Disclosure is a good business practice.

Yes, we are required to disclose that to buyers and sellers in both North and South Carolina.

We are obligated to disclose

Kathleen Daniels Yes, I tell the client I was referred to them  and I mention the agent's name. I also tell them the refering agent will receive a portion of the fee.

Depends.

Is the consumer really a "client" that you owe fiduciary duties to?

Or are they simply an arms length customer?

Are you in a current transaction with this person?

Or has it been years since you worked with them?

Are you making money on an affiliate that you recommended to them?

Or are you merely passing their name along?

Too many unknowns...

Eve

no thank the agent

when I was active and sent a referral to an agent to assist my client, I would ask the agent to take my fee off the commission to be paid to him/her and have the seller credit it to my client (buyer) on their purchase....no one pays tax on it...it's a clean deal.... and I always used that as a thank you to the client for listing with me....

In Texas we would be required to disclose to all parties.

It would be the honest thing to do, in our forestry profession we are not allowed to pay or receive payment for a referral due to the ethical ramifications of this.

But in our real estate dealings we are allowed to, but I still believe that these should be handled as ethically and honestly as possible.

Yes.  

I want to be upfront with the people I deal with.

* In Florida, disclosure is not mandatory, unless a Broker receives a commission/fee from two different parties.   However, some Brokers instruct the title closer to pay the referral fee directly to the other Broker... in that situation the fee will be disclosed on the CD or HUD-1.

Yes.

I have not Kathleen Daniels  but then again I don't remember paying for or selling a lead.

I do not make it a point to tell them, but if they ask then I explain the referral process

Depends on the circumstances

I have always told people I am referring that I will be paid a portion of the fee.

I don't come out with it, but if asked, I'd certainly tell. 

I have done it both ways and also found it is subjective. If it bothers you, disclose and if it doesnt, make sure all goes well best you can

Kathleen,

We have every time.  In the interest of transparency and disclosure, we felt it was wise for us to do so.  We referred our Intellectual property attorney, and he appreciated that we told him,  We just feel better doing that.  A

No, it's none of their business.

Most of the time I do.  

Harry F. D'Elia nailed this one!

Sometimes

Kathleen Daniels - it always 'pays' to be transparent, isn't it?

I make it part of the conversation. I am not ashamed and glad to let them know there is cooperation across the states.

When I send out a referral, from which I will receive a referral fee, I typically tell the client being referred that I will be receiving a fee for setting them up with the new agent.

I also tell them they can call me, if it's not a good fit, and they need to be reassigned.  But I've never had to make good on that offer.

I'd buy s small gift card and write a thank you note with my appreciation. The accent is not on ''paid'' but on referral, even if it never works out. 

Yes, and I would have it be paid out of escrow, that way the client has full disclosure.

Yes I do.

Yes it is part of the disclosure

Always