How to Switch Georgia Real Estate Companies: What Every Agent Should Know

Changing brokerages is a normal part of a real estate career, whether you’re seeking better support, lower fees, a different culture, or a company that aligns better with your long-term goals. In Georgia, the process is straightforward—as long as you understand how the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) handles license transfers and what steps your old and new brokerages must take.

For many agents, especially those who are not actively selling, switching companies is also an opportunity to explore alternative ways to keep their license active without the high cost of local REALTOR® associations or MLS dues. This is where Park Place Realty Network offers a unique option for agents who want to remain licensed and earn income through referrals without the obligations of traditional production.

Before exploring that program, let’s walk through exactly how the transfer process works.

How to Switch Georgia Real Estate Companies

If you are planning to switch Georgia real estate companies, the most important thing to understand is that your current broker must release your license first. A new brokerage cannot activate your license until the previous brokerage has formally removed you from their records through the Georgia Real Estate Commission.

Here’s how the process works step by step.

1. Your Current Broker Must Remove Your License with GREC

In Georgia, brokers have two primary ways to release your license:(1) through GREC’s online portal, or (2) by submitting a physical form. The method your broker uses will determine how quickly your license is released.

The Online Portal Method

This is by far the fastest and most efficient option. Most Georgia real estate companies now use GREC’s online system, which allows a broker to release your license within minutes. Once they complete that step, your license immediately becomes inactive. At that point, your new brokerage can activate you almost instantly.

The entire transfer can take place within the same day or within 24 hours, depending on when each party submits their request. GREC encourages brokers to make these updates in a timely manner, and most modern brokerages handle it promptly.

The Old-Fashioned Paper Method

Some brokerages—usually smaller, older, or less tech-integrated offices—may still use the traditional paper form. This requires:

1. The agent to fill out the designated form.

   
   

2. The broker to sign it.

   
   

3. The form to be emailed or mailed to GREC.

This older method can take days or even weeks, depending on GREC’s processing times and how quickly the broker sends the paperwork. Because of the delays, most agents strongly prefer to work with brokerages that use the online portal.

If you need the transfer done quickly, it is completely acceptable to ask your current broker whether they use the online system. Most do.

2. Your New Brokerage Activates Your License

Once your license becomes inactive, your new brokerage can immediately request activation. If they also use the online portal (which most do), they can bring you on board in minutes.

A typical license transfer timeline looks like this:

• Online release + online activation: Same day

• Paper release + online activation: A few days to a few weeks

• Paper release + paper activation: Slowest option

The majority of agents in Georgia now experience same-day or next-day transfers because most companies utilize the online system.

Why Many Georgia Agents Consider Alternative Brokerage Options

Not every agent wants or needs to stay with a traditional brokerage. Many agents:

• Work full-time in another profession

• Are retired

• Don’t actively sell real estate

• Only want to help friends and family when opportunities arise

• Want to avoid the cost of MLS dues, association fees, or office fees

• Prefer passive income through referrals rather than sales

If this sounds like your situation, then switching Georgia real estate companies might be a chance to choose a brokerage model that better matches your lifestyle and income goals.

That’s exactly what Park Place Realty Network was designed for.

An Alternative Path: Activate Your License with Park Place Realty Network

Park Place Realty Network is a national real estate referral brokerage structured specifically for agents who are not actively selling. We provide a hassle-free way for Georgia licensees to keep their license active while earning income through referrals—without MLS fees, REALTOR® dues, or local board requirements.

If you have a Georgia real estate license but do not want the responsibilities and expenses of traditional sales, our program may be a strong fit.

Here is how it works:

1. You Activate Your License with Park Place Realty Network

Once your current Georgia broker releases your license through GREC, we activate your license with us. Because we do not require MLS or REALTOR® membership, your annual costs remain extremely low compared to traditional brokerages.

2. You Refer Clients to Top Agents Worldwide

Anytime you know someone looking to buy or sell residential or commercial real estate—anywhere in the world—you simply submit the referral through our system. That includes:

• All U.S. states

• International locations

• Residential, commercial, or business brokerage

We match your referral with a vetted, professional agent through our network.

3. You Earn 22.5% of the Total Commission as a Referral Fee

Once the transaction closes, you receive 22.5% of the total commission as your referral payment. For example:

• A $500,000 sale

• 3% commission = $15,000 total commission

• Your referral fee at 22.5% = $3,375

And there is no limit to how many referrals you can send.

This is a passive income model that works well for:

• Teachers

• Nurses

• Business owners

• Attorneys

• Retired agents

• Stay-at-home parents

• Anyone who wants to earn extra income without selling homes directly

You stay licensed and active—but without the cost and time commitment of production.

When Switching Companies Makes the Most Sense

Many Georgia agents switch brokerages for reasons like:

• High monthly or annual fees

• Lack of support

• Wanting to step back from production

• Relocation to another state

• Taking another full-time job

• Wanting a referral-only career

• Wanting a stress-free, low-commitment brokerage model

If you’re not actively selling, switching to a referral brokerage like Park Place Realty Network removes the financial burden of traditional real estate fees while still allowing you to profit from your license.

Final Thoughts

Switching Georgia real estate companies is a simple process when both brokerages use GREC’s online portal. Most transfers can be completed in less than a day. If your current broker uses paper forms, the process may take longer, but it remains straightforward.

If you’re an agent who no longer sells full-time or wants a simpler, more flexible way to earn income through your license, Park Place Realty Network offers a powerful alternative. You can keep your Georgia license active, avoid expensive dues, and earn 22.5% referral fees on residential or commercial transactions anywhere in the world.

*Author bio: John McMann is a seasoned real estate professional with over 30 years of industry experience, specializing in market insights, property trends, and investment strategies. His articles provide expert guidance for both new and experienced real estate professionals.