Georgia Real Estate Agents Pay Nothing to the Board or MLS
- Jeremy Weinberg
- Oct 30
- 5 min read
Many Georgia real estate agents find themselves asking the same question: “Can I keep my license active without having to pay dues to the local Board of Realtors or MLS?”
The short answer is yes—but with a few important details. While you can’t sell real estate directly without Board and MLS membership, you can still keep your Georgia real estate license active and earn income through referrals without paying these fees.
If you’re a full-time real estate professional who wants to avoid the cost of Board and MLS dues while still earning money from your network, Park Place Realty Network offers a program that allows you to do exactly that.
Let’s take a closer look at how this works, what it means for your real estate license, and how you can continue to benefit from your hard-earned license without the ongoing expense of association fees.
Understanding Why Real Estate Agents Pay the Board and MLS
When an agent works in traditional residential sales, joining the local Board of Realtors and MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is often required. These memberships allow agents to:
Access MLS property listings and market data
List their own properties for sale
Network with other Realtors
Use the Realtor® designation, a trademarked term by the National Association of Realtors (NAR)
However, these memberships also come with ongoing costs. Most Georgia boards require agents to pay annual dues to the Board of Realtors, MLS fees, and sometimes additional association charges. These expenses can total hundreds or even thousands of dollars every year.
For agents who aren’t actively selling or who are shifting their business model, those fees can be an unnecessary burden.
That’s why many Georgia agents look for alternatives that allow them to keep their license active while avoiding those recurring costs.
What Happens If You Want to Pay Nothing to the Board or MLS
If you’ve decided you no longer want to sell real estate full-time or simply want to pause active sales for a while, there’s good news: you can place your license with a licensed real estate referral company like Park Place Realty Network.
When your license is placed with a referral brokerage, you’re not required to join the Board of Realtors or MLS. This is because referral-only brokerages are not members of these organizations.
That means you can pay nothing to the Board or MLS and still maintain an active real estate license in Georgia.
Why This Works
In Georgia, the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) requires that your license be held under a brokerage in order to receive any commissions. However, it doesn’t require that the brokerage be a member of the Board of Realtors or MLS.
A referral brokerage—like Park Place—is licensed just like any traditional brokerage, but its agents do not engage in listing or selling property directly. Instead, referral agents refer clients to active agents who are members of the Board and MLS.
This structure allows you to keep your license active, remain compliant with GREC, and continue earning income through referral fees—all without paying the Board or MLS.
How You Can Still Earn Income as a Referral Agent
When your license is active under a referral company, you can refer real estate clients anywhere in Georgia—or even across the country.
Here’s how the process works:
You identify someone who needs a real estate agent (to buy or sell a home).
You submit a referral to Park Place Realty Network through our referral form.
We connect your client with a qualified, full-time agent who is active in that local market.
That agent closes the deal, and once it’s complete, your broker receives a referral fee (often around 30-25% of the commission).
You get paid your portion of that referral fee through your broker.
You never have to show homes, negotiate contracts, or join the Board or MLS. You simply use your network and industry knowledge to match clients with great agents—and earn income every time one of those referrals closes.
The Benefits of Paying Nothing to the Board or MLS
Switching to a referral-only model comes with several clear advantages:
1. No Expensive Board or MLS Fees
Traditional agents pay hundreds or thousands per year to access the MLS and maintain Board membership. Referral agents skip those costs entirely.
2. Keep Your License Active
Instead of letting your license lapse or go inactive, placing it with a licensed referral company keeps it active with the Georgia Real Estate Commission.
3. Earn Money with Less Work
Referral agents don’t handle listings, showings, or closings. You simply refer clients to active agents and collect referral income once the transaction closes.
4. Stay Connected to the Industry
Even if you’re stepping back from full-time sales, you remain part of the real estate community and maintain your professional status.
5. Flexibility
You decide how involved you want to be. Some agents use referrals as supplemental income while focusing on other careers, while full-time agents use it to monetize leads outside their area.
Who This Option Is Best For
This model isn’t right for everyone, but it’s an excellent fit for several types of agents, including:
Full-time agents who frequently receive leads outside their local market.
Part-time or retired agents who want to keep their license active without the ongoing costs.
Agents taking a break from traditional sales but who still want to earn from their network.
Brokers or team leaders who refer clients in other cities or states.
If you fall into one of these categories, referring through Park Place can be a simple, cost-effective way to keep your license active and generate income.
How to Get Started
Getting started is simple. Once you transfer your license to Park Place Realty Network, we’ll handle the setup and provide access to your referral submission portal.
To begin:
Fill out our contract and pay our annual $125 fee.
We will handle everything with GREC in order to make your license active under Park Place Realty Network.
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Why Park Place Realty Network Is Different
At Park Place, we specialize exclusively in referral business. Our network includes agents across the U.S., so you can confidently refer clients anywhere.
We handle the matching process, follow-up, and transaction tracking—so you don’t have to. Your clients get the support of a professional, full-time Realtor, and you earn a referral fee once the deal closes.
It’s a simple, hands-off way to keep your Georgia real estate license active and profitable—without the expense of Board or MLS memberships.
Keep Your License Active and Pay Nothing to the Board or MLS
If you’re a Georgia real estate agent who wants to pay nothing to the Board or MLS, transferring your license to a referral company is the ideal solution. You’ll stay compliant with the Georgia Real Estate Commission, avoid unnecessary costs, and continue to earn income through referrals—all without managing listings or paying annual dues.
With Park Place Realty Network, full-time and part-time agents alike can take advantage of a program designed to make your license work for you, not the other way around.
