2. The Buy-Side Specialist

Buy-side specialists are agents who focus the majority of their business on homebuyers. They’re skilled at educating clients, navigating financing conversations, and keeping buyers confident from search to close. And now, as inventory begins to rise and buyers regain some leverage, these agents are doubling down on smart, strategic support to help their clients move quickly and wisely.

But here’s the opportunity: even the best Buy-side agents need a lender who can match their level of service, speed, and clarity. The right loan officer becomes more than just a referral… they become an extension of their buyer experience. Buyer-side agents make great partners as:

• They work with motivated clients who need fast, reliable lending support.
• They’re actively nurturing long-term buyers, many of whom are early in their journey and need education along the way.
• They know that winning in this market takes collaboration, not competition.

This is where you step in. If you can simplify financing conversations, provide creative mortgage solutions, and help them close deals faster, you're not just helping one buyer. You’re becoming a trusted partner they’ll bring into every future transaction.

How to Connect with Buyer-Side Specialists With Partner Intel: Use filters to spot agents who are consistently working with buyer clients… especially those whose clients are engaging deeply with tools like Homebot’s Affordability Search or Listing Alerts. Filter by % buy-side transactions to target agents who specialize in representing buyers. Bonus: Check how many loan officers they’ve worked with. Some may be wide open to a new lending partner.

3. The Market Shifter

Market shifters are agents who are actively transitioning their business model. Maybe they’ve shifted from listings to buyers. Maybe they’re expanding into new geographies, exploring a new niche, or doubling down on digital marketing. Whatever the move, one thing is clear: they’re adapting to stay ahead and that creates a window for you to step in.

During times of change, agents are reassessing their partnerships. They're looking for people who bring solutions, not just services. That’s where you come in. Not as a lender looking for leads, but as a strategic ally ready to support their next chapter. Market shifters make great partners as:

• They’re actively evaluating what’s working and what’s not, giving you a rare chance to break through.
• They’re more open to new tools, strategies, and partners that align with their goals.
• They’re investing in growth, which means long-term opportunity for the right lender.

This is your moment to offer stability and support. Whether they’re entering a new market or adjusting to a different type of client, your ability to provide fast insights, data-driven advice, and co-branded tools like Homebot can make a real impact.

How to Connect with Market Shifters With Partner Intel: Use Partner Intel to spot behavior shifts: Track recent listing activity, market share changes, or agents with pending/coming soon listings. You’ll spot trends others aren’t looking for.

4. The Niche Market Pro

Niche Market Pros are agents who’ve carved out a clear specialization—whether it’s first-time buyers, luxury clients, military families, relocation clients, or even a specific cultural or community focus. These agents aren't trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, they’ve built deep trust within their niche by delivering personalized service, tailored expertise, and real results.

Here’s why that matters: niche agents need lender partners who understand their audience and can match their level of care and communication. They don’t want a generic lending experience. They want a collaborator who can enhance the value they already deliver. They make great partners because:

• They have high referral potential thanks to strong community trust.
• They tend to work with clients who need education and a guided experience… making lender communication critical.
• They’re protective of their brand, which means if you earn their trust, you’ve likely earned it for the long haul.

Your opportunity lies in alignment. Show that you understand the nuances of their audience. Whether that’s providing VA loan expertise, down payment assistance resources, or multilingual support, your value should reflect the clients they serve.

How to Connect with Niche Market Pros With Partner Intel: Use Partner Intel to identify agents working consistently in specific ZIP codes, price ranges, or loan types. These patterns often point to niche focus areas. You can also look for signs of highly engaged clients within a certain demo or stage of life.

5. The Underrated Producer

They’re closing deals. Their numbers are solid. But they’re missing one key piece: a lending partner they can truly count on.

Underrated producers are agents who consistently move business but haven’t committed to a go-to lender. Maybe they’re working with multiple loan officers. Maybe they’ve been burned by poor communication. Or maybe they simply haven’t found someone who adds real value beyond the transaction.

This is your chance to step in. Not just as another option, but as the better one. These agents make great partnership opportunities because: 

• They have consistent client flow but lack a stable lending relationship.
• Their open-book approach means they’re more likely to try new partnerships.
• They often feel the pain of disjointed communication, and are actively seeking reliability.

Consistency wins here. Underrated Producers aren’t impressed by flashy sales tactics—they’re looking for a lender who shows up, communicates clearly, and supports their clients like they’re their own.

How to Connect with Underrated Producers With Partner Intel: Check unique loan officer count data to identify agents who haven’t established strong lender ties. Bring something better to the table like Homebot’s buyer tools and co-branded insights.

Conclusion: How to Partner with Real Estate Agents The Smarter Way

If you’re wondering how to partner with real estate agents in a way that actually drives business, not just short-term deals, but long-term, trust-based relationships, start by looking beyond the obvious. 

The market is too competitive… solely trying to reach out to top-producing isn’t your most proactive strategy. From rising stars to niche experts, buy-side specialists to agents in transition,  there’s a world of high-potential partners who are ready for a deeper, more strategic lending relationship. The key? Knowing who to connect with and when.

Homebot’s Partner Intel makes that possible. Homebot gives you visibility into agent activity, referral patterns, and engagement signals so you can stop guessing and start building partnerships that actually last. Whether you're identifying agents with untapped loyalty, spotting behavior shifts, or supporting buyers with co-branded tools, Homebot helps you bring more value to the table, exactly where it's needed most.

Ready to stop chasing cold leads and start creating real connections? Book a demo today.

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