Why put my Georgia Real Estate license under a Real Estate Referral Company?

Jeremy Weinberg
2 hours ago
4 min read

For many real estate professionals in Georgia, the biggest question after getting licensed is: what should I do with my license if I’m not working in real estate full-time? Some agents jump in as active REALTORS®, paying Board of Realtors and MLS fees, while others look for more flexible, low-cost options. One increasingly popular choice is placing a license under a real estate referral company.

If you’ve wondered whether this path is right for you, let’s break down how referral companies work, who they’re best for, and why so many Georgia licensees are making the switch.

What is a Real Estate Referral Company?

A Georgia real estate referral company is designed for licensed agents who don’t want the high costs or daily responsibilities of being a full-time REALTOR®. Instead of listing properties, driving clients around, and managing transactions, referral agents simply connect buyers and sellers with active agents who are members of the MLS.

Here’s how it works:

You refer a client to a trusted full-time REALTOR®.
That REALTOR® closes the transaction.
Their brokerage pays a referral fee to the referral company.
The referral company pays a portion of that fee back to you as the referring agent.

At Park Place Realty Network, our Georgia agents earn 22.5% of the total commission for each successful referral — whether it’s residential, commercial, or business brokerage. And you can refer clients not just in Georgia, but anywhere in the U.S. and internationally.

Who Should Consider a Referral Company?

The referral model isn’t for everyone. If you’re actively selling and want to build a full-time career in real estate, it makes sense to join your local Realtor and MLS associations and stay fully active. Those memberships provide access to the MLS, networking opportunities, and tools for working directly with buyers and sellers.

But for many agents, especially the 20,000+ licensees in Georgia who are currently inactive, referral companies offer the perfect balance of keeping your license active without unnecessary expenses.

Referral companies are ideal if you:

Work another full-time job but don’t want to give up your license.

Are retired but still want to earn income when real estate opportunities come your way.

Don’t have the time or desire to manage transactions, but still meet people who need an agent.

Want to avoid costly annual Realtor and MLS fees (often $1,500+).

By choosing this path, you can keep your license working for you without the pressure of running a traditional real estate business.

Why put my Georgia Real Estate license under a Real Estate Referral Company?

Let’s compare the numbers.

Going the Traditional REALTOR® Route

Annual Board of Realtors + MLS dues: $1,200–$1,500 (on average).

Brokerage split: Often 20% to your broker, leaving you with about 80% of the commission.

Transaction costs: Gas, car expenses, marketing, and countless hours managing clients and paperwork.

If you’re selling full-time, these costs can be worth it. But if you’re only closing one or two deals a year, your net income could shrink quickly after fees and expenses.

Going the Referral Company Route

No Board of Realtors or MLS dues.
No transaction costs.
No time commitment beyond making the referral.
Earn 22.5% of the total commission on each deal you refer.

For example, let’s say you refer a buyer to an active REALTOR® who purchases a $400,000 home. If the total commission is 3%, that’s $12,000. As a Park Place referral agent, you’d earn $2,700 — without ever attending a showing or negotiating a contract.

Flexibility to Refer Anywhere

One of the most powerful benefits of joining a referral company is that you aren’t limited to your local market. At Park Place Realty Network, our Georgia agents can refer clients:

Across the U.S. – from Atlanta to Los Angeles, New York, or anywhere in between.
Internationally – helping friends or family buy or sell abroad.
Across property types – not just residential, but also commercial real estate and business brokerage.

This flexibility means your license can earn you income no matter where opportunities arise.

Additional Perks of Joining Park Place

At Park Place Realty Network, we go beyond the basics of a referral company. Here’s what sets us apart:

High Referral Payouts – Our agents receive 22.5% of the total commission per transaction, among the most competitive in the industry.

Free Personalized Webpage – Promote yourself online with a Park Place-branded page. View a sample of your webpage here.

40% Discount on CE & Professional Development – Thanks to our partnership with The CE Shop, you can save on your required continuing education and keep your license in good standing at a lower cost.

Global Reach – Access our network of top agents worldwide, ensuring your referrals are always handled by experienced professionals.

These perks make it easy for referral agents to stay connected to the industry while enjoying low overhead and maximum flexibility.

Don’t Let Your Georgia License Go Inactive

You worked hard to earn your Georgia real estate license — don’t let it sit inactive or expire. Even if you aren’t ready to pursue real estate full-time, your license has real value. By hanging it with a referral company, you can:

Keep your license active.
Avoid unnecessary fees.
Earn income whenever opportunities come your way.
Stay connected to the real estate industry without full-time pressure.

At Park Place Realty Network, we’re proud to be Georgia’s leading real estate referral company, helping hundreds of agents keep their licenses active and profitable.

Final Thoughts

If you’re questioning whether to join the Board of Realtors and MLS or place your license with a referral company, the answer depends on your goals.

If you’re ready to sell full-time and want full access to the MLS, then being an active REALTOR® is the right choice.

But if you’re working another career, retired, or simply don’t want the expense and stress of full-time real estate, then a referral company offers a smarter path.

With Park Place Realty Network, you can turn every connection into potential income — without the heavy costs of traditional real estate.