A DIFFERENT SEASON. A DIFFERENT PATH.
Keep your real estate network working for you.
E.A.R.N.—Earn Additional Revenue Network—is a referral-only path for California real estate licensees who want to put their professional relationships to work without maintaining a full sales practice.
Start a private conversation
Designed for a different season
Your license can still create value—even when active sales are not the right fit.
E.A.R.N. may be appropriate for inactive California licensees who want a professional referral path without the commitments and recurring costs of maintaining a full sales practice.
Stepping back or retiring
Continue helping people in your network after transitioning away from day-to-day sales activity.
Taking a professional pause
Stay connected to the industry while work, family, health, or other priorities take your focus elsewhere.
Working another career
Use the relationships you have built without committing to listings, buyer representation, or transaction management.
Choosing referral-only work
Focus on making trusted introductions while an active agent handles the real estate transaction.
A straightforward referral path
How the E.A.R.N. program works.
You identify an opportunity and make the connection. The active agent manages the transaction, and any referral compensation is handled through the participating brokerages under a written referral agreement.
Affiliate under the E.A.R.N. program
HomeBased Realty® reviews eligibility and completes the applicable brokerage affiliation documents with the licensee.
Recognize a buyer or seller opportunity
When someone in your network needs real estate representation, you may refer that person to a HomeBased Realty® agent or another licensed active agent anywhere in the United States.
Document the referral
The referral and its compensation terms are established in writing and approved through the participating brokerages.
Receive earned referral income
If the referred client completes a qualifying transaction, the referral may generate 25%, 35%, or more of the gross commission earned, based on the written referral agreement and minus the applicable brokerage fee.
E.A.R.N. Agent Commission Program
Simple referral fees with a clear net-to-you calculation.
The E.A.R.N. Commission Program uses an annual affiliation fee and a transaction fee when a referral successfully closes.
Annual affiliation
$99Due when joining and renewed each year.
The affiliation fee renews annually on the agent’s hire anniversary date and is non-refundable.
Completed referral transaction
$615Standard transaction fee.
The fee includes compliance, Errors and Omissions insurance, and Workers’ Compensation insurance.
If the gross commission or referral compensation is $2,000 or less, the transaction fee is only 10% of the gross amount.
If the gross commission is above $10,000, add 0.70% of the amount above $10,000. For example, on $15,000, the added fee is $35 ($5,000 × 0.70%).
Program fees and terms are subject to the signed E.A.R.N. Commission Program addendum and current HomeBased Realty® policies.
Clear responsibilities
Make the connection. Let the active agent handle the transaction.
The E.A.R.N. program is structured for referrals—not active real estate sales or representation.
Your referral role
Build relationships and make trusted introductions.
- Maintain and grow your personal and professional network
- Identify people who may need real estate assistance
- Make an introduction to an appropriate active agent
- Use brokerage-approved referral documentation
- Receive earned compensation through the brokerage
Active sales activities
Handled by an active sales agent—not the referring licensee.
- Taking or marketing property listings
- Showing homes or hosting open houses
- Preparing offers or negotiating transaction terms
- Representing buyers or sellers in a transaction
- Managing disclosures, contracts, or escrow activity
Why licensees consider E.A.R.N.
A focused model built around referrals.
E.A.R.N. removes many of the obligations associated with active production while providing a professional structure for qualified referral opportunities.
Reduce recurring expenses
Participate without maintaining MLS membership or REALTOR® association dues.
Preserve valuable relationships
Continue helping friends, family, and professional contacts find qualified real estate representation.
Avoid transaction management
The active agent handles representation, documents, negotiations, disclosures, and the closing process.
Use a documented process
Referral terms are established in writing and managed through the participating brokerages.
Stay connected to the profession
Keep a relationship with a California brokerage while choosing a referral-only role.
Keep future options open
If your goals change, discuss the requirements for returning to an active sales role with the broker.
Eligibility and program terms
The details are reviewed before affiliation.
E.A.R.N. participation is subject to broker approval, a valid California real estate license, applicable law, and HomeBased Realty® policies. Current program documents govern.
- A valid California real estate license is required
- The annual Referral Network membership fee is $99
- A Broker/Associate Referral Agreement must be completed
- The license is transferred to HomeBased Realty® through the California DRE
- Each referral and its compensation terms must be documented in writing
Common questions
E.A.R.N. Referral Program FAQs
Who is the E.A.R.N. Referral Program intended for?
E.A.R.N. is designed for inactive California real estate licensees who want a brokerage-supervised way to refer buyers or sellers to active agents.
Do I need MLS or REALTOR® membership?
The referral-only program does not require MLS membership or REALTOR® association dues. Eligibility and affiliation requirements are confirmed by the broker.
What is the annual E.A.R.N. membership fee?
The annual Referral Network membership fee is $99. Any applicable brokerage fee associated with a completed referral is addressed in the program and referral agreements.
What is required to affiliate with HomeBased Realty®?
Once approved, the licensee completes the Broker/Associate Referral Agreement and transfers the license to HomeBased Realty® through the California Department of Real Estate.
Can I list property or represent a buyer through E.A.R.N.?
No. E.A.R.N. is a referral-only program. Listings, showings, negotiations, offers, contracts, and transaction representation must be handled by an appropriately affiliated active agent.
How is referral compensation determined?
A referral may generate 25%, 35%, or more of the gross commission earned when the transaction successfully closes. The actual percentage is established in a written referral agreement and is subject to the applicable brokerage fee.
When is referral compensation paid?
Compensation is payable only when a qualifying referred transaction successfully closes and all written agreement and brokerage requirements have been satisfied. Referral income is not guaranteed.
Can I return to active real estate sales later?
A future change may be possible, subject to broker approval, licensing status, current brokerage policies, and completion of all applicable MLS, association, insurance, training, and onboarding requirements.
MAKE THE NUMBERS YOUR OWN
What could you keep?
Compare your estimated commission after the published HomeBased Realty® program fees. See the net from one closing, with monthly and affiliation fees shown separately.
Estimates before taxes, MLS/association dues, optional services, personal business costs, and any outside referral or team splits. All results show one closing after its transaction fee only. Monthly subscription and yearly affiliation fees are listed separately. Signed program documents govern.
See the formulas and assumptions
- Standard: $615 per transaction, or 10% of gross when gross is less than $2,000. Add $375 for each dual-agency transaction.
- 100% monthly plan: $399 per month plus $289 per closed transaction, or 10% of gross when gross is less than $2,000. The monthly fee continues even with no closings.
- Both sales plans: add 0.70% of the portion of each gross commission above $10,000. Yearly affiliation is additional: $399 paid in full or $468 under the other posted payment options.
- E.A.R.N.: $99 annual affiliation and $615 per completed referral; use 10% of gross referral compensation when it is $2,000 or less, plus the same 0.70% adjustment above $10,000. Enter your gross referral compensation, not the receiving agent’s entire commission.
- Fees are rounded to cents per transaction. Results are per transaction and do not project income over a period of time or allocate recurring fees to a closing.
- At exactly $2,000, the published sales plans use the regular fee; E.A.R.N. uses 10%. The monthly plan does not publish a dual-agency surcharge on these pages; ask the broker rather than treating an omitted charge as $0.
NOW RECRUITING THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA
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