This article explains how referral fees are handled at Easy Realty, what documents are required, and how referral commissions are paid.
Referral fees are broker‑to‑broker transactions.
They are never agent‑to‑agent transactions.
Understanding this upfront prevents payment delays and compliance issues.
What a Referral Fee Is
A referral fee is compensation paid from one brokerage to another for referring a client.
Even when a single agent is involved, the referral relationship exists between brokers, not between agents.
Because of this, referral fees must follow stricter documentation and payment rules.
Referral Fees Are Always Broker‑to‑Broker
Referral fees:
- Are earned by the brokerage
- Are paid to the brokerage
- Are disbursed to agents by the brokerage
Agents may never collect referral fees directly.
Required Documents for Referral Fee Disbursement
To process a referral fee, Easy Realty must receive clear documentation showing:
- The referring brokerage
- The receiving brokerage
- The agreed‑upon referral percentage or amount
- The transaction the referral applies to
At a minimum, you must submit:
- A fully executed referral agreement
- A completed Referral Fee Disbursement Authorization, if applicable
- Transaction documents supporting the commission
Unsigned or informal agreements cannot be used.
How Referral Fees Are Paid
Referral fees may be handled in one of two ways:
- At closing, via CDA, with the referral fee sent to Easy Realty
- Outside of closing, with the paying broker issuing funds directly to Easy Realty
In both scenarios:
- Easy Realty receives the funds
- Easy Realty disburses the agent’s portion by ACH
Common Referral Fee Scenarios
Referral fees commonly arise in:
- Out‑of‑area referrals
- Agent‑to‑agent referrals across brokerages
- Teams or relocation‑style referrals
Regardless of scenario, the payment flow does not change.
All funds must pass through the broker.
What Causes Referral Fee Delays
Most referral payment delays are caused by:
- Missing or unsigned referral agreements
- Referral terms that do not match the commission shown on closing documents
- Assuming the other broker will “just send the agent a check”
- Not submitting referral documentation with the CDA
If referral documentation is incomplete, payment cannot be released.
Rentals and Referral Fees
Referral fees sometimes appear in rental transactions.
Because rental payments are often issued by:
- Property owners
- Management companies
- Other brokers
Referral funds must still be paid to Easy Realty and redistributed by the brokerage.
Agents may never receive referral payments directly, even for rentals.
A Simple Rule of Thumb
If a referral fee exists:
- It must be documented
- It must be broker‑to‑broker
- It must be paid to Easy Realty
There are no exceptions.
Related Resources
- How to Request a CDA (Commission Disbursement Authorization)
- What Documents We Need to Process Your CDA
- Why Agents May Never Receive Commission Payments Directly
- How Support Requests Work at Easy Realty
