It was a referral and I am in no way affiliated with them.  

Adam M. that's great, that's your first third party affiliate Referral fees are paid to licensed realtors who do not want to do property management, for instance you could give them $500 for a new account that signs a new full service management.

And if you're wondering, I am not affiliated with Fortune Builders in anyway.

No affiliation with them. 

I, my company or my affiliates are in no way or form operating outside of the NYC regulations.

Here, only licensees are allowed access accounts, there are affiliate members like title folks, appraisers and others showing a need. 

In my state, once you pass your test to become a Realtor you have a certain time to affiliate with a Broker. 

Disclaimer: not affiliated with the site, I just use it for rough numbers

In my market in the residential space it is very hard to find a brokerage that is not affiliated with NAR but there are many agents out there who are not affiliated with NAR.About 2 Million agents in the U.S.

actually if what you say is true it could be a respa violation, affiliate business associates have to be disclosed, it could imply kick back arrangements, big fines