Support & FAQ
Yes, this model has successfully been utilized by several lawyers for a number of years; we are now making it available to all lawyers and real estate agents in British Columbia, soon to be expanded across other provinces.
2. HOW DOES RELEX BENEFIT ME AS A LAWYER, AND HOW MUCH CAN A LAWYER EARN ON A REAL ESTATE FILE USING THE RELEX SYSTEM?
You negotiate a fee allocation with the Realtor your client chooses from the Relex Realtor directory. A typical agreement is between 25%-35% of a Realtor’s typical commission (listing or selling side) but may vary depending on the circumstances of each listing, including the nature and value of the property, complexity of potential legal issues etc.
The Relex system allows you to offer exceptional professional service to your client through the use of both a lawyer and a Realtor right from the start of your client’s sale process. You benefit by earning considerably more than the usual conveyance fee. Here’s an example, based on a 30% / 70% listing fee division, and a typical commission structure of 7% -the first $100,000, 2.5% balance of the sale price:
Lawyer Fee:
$5,573.84 (Sale price of $1,199,400 = Metro Vancouver benchmark home price as of November 2021)
This compares very favourably with a typical sale conveyance fee of $1000.00
3. HOW DOES RELEX BENEFIT A REALTOR?
Relex provides Realtors with a new source of business in the real estate transaction capable of multiple repeat sales, with no additional marketing efforts or expense.
4. HOW DOES A BUYER OR SELLER BENEFIT?
Relex rewards Buyers and Sellers with FREE legal closing costs and the best possible representation in the real estate transaction.
5. HOW DO I KNOW THE RELEX SYSTEM IS PERMITTED UNDER THE LAW SOCIETY’S RULES?
A legal opinion has been obtained confirming that the Relex concept, including the use of the RELEX precedents made available to lawyers and Realtors, are compliant with all relevant BC laws and Law Society professional rules, including those relating to fee splitting and referral fees.
6. AS A LAWYER WILL I BE PUTTING MY SUBSTANTIAL REAL ESTATE PRACTICE AT RISK AND LOSE CONVEYANCING REFERRALS FROM REALTORS IF I USE THE RELEX SYSTEM?
We have a roster of Realtors licensed through RELEX who are eager to do business with you and your real estate clients. By working with you, they will gain access to a unique stream of potential clients they otherwise would not have. These are leads of the highest quality since you are your client’s trusted advisor.
If you know of a reputable, competent Realtor who you would like to work with to service your client’s property transactions through RELEX, encourage them to register through RELEX -it’s that simple.
7. HOW DO LAWYERS AND REALTORS GET STARTED?
a. Register through the RELEX website for FREE, and become a licenced RELEX lawyer or RELEX Realtor. A ‘per transaction’ Licence fee is payable by the RELEX lawyer only if and when a real estate transaction is completed.
b. RELEX lawyer members access and engage with the list of RELEX Realtors by agreement of a lawyer’s client. A Retainer Agreement with a lawyer’s client will automatically generate through the RELEX online platform. Have your client sign the Retainer Agreement.
c. Enter into an Engagement Agreement with your chosen RELEX Realtor by accessing the online precedent; the document will be automatically generated for signature.
d. The RELEX Realtor will meet with and will sign necessary MLS documents with the lawyer’s client and provide Realtor services in conjunction with MLS and Relex engagement agreements up to the point of sale. The RELEX lawyer monitors the marketing progress of the property in conjunction with the RELEX Realtor, including ensuring all written offers, subject removal addenda etc are submitted for lawyer review on behalf of the client, prior to the acceptance and/or subject removal date.
e. The RELEX lawyer will meet with the client to sign the usual conveyancing documents using instead the RELEX Client Account (based on the Retainer Agreement) which will be automatically generated for the lawyer through the RELEX online platform.
f. The RELEX lawyer completes the conveyance of the property and collects the Retainer Agreement fee and pays the Licence fee to Relex ($250 or $390 depending on price of property)
8. IS THE RELEX SYSTEM LIMITED TO JUST RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES?
The RELEX system can be used for any type of property including commercial and industrial, and for both sales and purchases.
9. HOW DO BUYERS AND SELLERS UTILIZE THE RELEX SYSTEM?
Buyers and Sellers are encouraged to contact any lawyer or Realtor and direct them to www.relexinc.ca if they are not already a member. Registration is FREE for all lawyers and Realtors.
