Q: I’m a broker and owner of a real estate brokerage company. I’m thinking about setting up a separate company that will only engage in referrals of buyers and sellers to other brokerage firms. Must this company be registered with the DBPR/DRE as a real estate brokerage?
A: Yes. The company must be registered with the DBPR/DRE as a real estate brokerage since collecting compensation in connection with the referral of real estate business falls within the definition of real estate activity pursuant to Section 475.01(1)(a), Florida Statutes.