Key Takeaway: At eXp Realty, referral agents use a centralized, compliant referral tool to send clients anywhere in the world, lock in referral fees upfront, and with referral fees processed through the brokerage at closing, without managing transactions or chasing paperwork.
TL;DR About Being a Referral Agent at eXp Realty
- A dedicated Referral Division exists for referral-only agents
- Referral agents earn income by connecting clients with other agents
- eXp Realty provides a built-in, compliant referral tool
- Referrals can be sent across all 50 states and 28+ countries
- Agreements are digitally signed and tracked centrally
- Payments are handled automatically at closing
Many agents want to stay active in real estate without handling showings, inspections, negotiations, and transaction chaos. At most brokerages, referral income is informal, manual, and difficult to track. At eXp Realty, referrals are built into the technology platform itself.
This article explains how the Referral Agent system fits into the broader eXp Realty Technology ecosystem available to eXp agents. Here’s your handy dandy index:
Table of Contents
What is a Real Estate Referral?
First off, let’s break down what a real estate referral is. In the simplest terms, a real estate referral is when you, as an agent, connect a client with another agent who’s better suited to help them. Maybe the other agent has expertise in a specific area or they’re in a different location than you? When you refer a client to this other agent and they successfully close a deal, you earn a referral fee, usually a percentage of the commission. So, the client gets the help they need and you get a nice reward for making the agent connection. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!
Referral Example
Let me give you an example to illustrate how this works in real life. Imagine Becky, a reputable eXp real estate agent in Los Angeles. Over the years, she’s built a strong network and frequently gets inquiries from clients who are outside her service area. Becky also has a YouTube channel where she lets people know that she can help them find a realtor in all 50 states and in 24 countries.
One day, Becky gets an email from Adam, a potential client who’s looking to relocate to New York City and he wants to find an agent to help him buy a home there. Becky isn’t located in New York City but she can locate an eXp New York City agent to help Adam.
Let’s say Becky locates Mike, an eXp agent who’s a specialist in New York City. Becky reaches out to Mike, and fills him in on Adam’s situation, and Mike agrees to take on the referral in exchange for a 25% referral fee. Becky and Mike sign a referral agreement and Mike starts working with Adam. After a few weeks, Mike successfully helps Adam find the perfect home, negotiates the deal, and closes the sale.
Mike earns his commission, and in line with the agreement, Becky receives 25% of that commission as her referral fee. Not only is Adam happy with his new home, but Becky may enhance her reputation by connecting her client with a top-notch agent.
eXp Referral Tool
Now let’s show how easy and fast it is for eXp referral agents to make referrals using eXp Realty’s Referral Tool. The whole thing is so simple! You have a client with a need, you find an agent, make a deal, and get paid when the deal happens. Let’s break down those steps. Everything happens in just seconds with eXp’s Referral Tool!
Finding an Agent
There are three ways to find an agent for your client:
- Perhaps you already know one,
- Perhaps someone in your sponsor line knows one, or
- You can search in eXp Realty’s referral tool which already connects to the eXp Agent Directory.
And, don’t forget here, that eXp Realty has over 87,000 agents around the globe so finding an eXp agent is usually pretty easy!
- Just hit “Select Agent” and you’ll find an agent in no time.
- When you find an agent, call them, fill them in on the client’s needs, and agree to your referral percentage commission for a closed deal.
- Fill out the rest of the form on the referral tool, sign the agreement and exp takes care of the rest!
Different From Other Brokerages
If you’re a referral agent at another brokerage, you know this process is either not possible because you can’t provide referrals outside your location or it involves tons of time. You need to find an agent, the hard way using the internet or, if you’re lucky, a company agent directory and then learn about the agent. After that’s done, there’s lots more time expended.
Like endless time to go back and forth with the agent, track down the right forms, get all the correct parties to sign the forms, collect the forms, submit those to the right place, and then follow up with the agent to see if any deal was closed and make sure you get paid what was agreed to.
eXp Realty’s Referral Tool
But with eXp Realty’s official referral tool, everything is streamlined. First, eXp’s referral tool provides an official eXp referral form that’s compliant across all U.S. states and territories. You literally have nothing to worry about or waste time thinking about.
You can easily find an agent and auto-populate the form with the receiving agent’s name and contact information. Then you enter the other necessary details and sign the form.
Now eXp takes care of the rest. The tool sends the agreement to all parties for eSignatures including the appropriate brokers, while shielding your client’s information until the agreement is fully signed. This ensures your client’s privacy is protected, and you’ve got a legally binding agreement in place.
After the agreement is signed, the client’s information is automatically shared with the receiving agent, and all you have to do is add your referral agreement to skyslope, sit back and wait for your referral fee to come in. eXp keeps track of it all! It’s so simple!
How to Grow a Referral Business
Now that you know how easy it is to make referrals and how lucrative it can be, let’s talk about how you can get started making referrals. Here are some steps:
Step 1: Focus on the Referral Agent Business
This is an awesome opportunity to grow your real estate career and boost your reputation, and the best part? You don’t need extra licenses or courses to jump in. Once you’ve got your real estate license and you’re aligned with a brokerage, you can immediately start positioning yourself as a reliable referral agent. If you’re good at generating leads, this is where you can really shine.
