Hi there from Coalinga CA.

**JohannaDuval** · 10-17-2007, 03:09 PM

Hi everyone,

I found this forum very useful! I'm happy to join. I've been an agent for about a year and a half in a small town in Fresno county. I have a qustion, I believe it has to do with RESPA laws. Anyway I was at an Open House for GJ Gardner homes, they were advertsing $1000k for referring a friend. I know there's loop holes, I think, I don't know, but I though if you send out info to previous clients and call it a "GIFT" not a referral you can get away with it...and I think the max you can right off is $50 Any input?

**Jaysonnhs** · 10-17-2007, 03:47 PM

Nice to have you aboard JohannaDuval

**Codythebest** · 10-17-2007, 04:15 PM

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Yeah, I think you're right regarding RESPA. 50 bucks max and no cash.
But couldn't you make it in writing, deposit the money to the broker and talk with your broker for whatever split?

**JohannaDuval** · 10-22-2007, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by Codythebest

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Yeah, I think you're right regarding RESPA. 50 bucks max and no cash.
But couldn't you make it in writing, deposit the money to the broker and talk with your broker for whatever split?

Thanks for all your replies! That's where the argument is I think. I thought as long as it was called a "gift" not a referral you could get away with it. I'm confused about the broker and the split money issue. What I was thinking of doing was mailing out thank you's to previous clients and as a "gift" if a friend buys or sells with me I will send them $50 gift in a form of a check. Sort of like that Direct TV commercial. I just don't want to violate RESPA laws.