How RefBid Works
The Realtor-Exclusive Agent-to-Agent Referral Marketplace
RefBid connects referring agents who have referral leads with qualified receiving agents who bid for the right to work those clients — all within a transparent, professional marketplace.
What Is RefBid?
RefBid is a members-only platform for licensed real estate agents. It works in two directions — and both sides of every deal have real stakes in the outcome:
Referring Agent
You have a client who needs an agent in another market
- Post a referral lead — no charge to publish
- Agents bid the referral fee (% or flat amount) they're willing to give up
- You vet and pick the best fit for your client, and earn the most value for your referral
Bidding Agent
You want to win new clients via referrals
- Browse open referral listings by state in which you are licensed
- Place a bid with your referral % or flat fee offer
- If awarded the referral, sign the agreement and get to work
For the Referring Agent — Posting a Referral
You have a buyer or seller client who needs an agent outside your market area.
Create Your Account
Register as a licensed agent and complete your profile. RefBid verifies your real estate license and requires a Stripe Identity government ID check before your account is approved. Stripe Identity is the same technology used by banks, airlines, and financial institutions to confirm you are who you say you are — it takes about 60 seconds and is a one-time step. This keeps fake accounts and impersonators off the platform entirely, so every agent you interact with on RefBid is a verified, licensed professional.Post a Referral Lead
Click "Post a Referral" and walk through the three-step form:- ·Describe the client: lead type (buyer, seller, tenant/lease, or listing+buying), property type, price range, target state & city — these details come from a questionnaire you complete with or on behalf of your client, so bidding agents receive a fully prepared lead, not a vague inquiry
- ·Set a starting bid, bid increment, and optionally a Claim Now Opportunity price
- ·Confirm your three agent declarations and publish — there is no charge to post
Agents Place Bids
Once live, verified agents in your target market can bid by offering a referral fee — either a percentage of their commission or a flat dollar amount they are willing to give up (e.g. "I'll give you 25% of my commission at close"). You'll see each bidder's name, years licensed, market rank, ranked market coverage, and professional background.Award the Bid
When you're ready, you select the winning bidder. Both parties are then prompted to sign the RefBid Referral Agreement electronically. Contact information is only exchanged after both signatures are on file.Get Paid at Close
The receiving agent pays your agreed referral fee out of their commission at closing. RefBid stores the signed agreement for your reference — each party is responsible for maintaining their own records in accordance with their brokerage and state requirements.
For the Bidding Agent — Winning a Referral
You're looking for new clients and want to win referrals from agents who trust your market expertise.
Create Your Account & Build a Strong Profile
Register as a licensed agent and complete your profile — license details, years of experience, specialties, and past transactions. A complete profile wins more bids. Before your account is approved, RefBid requires a Stripe Identity government ID check. This is a quick, one-time step (about 60 seconds) using the same technology banks and airlines rely on — it confirms you are who you say you are. This is how RefBid guarantees every member on the platform is a real, licensed professional and not a fake or impersonating account.Browse Open Listings
Navigate to "Browse by State" from the main menu. Filter listings by lead type, property type, and price range to find leads that match your expertise.Place Your Bid — Always Free
Click any listing to see the full details. Enter your referral fee — a percentage of your commission or a flat dollar amount — that you're willing to pay the referring agent at close. A more competitive offer signals commitment and often wins higher-quality leads. There is no charge to place a bid — ever. Bid on as many listings as you want.Use Claim Now Opportunity (optional)
Some listings include a Claim Now Opportunity — but only when the referring agent has chosen to enable it on their listing. If it's available and you meet their eligibility criteria, you'll see the Claim Now button and can pay a fixed $430 platform fee to instantly secure the lead without waiting to be selected. This is entirely optional — you can always just place a free regular bid instead and let the referring agent choose from all bidders.Accept the Award & Sign the Agreement
If your bid is selected, you'll be notified. To accept the referral, a one-time $185 acceptance fee opens a private direct connection with the referring agent and generates the RefBid Referral Agreement for both parties to sign digitally. Nothing is charged until you actively choose to accept.
Consider what you're accepting: This is not a cold lead. The client sat down with their agent and filled out a questionnaire — their needs, price range, timeline, market preferences. They gave their approval for this referral. They are expecting to hear from a qualified agent. Meanwhile, the referring agent already paid a $45 fee when that first qualifying bid came in, then reviewed competing profiles and chose you specifically. By the time you see that acceptance button, a licensed colleague has put money on the line and a real client has actively participated in the process. The $185 is your entry into the most qualified, pre-vetted, consent-backed lead you will ever receive.Close the Deal & Pay the Referral Fee
Work the client, close the transaction, and pay the agreed referral fee to the referring agent at closing. RefBid stores the signed agreement for your reference — each party is responsible for maintaining their own records in accordance with their brokerage and state requirements.
Key Features at a Glance
Private Bidding
Bids are private — bidders cannot see other bids or how many have been placed. The referring agent sees all bids and profiles and can vet bidders throughout.
Claim Now Opportunity
An optional feature the referring agent may choose to enable. If available, bidding agents can instantly claim the lead for a fixed fee — or simply place a free regular bid instead.
Referral Agreement
Digitally signed by both parties before any contact info is shared.
