Agents who want to keep their RealScout account when switching brokerages, or who want to take financial responsibility for an account currently set up and paid for by their brokerage, office, or team, need to request an account release.
If you pay for your own RealScout account, you don't need a release, so you can skip this article.
Step 1: Request written permission
We cannot move or release any brokerage-or team-owned account without the owner's written approval. No exceptions. That means an email from your broker, office manager, leadership team, or team leader confirming approval.
Steps on how to request your RealScout account release:
Get written approval. Email your broker, office manager, or leadership team and ask them to confirm they approve releasing the RealScout account they provided to you (under your own financial responsibility).
CC Support. Include support@realscout.com on that email so we receive the permission directly.
RealScout takes it from there. Once RealScout has the written approval, our Member Support Coaches will walk you through the next steps.
What to expect if approved: we'll help convert the account to an individual account (under your financial responsibility or your new brokerage). Your previous brokerage branding is removed. Your contacts and data stay put. You may undergo a new MLS approval for your data feed.
Step 2: Integrations and contacts
Using an integration? We recommend checking with us first.
We recommend not making any integration account changes until Member Support has confirmed the plan with you. This includes:
not disconnecting/removing an integration from the RealScout account
not deleting the integration account you are using with RealScout
If your account is connected to Follow Up Boss, Cloze, MoxiWorks, Rechat, or another tool, changes made in the wrong order can cause contacts to disappear from the account, and they can be very hard to get back. Some integrations can only be removed by your brokerage or team admin, or by RealScout Support.
Keep your broker, office manager, or team leader in the loop from the start.
Ask them not to remove you from the account, delete contacts, or disconnect an integration on their own.
If you use an outside CRM like Follow Up Boss, hold off on changing its settings until Support walks you through it. This helps avoid duplicate contacts syncing during the move.
Matching alert setups may need extra help from RealScout. Support will let you know.
Step 3: After your account is released
You keep the same login.
Your contacts, saved searches, alerts, and settings come with you. That is why we require written permission.
If you need to deactivate an old account, your previous brokerage or team admin has to do it. Ask them to wait until your release is complete.
To recover a previous account and its contacts, use the link in your welcome email, or go to your profile page and sign in with your email. If prompted, choose "email me a link/password." Once it's reactivated, your contacts and saved searches are back.
If you’re moving to a new brokerage, you may also need a new MLS approval. Our team will walk you through it step by step. To get started, we’ll need your new brokerage’s name, your broker of record’s name, and your broker’s email.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to tell my brokerage or team?
A: Yes. We need their written approval to release the account.
Q: What if my brokerage or team leader won't give written approval?
A: We can't release the account without it. Talk with them directly and CC support@realscout.com. If they won't approve, you can start a new account with a personal email address.
Q: Can I create a new account while I wait for approval?
A: We recommend waiting, since two accounts can make things more complicated. If you'd rather start fresh, you can create one with a personal email address. Once your release is approved, you can import your contacts into the new account. Duplicate contacts won't be processed.
Q: Will I lose data if I change plans?
A: No. Changing plans only changes your subscription. Your contacts and account data stay intact.
Q: How do I set up personal billing?
A: After account release is approved, a Member Support Coach will help you set up individual billing. Our plans are available on learn.realscout.com/pricing. You can also add-on as needed. For example, the Nurtured Contact Pack is $9.99 per month for 500 contacts.
Q: When do I need an account release?
A: You need a written release anytime you want to:
Move your account to a different brokerage
Move from a brokerage-paid account to your own individual plan
Get your contacts and data back from an old brokerage-paid account that’s now closed
Move to an individual plan because your new brokerage doesn’t cover RealScout
Leave a team-owned account for an individual account and keep your contacts and data
Note: We can’t transfer your account to a brokerage that doesn’t have an active RealScout subscription. In that case, an individual agent account is the way to go.
Need more help?
Reach out to Member Support anytime through the support widget at the bottom left of your account. We'll walk you through anything unique to your situation.