Quick Comparison
| Feature | General Referral | Realty Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Commission Split | 100% (less $295 flat fee) | 80% |
| Annual Fee | $99—119 | $100 |
| NJ Office | Yes (Midland Park & Holmdel) | No (Reston, VA / San Francisco, CA) |
| Online Signup | Yes | No |
| Referral Restrictions | None | None stated |
| Online Referral Portal | Yes | No |
Commission Deep Dive
The commission structure is the most impactful difference between these two programs. General Referral’s flat fee becomes increasingly advantageous as referral values grow, while Realty Connect’s 20% cut scales proportionally with every transaction.- General Referral Model
- Realty Connect Model
With General Referral, you keep 100% of your referral commission minus a flat $295 transaction fee. The fee never changes, regardless of the referral amount.Example: $500K home, 3% commission ($15,000), 25% referral fee ($3,750)
Because the fee is flat, your effective percentage improves as the transaction value increases.
| Line Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Referral fee earned | $3,750 |
| Less: flat transaction fee | -$295 |
| Your take-home | $3,455 |
| You keep | 92.1% |
On this single transaction, General Referral puts $455 more in your pocket compared to Realty Connect’s 80% split. That $455 difference repeats on every referral of the same value — and the gap widens on higher-value transactions.
Technology & Tools
- General Referral
- Realty Connect
General Referral provides a modern, digital-first experience for referral agents:
- Online referral portal — Submit and manage referrals from anywhere through a dedicated web-based dashboard
- Digital referral submission — No paper forms, faxes, or phone calls required to place a referral
- Electronic agreements via SignWell — Sign all documents digitally without printing, scanning, or mailing
- Commission tracking — Monitor the status and payout of your referrals in real time
Office Locations & Accessibility
| General Referral | Realty Connect | |
|---|---|---|
| NJ Office Locations | Midland Park & Holmdel | None |
| Nearest Office | In New Jersey | Reston, VA (~225 miles) or San Francisco, CA (~2,900 miles) |
| Online Signup | Yes — complete in about 5 minutes | No |
| Online Referral Submission | Yes | No |
| Online Commission Tracking | Yes | No |
| Remote-Friendly | Fully online workflow | Traditional processes |
Resources & Support
- General Referral
- Realty Connect
- Email support — Responsive support via support@generalreferral.com
- Knowledge base and docs — Searchable articles covering every aspect of the referral process
- Video tutorials — Step-by-step walkthroughs for common tasks
- Member portal — Centralized hub for account management, referrals, and payments
- Local NJ broker — Two office locations staffed by brokers who know the New Jersey market
Who Should Choose Realty Connect?
Realty Connect may be a good fit if you:- Are licensed in multiple states and want a single national brokerage to handle referrals across all of them
- Do not need local NJ support and are comfortable working with an out-of-state brokerage for all referral activity
- Are located near Reston, VA or San Francisco, CA and want convenient access to a physical office
- Prefer a national brand over a brokerage that specializes in a specific market
If you are a New Jersey agent whose primary referral activity is within or connected to the NJ market, Realty Connect’s lack of local presence may limit the hands-on support you receive. For agents licensed in multiple states who want one brokerage nationwide, Realty Connect’s national model may be appealing.
Who Should Choose General Referral?
General Referral is the stronger choice if you:- Are a New Jersey agent who wants a local broker with physical offices in Midland Park and Holmdel
- Want to maximize your income with a flat $295 transaction fee instead of giving up 20% of every referral
- Prefer online tools for submitting referrals, signing agreements, and tracking commissions
- Want a brokerage that specializes in the NJ market and understands the local real estate landscape
- Value transparent, predictable costs — one flat fee, no percentage splits, no surprises
Income Comparison
These projections assume a $500K home sale price, 3% commission ($15,000), and a 25% referral fee ($3,750 per referral). Annual fees are factored in.- 1 Referral / Year
- 3 Referrals / Year
- 5 Referrals / Year
| General Referral | Realty Connect | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross referral income | $3,750 | $3,750 |
| Brokerage cost | $295 (flat fee) | $750 (20% split) |
| Net referral income | $3,455 | $3,000 |
| Annual fee | $119 | $100 |
| Net annual income | $3,336 | $2,900 |
These are estimates based on publicly available information. Use our commission calculator for personalized projections based on your specific situation.
How to Switch to General Referral
How to Switch to General Referral
Transferring your license is straightforward and typically takes less than one week.Sign up with General Referral
Complete the online application in about 5 minutes. Select your plan and submit payment.
Your current broker releases your license
Notify your current brokerage that you’re transferring. They release your license to the state — typically 1-2 business days.
Ready to Maximize Your Referral Income?
Join General Referral
Complete your application in about 5 minutes and start keeping more of every referral fee
Calculate Your Earnings
See exactly how much you’d earn with our 100% commission model