License + Identity Verification
All agents are license-verified and government ID-verified via Stripe Identity before being allowed to post or bid. No fake accounts, no impersonators.
Agent-Controlled Closing
Bidding stays open until you select a winner or cancel — no fixed deadline required.
No Upfront Cost to Post
There is no charge to publish a listing. A $45 fee to the referring agent is triggered only when the first qualifying bid — at or above their set minimum — comes in. Lease listings have no fees at any stage.
Agent Declarations
Posting agents confirm client consent before every listing — protecting all parties.
The Hottest Lead You'll Ever Receive
The client approved the referral and contributed their own details. The referring agent paid $45 and chose you from a competitive pool. Three invested parties. One shared goal. This is not a cold lead — it's the most qualified introduction in real estate.
Fees & Financials
| Item | Who Pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Account registration | New member | Free — no registration fee |
| Posting a listing | Listing agent | $0 to post |
| First qualifying bid received | Listing agent | $45 (non-refundable, triggered once) |
| Accepting a referral award | Winning bidding agent | $185 (connects agents + generates signed agreement) |
| Claim Now Opportunity (optional — must be enabled by referring agent) | Bidding agent (only if they choose it; free regular bidding always available) | $430 (instant lead claim) |
| Referral fee | Winning/receiving agent at close | The agreed % of the receiving agent's commission they gave up |
| Bidding | Bidding agent | Always free — no charge to place a bid, ever |
| Platform cut | N/A | $0 — RefBid takes nothing at close |
| Lease / Rental listings | All parties | Completely FREE — no fees at any stage |
The Referral Agreement
When a bid is awarded, RefBid generates a formal Referral Agreement between the referring agent and the receiving agent. Here's what you need to know:
The agreement is presented to both parties electronically within the platform.
Each party must check “I have read and understand this agreement” before the Sign button becomes active.
Contact information (phone numbers, email addresses) is hidden until BOTH parties have signed.
After both signatures are on file, a prominent banner prompts you to save or print a copy for your records.
RefBid stores the signed agreement for your reference. Each party is responsible for maintaining their own records in accordance with their brokerage and state requirements.
The agreement includes: agent names, brokerage details, referral fee (% or flat amount), property description, and a closing deadline.
Refer a Colleague — Earn $15 Per Agent
For every licensed agent you refer, you earn a $15 account credit as soon as they are verified. Refer 4 colleagues and earn $60 in credits — applied toward your listing and referral acceptance fees. Credits apply to any RefBid fee with no expiry.
Tell a colleague about RefBid
Share your license number and state with any licensed agent or broker you'd like to refer. Tell them to list you when they sign up!
They register and claim you as their referral
After their license is verified, they're asked "Where did you hear about us?"They select "Referred by an Agent or Broker" and enter your license number and the state you're licensed in.
$15 is credited to your account — automatically
The moment RefBid verifies the license number and state match your account, a $15 account credit is added to your balance. You'll also receive an in-app notification and a text message thanking you for the referral.
No limit — refer as many colleagues as you like. Each successful referral that enters your license number earns you another $15. Credits can be applied toward future listing fees on RefBid.
Common Questions
Do I need to be a licensed agent to use RefBid?
Yes. All members are verified licensed real estate agents before they can post listings or place bids. RefBid is exclusively for licensed professionals.
What happens if no bids are received?
You can cancel the listing at any time. Since posting is free and no qualifying bids came in, you were not charged anything. You can re-post the listing at any time at no cost.
What if the receiving agent doesn't pay the referral fee at close?
The signed Referral Agreement is a legally binding document. Both parties should consult their brokerage and legal counsel regarding enforcement options — including, where appropriate, filing a formal complaint with their state real estate licensing board, which has authority to investigate and discipline agents who fail to honor written referral agreements. RefBid provides the agreement as a record but is not a party to the transaction.
Can I use the Claim Now Opportunity as a bidding agent if I don't meet the criteria?
If you don't meet the referring agent's minimum criteria (years licensed, market rank, specialty, or language requirements), the Claim Now Opportunity will not appear on the listing at all. You can still place a regular bid.
When does the referring agent get charged?
The referring agent is charged a one-time $45 fee when the first bid at or above their minimum referral percentage or flat fee requested is submitted to their listing. Posting itself is always free — if no qualifying bids come in, you owe nothing.
Is the $185 acceptance fee worth it — what if the deal doesn't close?
Think about what you're getting before you ask that question. The client sat down with their trusted agent and filled out a questionnaire — their needs, price range, timeline, and market — and gave their explicit approval for this referral. They are expecting to be connected with a qualified agent. They are not a Zillow click or a Facebook form fill. The referring agent then paid a $45 fee out of pocket, reviewed every bidding agent's profile, years of experience, and market background, and selected you from a competitive pool of licensed professionals. By the time you see the $185 acceptance button, a real client has actively participated in the process, and a licensed colleague has put their own money and professional reputation behind this introduction. No lead in real estate comes more pre-qualified, pre-consented, and prepared than a RefBid referral. Real estate always carries uncertainty — but the quality and commitment of the people involved is as high as it gets.
RefBid
The realtor-exclusive referral marketplace · refbid.com
This document is for informational purposes only. All fees and features are subject to change. See Terms of Service for full details.