Do Real Estate Brokerages Give You Leads?

The short answer

It depends on the brokerage. There is no rule that a brokerage must give its agents leads, and the sources we read do not say how many offer them. We will not guess a share.

Where a brokerage does offer leads, the terms differ. The cost may be a fee, a referral share, a different split or nothing separate. Ask before you sign.

What "we provide leads" can mean

The phrase covers very different things:

• Inquiries from the brokerage website or brand.
• Leads bought from ad campaigns or online platforms and passed to agents.
• Referrals from other agents, partners or relocation sources.
• Lead programs that agents pay to join.
• Introductions at office events or from a team lead.

How leads get paid for

Our general summary of common setups, not a count of the market:

• A monthly or upfront fee for access.
• A referral fee taken from the commission when a lead closes.
• A lower split in return for leads.
• No separate line item, with the cost built into a split or transaction fee.

Lead setups side by side

This is a general guide to what to look for. It is not a ranking and not a count of any brokerage.

What the NAR data says about where business comes from

The National Association of REALTORS 2026 Member Profile covers 2025. The NAR news summary we read on October 15, 2026 reported that the typical member earned 28 percent of their business from past clients and customers. It also said agents with more than 16 years of experience get about half their pipeline from repeat business.

The summary did not break down lead sources, and it did not address brokerage-provided leads. So we cannot say how much of a typical agent's business comes from a brokerage. New agents have no past clients yet, so they need other ways to meet people.

Questions to ask a brokerage

Get each answer in writing.

• Where exactly do the leads come from? Ask for the sources by name.
• Who gets a lead: everyone, a rotation, or agents who meet a standard?
• What do I owe when a lead closes?
• What do I owe if a lead does not close?
• Can I lose access to leads, and for what reasons?
• Are there response rules, such as how fast I must call?
• What happens to my leads if I leave?
• Can I see the terms before I join?

How to compare two lead offers

A lead offer is only useful if you know what it costs and what it asks of you. Put two offers side by side on paper and fill in the same lines for each one. Do not rely on the sales pitch. Use what is written in the agreement.

• Total cost: any monthly fee, upfront fee, referral share, split change or transaction fee tied to the leads.
• Cost when nothing closes: some programs charge you whether or not a lead turns into a deal.
• Cost when something closes: the share or fee taken from the commission.
• Your time: how fast you must respond, and how many hours a week the work may take.
• Exit terms: what happens if you leave, and who owns the contact and the deal in progress.
• Proof: can you speak with agents who use the program today, and can you read the terms before you commit?

Why a lead is not a client

A lead is a name and a way to reach someone. The person may be early in their search, may already work with another agent, or may not answer. Turning a lead into a client takes conversations and follow-up, and the result is never certain.

This is why the cost of a lead matters less than what you can do with it. A low-cost lead you never reach is worth little. A paid lead you reach quickly may or may not turn into a deal. Plan for both outcomes before you accept a program.

A plan that does not depend on one source

Even if your brokerage offers leads, our suggestion is to build more than one way to meet people. Brokerage terms can change, and a source can slow down.

• Tell the people you know that you are licensed and what you help with.
• Keep a simple list of contacts and follow up on a schedule.
• Show up in a local way, such as open houses, community events or neighborhood groups.
• Keep your online profile clear and current.
• Ask your sponsoring broker what help is available, and ask for it in writing.

Warning signs

Our suggestions, not rules:

• Promises of a number of leads, closings or income. No one can promise results.
• Terms that are only spoken, not written.
• Vague answers about the lead source.
• Pressure to join a paid program before you see the terms.

If your brokerage does not give leads

Plenty of agents build business on their own. Common paths include people you know, past clients, open houses, your online presence and referrals from other agents. See where real estate leads come from for the main sources.

Rules can change

Brokerage programs and terms change. Check the current terms before you decide. Education only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm licensing rules with TREC.

Where this fits

For the DFW view, read brokerages that provide leads in DFW. To compare firms, start with how to choose a brokerage. If you are licensed in DFW and want to talk with The Bauer Group, you can start a conversation on our site.