You can multiply your earnings with up to 5 tiers of agents. When you recruit an agent to Orchard, they become part of your Level 1. If that agent recruits someone, that person becomes part of your Level 2, and so on. You’ll earn a share of the commission on their agent-sourced closings, ranging from 3.5% for your Level 1 to 1.5% to your Level 5, up to the $20k cap. Your share comes out of Orchard’s split, not the agent’s commission. Agents you recruit are part of your downline for as long as you both remain Orchard agents, so you can earn up to $2,800 per year on an agent in your Tier 1.
Send you up to 3 + qualified listing appointments/week - no cold prospecting. With higher level conversion rates, you can also access additional listing appointments and “top tier leads,” which are the highest price points in the market area.
Supercharge your existing business through automated SOI marketing campaigns and exclusive products and services designed to facilitate more transactions from your current client list. Programs like Move First, Fast Track Offers, access to our renovation program called Concierge, and the ability to use our cash offer platform to facilitate fast closings for your clients.
Early adopter in the revenue share program - 3.5% GCI for all tier 1 recruits, and 5 tier levels to grow your residual income. Utilize our lead generation, SOI marketing, and real estate platform to build your team in record time.
Market-specific examples -
The Phoenix team signed 16 new clients from these listing appointments, and the typical conversion rate on these leads as a whole runs ~ 35%.
I’ve seen Orchard agents 2-3X their business in this real estate market. Even more excited for what 2026 brings with interest rate cuts on the table.
DFW has 6+ agents earning over 100k in Orchard-sourced commissions in 2025 with pipelines to far exceed that number in 2026.
The Houston teams convert at the highest rate in the country, averaging over 38% and we had one agent who signed 15 new customers between November and January last year, allowing them to have a huge pipeline of closings in 2025.
One of our Denver agents is actively running up the commission tier charts right now with 24 Orchard-sourced closings YTD. Most agents haven’t seen 24 closings since 2020/2021, and those numbers don’t include her own SOI business!
The most exciting part about joining Orchard right now is that we are nearing rapid growth mode in the next 18 months and launching new markets. It’s very realistic that you can come in, build your team locally, and continue to grow your down line by recruiting into new markets being launched in 2026, 2027.
Please note - We only contact eligible referrals. All candidates must go through our interview process and be selected to join the team
To qualify, agents should:
Have recent experience – at least 2 closed transactions in the past 12 months (ideally 4+).
Reside & hold an active real estate license in the market they’re being referred for.
Be metrics-oriented and driven by results.
Possess strong technical proficiency.
Exhibit solid sales skills, including:
Handling rejection and overcoming objections
Building rapport and setting clear expectations
I’d love to show you how it works, with real numbers in commissions, conversions, and comp plans. What’s a good time this week for a quick 15-minute Google Meet call? You can see if it’s a fit. I’ll show you the opportunity in real numbers and real-time data. No pressure either way.
Hey—if you're a solid agent but feel like you've hit a ceiling, this might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
I’m Dan Wood and I'm an agent here at Orchard.
We’ve built a platform that helps agents scale—fast. We’re talking listing appointments that actually convert, AI tools that close more deals in less time, and systems that grow both your listing business and your SOI.
How it works, what you get, and how it could change your business.
If it clicks with you, let’s grab 10 minutes to chat. No pressure—just the info.
Call me today: 512-768-6678
“I just switched brokerages and am not comfortable moving again”
My own move to Orchard was an interesting process. I went through the interview and it was unlike any other brokerage I've previously worked with and I've been selling real estate since 2004. With all of the tools and immediate set listing appointments they offered, it was a no brainer for me.
‘It’s a buyer's market, I don’t want seller leads”
A long-term real estate career requires both buyer and seller sides of the business, especially given market cycles
“Does Orchard allow 100% commission? That’s where I am now and I’m not changing.”
We absolutely offer 100% once you hit a very minimal cap. In fact, we are the ONLY Tech-based brokerage that offers a parallel comp plan where you retain nearly all of the commission earned on your own transactions and STILL have the upside of our marketing and advertising channels to continue to GROW your business AT ZERO COST TO YOU. Before you make a decision, allow me to ensure you're fully informed on both comp plans. I guarantee you'll be thankful to have taken 15 minutes to see the full scope of what we offer in comparison to what your current brokerage is offering.
“Orchard has a stigma of being an "all-cash type brokerage," which is an issue for luxury clients”
Orchard is rebuilding its brand and its cash offer platform generates opportunities across multiple price points, including luxury sellers. Emphasize that Orchard's programs, which offer convenience and equity fronting, are highly attractive to luxury clients, regardless of any perceived branding issues
“My parents are my brokers and I don’t want to leave their team”
Great, let’s get your parents involved!
“I don’t want to recruit other agents”
Recruitment is not a requirement, but an optional revenue stream, empowering top agents to build teams
Parallel Comp plans line:
“Orchard is the only tech-based brokerage with a parallel comp plan where not only do you keep a huge portion of the commissions on transactions you source for yourself, but you also get the upside of our marketing and advertising power and a new revenue stream from the Orchard-sourced leads and listing appointments. Remember also that a large portion of our leads are MFEA customers, where they are both buying and selling with you. So while it is high volume in nature, you’ll start ramping up the commission tiers with as few as 7 closed clients. The best part of the Orchard-sourced comp plan is that once they transact with Orchard the first time, they are your clients moving forward. Meaning you get paid as an SOI transaction. Compared to our competition continuing to take an aggressive split off these leads for 2-5 years into the future, Orchard has the most agent-friendly comp plans in the business.”
What should I focus on when it comes to attracting and recruiting strong agents and helping them be successful here?
