How free real estate agent matching works in California, and who pays
Short answer
Agent matching services are usually free to home sellers because the agent you hire may pay the matching service a referral fee when your sale closes. With A Wiser Move there is no upfront cost or obligation to you, and agent recommendations are based on local market data and performance, not paid placement.
How agent matching services make money
Most agent matching services do not charge home sellers. Instead, when you sell with an agent you were introduced to, that agent's brokerage may pay the matching service a referral fee from the commission when the sale closes. If you never sell, or sell with someone else, no referral fee is paid.
How A Wiser Move works
- You tell us about your home. It takes about 60 seconds.
- We research agents near you. We look at how agents actually perform in your area.
- You choose how many to meet. One, two or three agents, and how they contact you: text, call or email.
- You interview and decide. You never have to hire anyone.
In plain words: there is no upfront cost or obligation to you. Agent recommendations are based on available local market data and performance criteria, not paid placement, so agents can't pay to be ranked higher. A referral fee may be paid to James Suarez and/or Real Brokerage upon a successful transaction.
Questions to ask any agent matching service
- Who pays you, and when? A good service explains its referral fee openly.
- Can agents pay to be ranked higher? If yes, the "top" agents may simply be the ones who paid.
- How many agents will contact me? You should choose the number and how they reach you.
- Who is the licensed broker behind the service? You can check any license on the California DRE lookup.
- Do you sell my information? The answer should be no.
Check us yourself
A Wiser Move is led by James Suarez, a licensed California real estate broker (CA DRE #01433992). You can verify the license on the California Department of Real Estate Public License Lookup. Read how we pick agents or more about A Wiser Move.
Common questions
Does a referral fee raise my commission?
Ask the agent you hire. The referral fee is normally paid by the agent's brokerage out of the commission you agree to, and the commission itself is negotiable between you and the brokerage.
Is A Wiser Move a brokerage?
A Wiser Move is a consumer education and real estate agent introduction service led by James Suarez, a licensed California real estate broker (CA DRE #01433992) affiliated with Real Brokerage (CA DRE #02022092). It introduces sellers to agents. It does not list or sell homes itself.
What happens if I do not hire any of the agents?
Nothing. There is no obligation and no fee to you.
Sources
- California Department of Real Estate, Public License Lookup. Official lookup for any California real estate license by name or license ID.