Back To Top

How Trio works with agents.

Learn how agents can partner with Trio to help buyers who may not fit traditional financing. This section explains the agent’s role, the buyer process, commission expectations, home options, and who Trio may be able to help.

How Trio works with agents.

Learn how agents can partner with Trio to help buyers who may not fit traditional financing. This section explains the agent’s role, the buyer process, commission expectations, home options, and who Trio may be able to help.

Why Work With Trio?

Traditional lending does not work for every buyer. Some buyers have income, motivation, and a real desire to own, but their file does not fit neatly into a standard approval box. Trio gives agents another path to keep those buyers moving instead of losing the relationship, the showing activity, or the potential closing.

Save more buyers from falling out after a loan denial.

Create another path for buyers with self-employment, 1099 income, ITIN status, limited job history, or a recent life change.

Stay connected to buyers who may need a longer runway before traditional financing is realistic.

Help buyers shop with more confidence once they understand the Trio program and what documentation is needed to become an equitable title homeowner.

Introduce buyers to eligible open-market homes or available Move-In Ready Homes depending on the buyer's needs and program fit.

Manage one of Trio’s portfolio homes as a listing agent.

How The Process Works

  1. Identify a buyer who may be a good fit. This may include a buyer denied for traditional financing, a first-time buyer, a self-employed buyer, an ITIN buyer, a buyer rebuilding credit, or a buyer who needs a structured path toward ownership, etc.
  2. Connect the buyer with a participating lender or Trio’s application path. The buyer applies and provides required documentation for review.
  3. Help the buyer shop for eligible homes. The buyer may choose an eligible home in the open market or review available Move-In Ready Homes. Property eligibility should always be confirmed before assuming a home will work.
  4. Submit contract documents once a home is selected and under contract. The accepted purchase agreement, MLS detail, signed Trio assignment addendum, and related items are uploaded through Trio’s contract upload process.
  5. Stay engaged through review, conditions, and closing. Trio, the lender, buyer, and agent coordinate to help move the transaction forward.
  6. Close the transaction and continue the relationship. Agents can stay connected as a trusted real estate advisor while Trio supports the buyer's path forward.

Commission

  • Your commission stays yours – Trio does not collect any fees from it.
  • Trio is designed to support the real estate relationship — not replace it. When an agent brings a buyer or participates in an eligible transaction, the agent receives 100% of their contracted real estate commission, subject to the applicable brokerage agreement, agency agreement, listing agreement, purchase agreement, and final closing terms.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Commission amounts, payment timing, and cooperating broker terms should follow the signed purchase/listing documents and applicable brokerage requirements. Trio should not be positioned as guaranteeing a commission outside of the executed transaction documents.
  • Keep your buyer relationship.
  • Stay involved in the home search and contract process.
  • Use Trio as an additional path when traditional financing does not fit.

Customer Home Options

  • Help your buyer choose an eligible home.
  • Buyers working with Trio have two home-search options. They may choose an eligible home on the open market with the support of their real estate agent, or they may review available Move-In Ready Homes.
  • For open-market homes, the agent supports the buyer through the home search, contract process, and required document upload. For Move-In Ready Homes, the agent can help the buyer review the available opportunity and understand the next steps, subject to eligibility and transaction terms.
  • Agents should not submit homes to Trio for listing opportunities. An outside market home is only sent to Trio after the buyer has selected the home, and the transaction is ready to move through the Link process.

LISTING AGENT EXPECTATIONS

Move-In Ready Homes

This section is for agents specifically engaged by Trio to support Trio-owned or Trio-controlled homes. Agents helping buyers secure financing do not need to be Trio-approved agents. If interested in becoming a listing agent for us, please contact us at partners@thinktrio.com.

Listing agents play a key role in helping Trio prepare, protect, price, and sell portfolio properties efficiently. Once a home becomes vacant and is transitioned to Trio’s third-party property management or repair team, the assigned listing agent may help assess the home’s condition, repair needs, pricing strategy, utility status, access, and overall readiness before it goes to market.

This process helps Trio reduce unnecessary repair costs, avoid duplicate inspections or missed items, make better repair-scope decisions, and launch each listing with the right pricing, photos, presentation, and timing.

Agent
Responsibilities

Repair &
Turn Timing

Walkthrough
Standards

Utilities &
Access

Ongoing
Expectations

Agent
Responsibilities

Stage What the Agent Does Deliverable
Vacancy /
Onboarding
Review property details, access instructions, known condition notes, and any available bids. Initial review and feedback
Before Repairs Walk the property, review bids, and recommend what to add, remove, or leave as-is. Repair notes, photos, and scope recommend­ation
Pricing Review Provide pricing guidance based on current condition and recommended repairs. CMA or pricing summary
After Repairs Confirm completed work matches expectations and flag missing or incomplete items. Photos and completion notes
Listing Prep Confirm the property is ready for photos, showings, utilities, lockbox access, and buyer traffic. Listing-readiness confirmation

Repair &
Turn Timing

Whenever possible, Trio prefers the listing agent to walk the property before the full repair turn is approved or completed. The agent should review any bid, identify what is truly needed, and recommend the best scope.

