Realtor Referral Fees in Florida: Who Pays, How Much, and Through Whom

By Brian Wilder and Lucy Lopez. Wilder Real Estate Group at Keller Williams Realty.

Industry sources put the typical realtor referral fee near 25% of the commission on the referred side, and a large majority of fees fall between 20% and 35% [4]. In Florida the money runs from brokerage to brokerage, and it can only go to someone who is properly licensed [1][2]. Brian's own terms follow.

20-25% referral fee depending on the deal, paid broker to broker at closing.

What happens after you send a client

1. Signed referral agreement first. The broker-to-broker agreement is in place before any client work starts.
2. Same-day introduction. Brian contacts your client the same day, by phone.
3. Milestone updates to you. First contact made, under contract, closed.
4. Your relationship stays yours. You remain your client's agent of record for the relationship, and Brian handles the Florida side.
5. Fee paid broker to broker at closing. 20-25% referral fee depending on the deal, paid broker to broker at closing.

By the numbers (as of Nov 10, 2026)

• 25%: the typical industry referral share, one-quarter of the commission on the referred side (Consumer Federation of America, Sep 2020 [4]; TREM Group, page updated Sep 14, 2026 [6]).
• 20% to 35%: where a large majority of referral fees fall (Consumer Federation of America, Sep 2020 [4]).
• 25% to 40%: offers reported in HousingWire's 2026 referral fee guide, with 25% the most common rate [5].
• $2,250: one-quarter of a $9,000 commission, which is 3% of a $300,000 sale (Consumer Federation of America's worked example [4]).
• $3,750: a 25% fee on a $15,000 buy-side commission, which is 2.5% of a $600,000 purchase (TREM Group's example [6]).
• About three-quarters: the share of agents in a 2017 ReferralExchange survey who said they expect 25% when they refer a client out. This is a dated figure from 2017 [7].

What is a realtor referral fee?

It is money one licensed broker pays another for introducing a client who then closes a transaction [6]. The referring agent hands over the relationship, the receiving agent does the work, and the fee comes out of the receiving side's commission at closing [6].

Who pays the referral fee, and when?

The receiving agent's brokerage pays it, out of the commission that brokerage collects at closing [6]. If the deal never closes, there is no commission to share. Because the money moves between brokers, both brokerages should know the terms before the client is introduced.

How much is a typical referral fee in Florida?

Industry sources put the typical share near 25% of the commission on the referred side. Brian's own referral terms: 20-25% referral fee depending on the deal, paid broker to broker at closing. The Consumer Federation of America calls one-quarter the "standard" and found a large majority of fees between 20% and 35% [4]. TREM Group's 2026 guide says the same range and points out that relocation companies often charge more, around 35% to 40% [6].

Florida's statutes do not set a percentage. Neither section 475.25 nor section 475.42, as read on Nov 10, 2026, names a number [1][2]. So the fee is whatever the two brokers agree to in writing.

Here is the math on a small deal. A 3% commission on a $300,000 sale is $9,000. One-quarter of that is $2,250 [4]. On TREM Group's example, a $600,000 purchase with a 2.5% buy-side commission is $15,000, and a 25% fee is $3,750 [6].

Is your client selling a home in Florida? Start with what has to happen after it sells.

TREM Group warns that a one-transaction agreement leaves a sale commission on the table if the referred buyer also lists a current home with the receiving agent [6]. If your client owns a home to sell, say so in the details. Read the Stress-Free Sale guide and request a free home valuation, or book a 15-minute seller call with Brian.

Can the fee go directly to the referring associate?

No. A Florida sales associate may not collect money in a real estate brokerage transaction, whether as a commission, a deposit or otherwise, except in the name of the employer and with the employer's express consent [2].

Florida Realtors' associate general counsel explained it this way in Nov 2023: if you are a sales associate or broker associate, you cannot collect the fee directly, and it has to run through your brokerage [3]. She also noted that some national referral models pay associates directly, which may be acceptable in other states but is not in Florida [3]. A brokerage can pay an associate through a professional corporation, P.A., LLC or PLLC, but it must be in the associate's licensed name only [3].

Can a Florida licensee pay a referral fee to someone who is not licensed?

No. Section 475.25(1)(h) makes it grounds for discipline to share a commission with, or pay a fee or other compensation to, a person not properly licensed as a broker, broker associate or sales associate under Florida law, for the referral of real estate business, clients, prospects or customers [1]. The statute says it does not matter whether the referral was made from within Florida or somewhere else [1].

Section 475.42(1)(e) also says a person may not commit that conduct, and section 475.42(2) makes a violation a misdemeanor of the second degree [2]. Check anyone you plan to pay with the Florida DBPR license lookup [8].

What if the referring agent is licensed in another state?

There is a specific exception. A licensed Florida broker may pay a referral fee or share a real estate brokerage commission with a broker licensed or registered under the laws of another state, as long as that broker does not violate any law of Florida [1].

Notice the word broker. If you hold a license in another state as an associate, the fee goes to your brokerage and your brokerage pays you [2][3][6]. This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the details with your broker or an attorney.

How do I put the fee in writing?

Do it before you hand over the client's contact information. TREM Group says a solid referral agreement fits on two pages and covers seven points [6]:

1. The parties: both brokerages by name and license number, plus the referring and receiving agents.
2. The client: who is being referred, and whether they are buying, selling or both.
3. The fee: a percentage of the commission on the referred side, stated plainly.
4. The scope: one transaction, or every transaction the client closes with the receiving agent in a set window.
5. The term: an expiration date.
6. Payment timing: due at closing, or within a set number of days after the receiving brokerage collects its commission.
7. Signatures: both brokers, not just the agents [6].

Frequently asked questions

Have a client moving to South Florida? Call first.

Brian takes referrals in four counties: Palm Beach, Broward, Martin and St. Lucie. If your client is comparing counties, see the relocation realtor page.

Does your client own a home to sell? Tell me about it before they list.

Book a 15-minute seller call with Brian. More about Brian is on the about page.

Call or text Brian at 561-201-4717. I answer my phone. If I miss you, I'll get back to you within an hour or two.

1,500+ homes sold. Investing in Palm Beach County real estate since 1996, licensed agent since 1998.

Sources

1. Florida Statutes s. 475.25, Discipline (2026 Florida Statutes): leg.state.fl.us (accessed 2026-11-10)
2. Florida Statutes s. 475.42, Violations and penalties (2025 Florida Statutes): flsenate.gov (accessed 2026-11-10)
3. Florida Realtors, Making Referral Money? Fla. Law Oversees How It's Done (Nov 30, 2023): floridarealtors.org (accessed 2026-11-10)
4. Consumer Federation of America, Real Estate Referral Fees: Do They Harm Consumers? (Sep 2020): consumerpolicy.org (accessed 2026-11-10)
5. HousingWire, Real Estate Referral Fees: The Ultimate Guide for 2026: housingwire.com (accessed 2026-11-10)
6. TREM Group, Real Estate Referral Fees: State-by-State Guide (page shows Last updated Sep 14, 2026): tremgroup.com (accessed 2026-11-10)
7. ReferralExchange, The Agent-to-Agent Referral Economy (2017 report, dated): referralexchange.com (accessed 2026-11-10)
8. Florida DBPR, license lookup (verify any licensee): myfloridalicense.com (accessed 2026-11-10)
9. Chief of Staff proof sheet, tab 'Publishable proof lines' (closed-sales lines, verified public sales or county record, read Nov 10, 2026): Publishable proof lines