Agents you bring on to our team should meet Orchard’s standards of customer service, continuous improvement, and alignment with our company values. While agents are eligible to receive Orchard leads, each agent must also maintain a minimum of 4 SOI deals per year (measured in arrears), with a goal of 8 SOI deals per year.
Will there be coaching on recruiting?
Yes - we will run a recurring session on the program and recruiting resources available to you as part of the Ongoing Education calendar.
How can I advertise on my social media or through email?
Our marketing team has created sample social media posts (including an attachment) and email language that should make this easy!
Can we recruit non-capping agents to train up?
Our goal is to bring on tenured agents that have their own book of business. This will allow you to drive immediate value on your team, while also allowing you the bandwidth to continue recruiting and supporting other agents. If you have a candidate who is a more junior agent that you believe will be a strong asset to the team, you can discuss with your Market Manager or the recruiting team on a case-by-case basis.
Are there geographic boundaries for the teams, other than the obvious state licensure boundary. I.e., If I am in the Austin market, can I recruit from other markets like Dallas, or Houston?
There are no geographic boundaries - you can recruit in any market Orchard operates in.
If we are not licensed in a state, how do we recruit and train a new agent?
You do not need to be licensed in a state to recruit there. All Agents will go through Orchard’s standard onboarding program.
If I recruit an agent through revenue share, am I their Market Manager/Manager?
No. As the sponsoring agent, we encourage you to serve as a support and resource for the new agent, particularly as they get up to speed at Orchard - this will set them up to be as successful as possible and help you increase revenue through your downline. That said, the new agent will have a dedicated Market Manager and go through training - you are not responsible for training them or managing their performance.
How can I track my referral’s progress?
You can reach out to the recruiting team to track a referral who is still in the interview process. If your referral has been hired, and you have a question about a payout, please email us.
How can I be involved in my referral’s process?
You should act as an advocate for Orchard throughout the process and help give them a sense of the Orchard mission and culture! You will receive an email from the Recruiting team if your referral is either unresponsive, has received an offer from us or has accepted an offer from us. If they are unresponsive, we would love your help getting them active again. If they have received an offer from us, we’d love your help getting them over the finish line!
Who receives the revenue share if multiple people refer the same agent?
We typically verify this with the referred agent, by asking them who referred them to Orchard. In most cases, the payout will be given to that person.
Orchard 1099 Agent and Team Lead Referral Program Overview
Hiring great independent contractor agents is critical for our mission, culture, and strategy. Referrals from current agents are highly valuable. Since referred candidates are usually familiar with Orchard and pre-vetted by existing Orchard agents, they tend to convert through our process at higher rates and are more likely to accept offers. Historically, around 30%+ of our agent hires have been referrals.
The Agent Referral Program is distinct from the Employee Referral program and applies to referring candidates for independent contractor (1099) Agent roles and (1099) Team Lead roles. Ideally, a referral is someone you know and have already spoken with about the opportunity.
Please note that we do not contact all referrals. If someone does not have an active license, or hasn’t closed any transactions, we will likely not reach out.
Independent Contractor Agent Referral Program
Eligibility
Any independent contractor (1099) OR Orchard employee is eligible to submit a referral for an Agent candidate.
Referral Overview
If you know anyone in our markets OR you want to proactively network with agents, we encourage you to submit those referrals here.
If you leave Orchard before the agent’s first booking, you will forfeit the referral bonus.
Independent Contractor Team Lead Referral Program
Eligibility
Any independent contractor (1099) OR Orchard employee is eligible to submit a referral for a Team Lead candidate.
Referral Overview
If you refer a Team Lead candidate and they are hired, you will receive a referral bonus, if applicable, paid after the Team Lead has been at Orchard for 90 days.
Please share the candidate’s legal first and last name, their email address or phone number and if a Recruiter can mention your name when they reach out. Please do not include titles or nicknames. Payouts are tracked correctly only if you use the correct first and last name.
The candidate cannot be a previous employee or already be an active candidate in our hiring process.
If you leave Orchard before the Team Lead completes their first 90 days, you will forfeit the referral bonus.
FAQs
How can I track my referral’s progress?
You can reach out to Sarah Decker to track a referral who is still in the interview process. If your referral has been hired, and you have a question about a payout, please email referral-payouts@orchard.com.
How can I be involved in my referral’s process?
You should act as an advocate for Orchard throughout the process and help give them a sense of the Orchard mission and culture! You will receive an email from the Recruiting team if your referral is either unresponsive, has received an offer from us or has accepted an offer from us. If they are unresponsive, we would love your help getting them active again. If they have received an offer from us, we’d love your help getting them over the finish line!
When and how will I be paid?
Agent Referrals: After your referral’s first booking with Orchard, you’ll receive a payout via wire transfer to the bank account you have on file with Orchard (there are potentially fees taken if your bank charges for incoming wire transfers). The bonus amounts cited above are taxable. Please note that we use the account name "Realty International Association, LLC" for the wires. Referrals are typically paid out on Fridays and you will receive an email from the Recruiting team notifying you of the payout.
Who receives the referral bonus if multiple people refer the same agent?
We typically verify this with the referred agent, by asking them who referred them to Orchard. In most cases, the payout will be given to that person.
How can I advertise the open roles on my social media or through email?
Our marketing team has created sample social media posts (including an attachment) and email language that should make this easy!
Am I eligible for a referral bonus?
The following are exempt from receiving a referral bonus:
Hiring Manager referring someone for a role they are responsible for hiring / a role they will be managing
This includes RSMs and Team Leads for Agent Referrals
Team Leads ARE eligible to receive a referral bonus for referring Team Lead candidates (since they are not involved in their hiring process)
Executive Team
Recruiting / HR