If repairs are already complete, the agent should complete a walkthrough to confirm the work was done correctly and flag any issues before listing.

Walkthrough
Standards

Each walkthrough should include clear photos and brief notes. For any damage or concern, agents should provide the location, description, and multiple supporting photos.

Utilities &
Access

Agents should confirm utility status where reasonably possible, including electricity, water, and gas if identifiable.

Any lockbox change, addition, or removal should be reported to Trio with the current code.

Ongoing
Expectations

Responsibility Expectation
Property Checks Check vacant or long-on-market homes weekly or bi-weekly when possible.
Condition Monitoring Report new damage, break-ins, water issues, pests, vandalism, or safety concerns immediately.
Showing Feedback Share showing volume, buyer feedback, objections, pricing concerns, and condition comments.
Repair Follow-Up Confirm completed vendor work and flag anything missed or poorly completed.
Lockbox Updates Notify Trio of changes and provide the current code.

Resources

Access helpful tools and next steps for agents, including contact options, contract document uploads, home requirements, program comparisons, Move-In Ready Home listings, and payment estimates.

PROGRAM FAQS

FAQS

See below for frequently asked questions about Link Home Loans, Link Convertible Lease, and Link Buyout Agreement. These FAQs are shared for informational purposes only. Customers should refer to their contract documents for their specific terms and requirements.

+-

Do real estate agents receive their commission when working with Trio?

Yes. Agents should receive 100% of their contracted real estate commission, subject to the applicable brokerage agreement, listing agreement, purchase agreement, and final closing terms. Trio should be positioned as supporting the transaction, not replacing the agent relationship.

+-

Can I bring my own buyer to Trio?

Yes. If you have a buyer who may not qualify through traditional mortgage financing, Trio may be an option depending on the buyer's profile, documentation, property, location, and underwriting requirements.

+-

Can my buyer use Trio on any home?

Not every home will qualify. Homes must meet program requirements, location availability, property type requirements, appraisal/valuation expectations, and property condition standards. Agents should confirm eligibility before assuming a home will work.

+-

What types of buyers may be a good fit?

Potential fits may include first-time buyers, self-employed buyers, 1099/gig workers, ITIN, buyers rebuilding credit, recent graduates, buyers with recent life changes, or those who are denied by traditional lending and much more!

+-

Does Trio have homes available now?

Yes. Move-In Ready Homes are available through the Trio website in various states throughout the United States.

+-

Who handles buyer qualification?

Buyers typically apply through a participating lender or Trio application path. Trio and its partners review eligibility, documentation, program fit, and closing requirements.

+-

What does the agent do during the process?

The agent remains the buyers real estate professional, helps with home search and showings, supports purchase contract execution, communicates property details, and helps keep the transaction moving.

+-

What is expected if I am assigned to list a Trio-owned or Trio-controlled home?

Assigned listing agents may be asked to complete walkthroughs, review repair bids, provide as-is and repaired-value pricing guidance, confirm utility/access status, manage lockbox updates, take detailed photos, provide weekly showing feedback, and check the property while vacant or on market.

+-

Does Trio replace the lender or agent?

No. Trio works with buyers, agents, and participating lenders to help create a path forward. The agent remains central to the real estate transaction.

+-

Do listing agents receive commission when selling a Trio home?

Yes. Listing agents are paid commission based on the successful sale of the home, subject to the listing agreement, brokerage requirements, and final closing terms.

Trio’s goal is to work with agents in a way that is clear, professional, and aligned with normal real estate transaction practices.

Get Started

Looking for a home beyond our Move-In Ready inventory? Click the Apply Now button below and complete the form. Our partner team will review your information and assist you with the next steps.

Move-In Ready

If you are looking for financing with zero down payment required, view a list of available Move-In Ready inventory homes that qualify here.

Once you've viewed the list of Move-In Ready homes, select the home address you'd like to apply for below, then click Apply Here below.

Customer Login

Please wait...

Forgot Password

We have sent you an email with a link to reset your password. If you don't see the email, be sure to check your 'Junk' email folders.

Please wait...

Reset Your ThinkTrio Account Password

Your password has been reset.

Passwords must be at least 8 characters and must contain uppercase, lowercase, and special characters.

Please wait...

Create an Account

Passwords must be at least 8 characters and must contain uppercase, lowercase, and special characters.

Please wait...

Become a Lender

Complete the fields below to learn more about partnering with us.

Thank you. Your request was successfully sent. We will be in touch.

Please wait...

Contact Us

Thank you. Your request was successfully sent. We will be in touch.

Yes
No

Please wait...