# How Our Free Locator Service Works | Income Restricted Apartments > Five clear steps from a 5-minute intake to a signed lease. Free to renters, funded by community referral fees. Application fee rebate on approval. URL: https://incomerestrictedapartments.com/how-it-works/ How It Works # A 5-Minute Intake, 24-48 Hour Matches, No Wasted Application Fees Our licensed Texas team is paid by apartment communities, not by you. Here's exactly what happens when you submit the form. ![Texas locator on the phone matching a renter to income restricted apartments](/images/misc/texas-locator-on-phone-matching-renter-to-income-r-2.webp) ## The Five-Step Match Simple on your end, and it stays that way. 1. 01 ### Tell us your basics Metro, household size, income range, and any voucher, screening, or accessibility needs. Takes about five minutes. 2. 02 ### We check qualification We match your numbers against current AMI limits by metro and program (30/50/60/80%) and flag which paths fit. 3. 03 ### We pre-screen the fit We compare your credit, background, and rental history against each community's tenant selection plan before you spend a fee. 4. 04 ### You get current matches Within 24-48 hours, a list of open communities that fit your budget, program, and household. No closed-list dead ends. 5. 05 ### We coordinate to lease-up We handle waitlist coordination, follow up on your applications, and rebate your application fee when you're approved and sign. ## Why This Model Works ### Communities pay for placement Apartment communities pay marketing budgets to fill vacancies. When we place a qualified renter, we're paid from that budget. It costs you nothing and your rent stays identical. ### Pre-screening protects your fees Application fees run $50-$150 per adult and none refund. We check your credit, background, and income against a community's rules before you spend anything. ### Application fee rebate When you're approved and sign a lease through our service, we rebate the application fee you paid to that community. It's a real dollar amount back in your pocket. ### Statewide inventory in one place One team tracks lease-ups, waitlist openings, and voucher acceptance across Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth. You don't have to. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is this really free? + Yes, 100%. We are a licensed apartment locating service paid by apartment communities out of their marketing budgets, never by renters. Your rent is identical whether you use us or apply directly. ### How do you get paid if renters don't pay? + Communities pay us a referral fee from their marketing budgets for finding qualified residents. That fee is part of their standard cost and never changes your rent. ### Will my rent be higher if I use your service? + No. Your rent is the same whether you use a locator or apply directly to the leasing office. We are paid by the community, not by you. ### What if I have bad credit or a prior eviction? + We match renters with communities that accept a range of screening profiles. Every property has different rules, but we know which ones are more flexible on credit history or past rental challenges, and we pre-screen you before you apply so you don't waste a fee. ### How long does this take? + The intake takes about 5 minutes. We typically send matches within 24-48 hours, depending on availability in your metro. Waitlists themselves can still be long, and we're honest about that up front. ### Do you help me get a Section 8 voucher? + No. You apply for a Housing Choice Voucher directly through your local housing authority. Once you have a voucher in hand, we find communities that accept it and coordinate your applications. ![](/images/misc/texas-income-restricted-apartment-community-family.webp) Free · No Application Fees Wasted ## Ready for a Match? Five-minute intake. Free, licensed team. Matches in 24-48 hours. Start My Free Match [/contact/ →](/contact/) See Programs [/lihtc-apartments/ →](/lihtc-apartments/)