Studying for agent exam, and have some questions about referrals

Studying for agent exam, and have some questions about referrals

Specialist · fremont, NE · Member since 2014 · 161 posts · 42 votes

Hi all! I've decided to go for my agent license, and have been plugging away at my study guide, the guide tests, and a few other resources online. I went through the ethics section the other day, and that got me to thinking about agent referrals. I understand how an agent can refer a buyer/seller to another agent (especially for a client moving to another state). I have two referral scenarios, that I was wondering if an agent can refer to another agent, and if so, can the agent receiving the referral offer  the agent who provided the referral compensation.

If a lender offers referral fees, can an agent refer to another agent the borrower? Then, when the lender gives a referral fee to the agent, if the agent receiving the fee can split it with the agent who referred the borrower?

Second scenario is almost the same as above. The difference is that instead of a lender and borrower, the scenario is a vendor that helps schools, churches, and other NPOs fundraise, and an organization: agent refers NPO to agent who is affiliated with vendor, vendor offers referral fee to agent, agent splits referral fee to agent that referred the nonprofit.

Is there anything--legally or ethically--that would prevent agents from doing these, or can it be done, without any issues?

Thanks!

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  • Real Estate Broker · 3412 S. Harlem Avenue Riverside, IL 60546 · Member since 2015 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y

    @Eddie Starr at least here in Illinois you cannot do referrals with non licensees. This means that all of the above scenarios are invalid. I would focus more on building relationships with other agents and helping them solve their problems. I LOVE referral business and have done about 35% of my listing business from broker to broker referrals here in the Chicago area. I work a lot with agents who focus on commercial. I can send them clients and they can send me residential clients that don't fit their model. This allows everyone to make more money with less work since we can focus on our individual niches. 

  • Specialist · fremont, NE · Member since 2014 · 161 posts · 42 votes
    4y
    @John Warren

    As I said, I'm taking some prep-work (via KW) to get my license. I thought I had made it clear that once I got my license, this was what I was looking at. So, am I correct in understanding that once I've my license, I can do the above?
  • Crystal SmithPro Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y
    Originally posted by @Eddie Starr:

    Hi all! I've decided to go for my agent license, and have been plugging away at my study guide, the guide tests, and a few other resources online. I went through the ethics section the other day, and that got me to thinking about agent referrals. I understand how an agent can refer a buyer/seller to another agent (especially for a client moving to another state). I have two referral scenarios, that I was wondering if an agent can refer to another agent, and if so, can the agent receiving the referral offer  the agent who provided the referral compensation.

    If a lender offers referral fees, can an agent refer to another agent the borrower? Then, when the lender gives a referral fee to the agent, if the agent receiving the fee can split it with the agent who referred the borrower?

    Second scenario is almost the same as above. The difference is that instead of a lender and borrower, the scenario is a vendor that helps schools, churches, and other NPOs fundraise, and an organization: agent refers NPO to agent who is affiliated with vendor, vendor offers referral fee to agent, agent splits referral fee to agent that referred the nonprofit.

    Is there anything--legally or ethically--that would prevent agents from doing these, or can it be done, without any issues?

    Thanks!

    You can't as an agent accept or pay referral fee to an unlicensed person. 

  • Lucas MartinezBusiness Member
    Developer · Santa Barbara, CA · Member since 2021 · 81 posts · 48 votes
    4y

    @Eddie Starr

    Definitely illegal to have lenders give you kickbacks/referrals. Very big no no.

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