They cannot charge that unless they are a licensee.

MLO holding a Real Estate License are governed by the CalBRE.http://www.dbo.ca.gov/Licensees/Mortgage_Loan_Orig...http://www.dre.ca.gov/Licensees/MLOLicense.html

@Joshua MartinLOL...I don't have alerts for the unlicensed brokering crowd:)I did think your post is a good topic for licensees to consider. 

Full disclosure of licensees with regard to marketing is paramount in the state of California.

You do not need a license to invest in real estate, you do need to know what those licensees know generally about real estate basics! 

That being said, you'd sure better trust that they actually pay.If you're talking about contracting w/parties and wholesaling; In WV, my understanding of the laws is that all transactions concerning an interest in real estate must go through a licensee and a closing attorney. http://www.wvrec.org/Law.pdf

As a licensee ... you may be able to call yourself a "Realtor", that is only if you have joined their club. 

Here are the duties that can be performed according to the FREC:Permissible Activities of an Unlicensed AssistantUnlicensed assistant is defined as support stafffor a real estate corporation or other licensed individuals.Answer the phone and forward callsFill out and submit listings and changes to any multiple listing serviceFollow-up on loan commitments after a contract has been negotiated and generally secure the status reports on the loan progressAssemble documents for closingSecure documents (public information) from courthouse, utility district, etc.Have keys made for company listings, order surveys, termite inspections, home inspections and home warranties with the.licensed employer's approvalWrite ads for approval of the licensee and the supervising broker, and place advertising (newspaper ads, update web sites, etc); prepare flyers and promotionalinformation for approval by licensee and the supervising brokerReceive, record and deposit earnest money, security deposits and advance rentsOnly type the contract forms for approval by licensee and supervising brokerMonitor licenses and personnel filesCompute commission checksPlace signs on propertyOrder items of repair as directed by licenseePrepare flyers and promotional information for approval by licensee and supervising brokerAct as a courier service to deliver documents, pick-up keysPlace routine telephone calls on late rent paymentsSchedule appointments for licensee to show a listed propertyBe at an open house for: o Security pulposeso Hand out materials (brochures)Answer questions conceming a listing from which the answer must be obtained from the licensed employer-approved printed information and is objective innature (not subjective comments)Gather information for a Comparative Market AnalysisGather information for an appraisalHand out objective, written infonnation on a listing or rental

@Hari Mann   @Eddy Dumire   I got licensed recently and I am taking some time to set a foundation for generating business, before I go out there and start flailing around like I see some new licensees doing.  

I am not the only owner of the LLC...Would appreciate any comments (from other active or inactive licensee) on disclosures to buyer/sellers during the first contact, which can be appropriate in this case.