Overview
The Referrals tab on a mortgage file records who referred the deal. When you tag a referrer, this file's commission is added to that contact's lifetime value, so you can see which referral sources bring in the most business.
Brokers and admins use it when a file comes from a realtor, past client, friend, or other partner. You can tag an existing contact or add a new one on the spot. Referrals is hidden by default, so you need to turn it on in your tab preferences first.
At a glance
The Referrals tab records who referred this mortgage file.
The tab is hidden until you turn it on in Settings > Preferences > Mortgage file tabs. Collaborators cannot see it.
Tag an existing contact, or use Add referrer to create one. New referrers are created with the contact type Other.
The commission attributed to referrers is the file's broker fee plus finder's fee, and lifetime value is shown in CAD.
Removing a referrer has no confirmation and no undo. The contact stays in your contacts. Tagging does not notify the referrer.
Before you begin
Check these requirements before you tag a referrer on the Referrals tab.
Turn on the tab: go to Settings > Preferences > Mortgage file tabs, select the eye icon next to Referrals, and select Save changes. See Sidebar and display preferences.
The commission attributed to referrers is the file's broker fee plus finder's fee. Enter those on the file so lifetime value is accurate.
Collaborators from another organization cannot see the Referrals tab.
Step-by-step instructions
Use these steps to tag, add, or remove a referrer on the Referrals tab.
Tag an existing contact as the referrer
Tag an existing contact as the referrer when that person is already in your contacts.
Open the mortgage file and select Referrals in the file sidebar.
On a file with no referrers, select + Tag a referrer. Otherwise use the search box.
Type in "Search contacts to add...". Results show each contact's lifetime value.
Select Add next to the right contact.
The contact appears as a referrer card with name, email, phone, contact type, "Added {date}", lifetime value, and "N deals referred".
Add a new contact as the referrer
Add a new contact as the referrer when the person is not already in your contacts.
Select Add referrer.
Enter Full name (required), and optionally Email and Phone.
Select Add referrer.
Broki creates the contact with the type Other and tags them on this file. You can change the contact type later on the contact.
Remove a referrer
Remove a referrer when this file should no longer count toward that contact.
Before you continue: removing happens right away with no confirmation.
Select the X on the referrer card.
The contact stays in your contacts. Only the link to this file is removed.
Practical examples and other ways to use it
These examples show ways to tag referrers on the Referrals tab.
Realtor referral. Search "Jordan Example", select Add. This file's commission now counts toward Jordan's lifetime value.
Two referrers. A past client and a financial planner both sent the deal. Tag both. The info line shows the file's commission attributed to these referrers.
New source. A neighbour of a past client calls in. Use Add referrer with their name and phone so you can thank them later.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
If one of these happens on the Referrals tab, use the fix under that mistake.
Looking for the tab on a new file. It is hidden by default. Turn it on in Settings > Preferences > Mortgage file tabs.
Removing the wrong referrer. There is no confirmation. Re-add the contact with search if this happens.
Tagging before fees are entered. Lifetime value uses the file's broker fee and finder's fee. Enter them on the file so the totals are right.
Troubleshooting
Use this section when a contact does not appear in search or a lifetime value looks wrong on the Referrals tab.
'No contacts found matching "..."'
You see 'No contacts found matching "..."' when search cannot show that contact.
Possible causes: the contact does not exist, is archived, or is already tagged on this file.
To fix:
Check the spelling.
Use Add referrer to create the contact if they are new.
A contact's lifetime value looks wrong
A contact's lifetime value looks wrong when fees on a referred file are missing or out of date.
Possible causes: fees on one of their referred files are missing or out of date.
Check first: the broker fee and finder's fee on each file they referred.
To fix: update the fees on those files.
Tips and best practices
Use these practices when you record referrers on the Referrals tab.
Tag the referrer as soon as the file is created. It is easy to forget once the deal is busy.
Add an email for new referrers. It makes it easier to thank them or send updates later.
Limitations and important behavior
These limits apply to search, new contacts, and removal on the Referrals tab.
Search shows up to 25 results and leaves out archived contacts and contacts already tagged.
New referrers are always created with the contact type Other.
Lifetime value is shown in CAD.
Removing a referrer has no confirmation and no undo.
Frequently asked questions
These answers cover notifications, more than one referrer, and partner referral forms.
Does the referrer get an email when I tag them? No. Tagging only records the referral.
Can I add more than one referrer on a file? Yes. Add as many as you need.
Is this the same thing as a referral that comes in from a partner? Referrals sent in through partner forms are covered in Partner referral forms and portal.
Related articles
These articles cover referral settings, contacts, partner forms, and commission.