- Use brokerage-approved paperwork, not a random downloaded form.
- Define the client, transaction scope, fee calculation, expiration, and payment timing.
- Keep a conversation record beside the signed agreement.
01Start with the right form
This guide is a checklist, not legal advice or a substitute for your brokerage's required agreement. Real estate referral paperwork may be controlled by brokerage policy, association forms, MLS rules, state law, federal rules, and counsel guidance.
The practical move is simple: use your brokerage-approved referral agreement, then make sure the business terms inside it are complete.
02Core fields every referral agreement should address
The agreement should make it obvious who is involved, what opportunity is covered, what compensation applies, and when the obligation ends. If a future reviewer has to infer the answer, the agreement is probably too vague.
- Referring agent and brokerage.
- Receiving agent and brokerage.
- Client or lead covered by the referral.
- Market, transaction type, and property scope.
- Referral percentage or fee calculation.
- Expiration date or protection period.
- Payment timing and closing conditions.
- Required signatures and brokerage approvals.
03Terms that prevent future disputes
The most useful agreements answer edge cases before they happen. What if the client buys a different property? What if the client sells later? What if the receiving agent changes brokerages? What if the client pauses for six months?
Not every referral needs a complicated agreement, but any material uncertainty should be handled before the client handoff.
04Why the conversation record still matters
A signed agreement is the legal and brokerage record. The surrounding conversation is the practical record: why this agent was chosen, what the client needed, what timing was discussed, and what happened after selection.
Refera keeps that context next to the listing and deal room so both agents are not forced to reconstruct the referral from scattered texts or emails.
05Frequently asked questions
Can I use a generic referral agreement template?
You should use brokerage-approved paperwork whenever required. Generic templates can miss state, brokerage, association, MLS, or transaction-specific requirements.
What is a protection period?
A protection period is the time window during which a referred client transaction may trigger the referral fee. The agreement should define it clearly.
Does Refera replace a referral agreement?
No. Refera keeps the listing, conversation, and outcome record. Agents should still use required brokerage or legal referral paperwork.