Referral fees

by Jim Duncan on February 6, 2005

Did you know that companies such as USAA, Century 21, basically all of the companies owned by Cendant charge referral fees when they refer a buyer or seller to me/my company? Now they are charging a 35% fee!

Take, for example, a $200k listing and assume that the listing agent negotiated a 3% commission. The commission to the listing company therefore would be $6000 minus the referral fee of $2100, bringing the commission to the company to $3900. Then, consider the agent’s split with the company, often a 50-50 split. So, the agent would get $1950, minus various corporate fees, marketing costs, fuel, etc. bringing the final cut to approximately $1200! Real estate may not be the most lucrative career now, does it? Don’t forget the taxes that must be paid quarterly!

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