Step 2: Build a Strong Referral Network
The quality of your referrals depends on the agents in your network, so build it wisely. Create a list of trusted agents with a proven track record of closing deals and delivering excellent service. Don’t just refer clients to friends: your reputation is at stake. Make sure the agents you’re referring to will get the job done. Keep your network organized in a spreadsheet or CRM so you can track your contacts easily.
Step 3: Find Prospects Needing Service Outside Your Area
Stay alert for opportunities when people mention relocating or needing real estate services you don’t provide. By being proactive, you can create a steady stream of referrals from those needing service outside your location or specialty.
And if you’re with eXp, you’ve got a bonus: eXp’s My Link My Lead platform. It helps you identify people in your sphere who are moving, investing, or looking for properties outside your area. It’s a game-changer for keeping tabs on potential referrals. We’ll break down that awesome platform in a future blog.
Step 4: Promote Your Referral Network
If you want to grow your referral business, you’ve got to make sure people know about it. Set aside time for events, conferences, and networking to expand your reach. Add your referral agent services to your website, business cards, social media profiles, and marketing materials.
Remind your clients, whether through newsletters or social media, that you can assist with transactions in other locations or even with different property types, like commercial real estate. Keep yourself at the top of their minds as their go-to referral resource.
Step 5: Use the Referral Tool
You’ve worked to find people who need real estate services that you can’t provide. Now just hit the link to the eXp Referral Tool and spend a few seconds to get that cash ball rolling!
There’s More
But here’s where it gets even better: eXp Realty has an actual Referral Division designed for agents who want to focus only on referral income. No MLS fees, no local board dues, no stress. You stay licensed with eXp, keep your branding, and send referrals through the official system just like every other agent—but without the day-to-day hustle of listings and buyers.
That means:
- You can keep your license active and productive without running a traditional business
- You still earn commission splits (typically 25%–35%) from closed deals you referred
- You skip the typical overhead and transaction responsibilities full-service agents take on
Whether you’re semi-retired, pivoting careers, managing a side hustle, or just want to monetize your network, the eXp Referral Division is built for exactly that.
What Agents Also Ask About Referral Agents
Is being a referral agent a full-time or part-time role?
Being a referral agent can function as either. Some agents use referrals as supplemental income alongside active production, while others operate full time through referrals only. At eXp Realty, both models are supported through the same referral technology and optional Referral Division.
How does eXp’s referral system compare to informal referral agreements?
Informal referrals rely on trust and manual follow-up. eXp’s referral system formalizes the process with digital agreements, broker oversight, and automated payment tracking. This reduces disputes, ensures compliance, and removes the need for agents to monitor closings themselves.
Who is referral agent work best suited for?
Referral agent work is well suited for agents with strong networks, relocation-heavy spheres, or niche audiences. It also appeals to semi-retired agents, career pivoters, and those who prefer relationship management over transaction execution.
Why This Matters Before You Join eXp Realty
eXp Realty technology is designed to address agent use cases like referrals, compliance, and payment tracking, but it does not operate in isolation or replace the broader brokerage experience.
At eXp Realty, all agents receive the same core brokerage platform, including compliance, compensation, and access to company divisions. What differs is the sponsor ecosystem an agent aligns with.
Agents who join eXp Realty and name a Smart Agent Alliance (SAA) aligned agent as sponsor gain access to organized sponsor infrastructure designed to preserve long-term optionality. This access includes done-for-you systems made available without cost or obligation.
Smart Agent Alliance is directly aligned with the Wolf Pack, one of eXp Realty’s most established sponsor organizations. Through this alignment, agents gain access to Wolf Pack training resources that are otherwise available for purchase, along with participation in the Wolf Pack community, without additional fees.
Full details are available on the Smart Agent Alliance eXp Realty sponsor page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an active real estate license to be a referral agent?
Yes. Referral agents must hold an active real estate license. At eXp Realty, licensed agents can send referrals through the platform and earn commissions without managing transactions, provided they remain in good standing with the brokerage.
Can referral agents send referrals across state or national borders?
Yes. eXp Realty operates in all 50 U.S. states and more than 27 countries. The referral tool supports domestic and international referrals, allowing agents to route clients globally while maintaining compliant agreements.
How are referral fees paid at eXp Realty?
Referral fees are paid automatically at closing based on the executed referral agreement. eXp tracks the transaction internally, applies the agreed percentage, and distributes the referral fee without the referring agent needing to invoice or follow up.
Is the Referral Division mandatory to send referrals?
No. Any active eXp Realty agent can send referrals using the referral tool. The Referral Division is optional and designed only for agents who want to operate exclusively as referral agents with reduced fees and no MLS participation.
Are referral agreements compliant across states?
Yes. eXp’s referral forms are designed to be compliant across U.S. states and routed through appropriate brokers for approval. This reduces legal risk compared to ad hoc or manually drafted referral agreements.
