Alternative to RE/MAX

RE/MAX is a global real estate franchise known for its agent-centric business model — but it does not operate a dedicated referral company or referral division. If you’re a RE/MAX agent looking to step back from active sales while keeping your license active, you need an alternative brokerage that specializes in referrals.

General Referral provides that alternative. Instead of paying RE/MAX’s overhead costs (monthly desk fees, franchise fees, and commission splits) to maintain your license for the occasional referral, you can transfer to General Referral and pay just $99–$119/year with a flat $295 per-transaction fee.

Why RE/MAX Agents Switch to General Referral

Consideration	Staying at RE/MAX	Switching to General Referral
Monthly/Annual Cost	Varies — desk fees ($500–$2,000+/month), franchise fees	$99–$119/year total
Commission on Referrals	Typically 95% (after desk fees/franchise fees)	100% (less $295 flat fee)
Referral Restrictions	Typically within RE/MAX network	None — refer to any agent, any brokerage
Technology	Varies by office	Online referral portal
E&O Insurance	Required	Not required
MLS/Association Dues	Required	Not required
Overhead	Full agent overhead (desk fees are the big cost)	Referral-only — minimal overhead

The Cost of Staying as a Full-Service Agent

RE/MAX is known for high desk fees — often $500 to $2,000+ per month depending on the office. While RE/MAX agents typically keep a larger share of their commission, the fixed monthly costs make it extremely expensive to maintain your license just for occasional referrals.

General Referral eliminates that overhead entirely. You keep your license active, earn referral income, and pay $99–$119/year instead of thousands per month.

Commission Comparison

On a $500,000 home sale with 3% commission and 25% referral fee ($3,750):

General Referral take-home: $3,455 (100% less $295 flat fee)
At RE/MAX: Varies — may keep 95%+ of the referral fee, but monthly desk fees and franchise fees eat into the net

For agents making only a few referrals per year, the desk fees alone at RE/MAX can exceed total referral income. General Referral’s $99–$119/year fee makes referral-only activity profitable from the first transaction.

Who Should Stay vs. Switch?

Stay at RE/MAX if you are actively selling homes and generating enough volume to justify the desk fees and franchise costs. RE/MAX’s model rewards high-volume producers.

Switch to General Referral if you are retiring from active sales, pursuing another career, or simply making referrals rather than closing deals. Paying RE/MAX desk fees for referral-only activity is one of the most expensive ways to maintain a license.

Switching to General Referral

Registration takes approximately 5 minutes online, and your license transfer typically completes within 1–2 business days once your current broker releases it. Review your RE/MAX agreement for any post-departure obligations.