CDA Quick Reference Guide
Commission Disbursement Authorization · Agent Instructions
This guide walks you through completing your Commission Disbursement Authorization (CDA) step by step. A CDA must be submitted for every sale and every lease before your commission can be processed. Read each section carefully — missing items will delay your payment.
1
How to Complete the Form — follow each step in order
1
Transaction
Select Sale or Lease. Enter property address, MLS#, your role, and the closing or move-in date.
2
Parties
Enter your agent info, the client’s name, and all co-op brokerage details. Check IABS and Buyer Rep boxes.
3
Commission
Enter total commission % or flat fee, your split %, any co-op split, and referral fee. The calculator does the rest.
4
Checklist
Check off every document you are submitting. All Required items must be confirmed before payment.
5
Sign & Submit
Select payment method, type your full legal name to e-sign, then click Submit. Broker is notified automatically.
2
Select Your Transaction Type — this is the very first thing you do
Always select a transaction type first. The form changes based on your selection — Sale shows different fields and documents than Lease. Getting this wrong affects your checklist and commission calculation.
SALE — Choose this for:
- Purchase or resale of a home or property
- New construction transactions
- Land sales
- Commercial property sales
You will need: Closing date, sale price, HUD-1 or Closing Disclosure, title company info.
LEASE — Choose this for:
- Residential rental agreements
- Commercial lease transactions
- Any property leased month-to-month or long term
You will need: Move-in date, monthly rent, proof of deposit, proof of first month’s rent, ABB.
3
How to Create Your Invoice Number — date + client last name
⚠ Invoice Numbering Format — Required for Every Transaction
Month (MM)
+
Day (DD)
+
Year (YYYY)
+
Client Last Name
=
Your Invoice #
Transaction
Sale — Seller: Molina family — Closed Friday, March 20, 2026
Closing Month
March = 03
Closing Day
20th = 20
Closing Year
2026 = 2026
Client Last Name
Molina = Molina
Invoice Number
03202026Molina
Tips for the invoice number: Use the last name of the client you represented — Seller’s last name if you were the listing agent, Buyer’s last name if you were the buyer’s agent, Landlord or Tenant’s last name for leases. No spaces. Capitalize the first letter of the last name. Numbers only in the date portion — no dashes or slashes.
4
Document Submission Checklist — no payment without these
Every document must be submitted before your invoice can be processed. Missing a W-9 or a signed contract is the most common reason commission payments are delayed. Do not submit the CDA until all Required items are ready.
🔴 Required — All Transactions
IRS Form W-9
Must be on file before any payment is issued. No exceptions. If you do not have a current W-9 on file, submit one now.
Fully Executed Contract or Lease
All pages, all signatures. Both buyer/seller or landlord/tenant must have signed. No incomplete contracts.
Agent License Copy
Current active Texas Real Estate Commission license. Must not be expired.
IABS Acknowledgement
Confirm client received the Information About Brokerage Services form (required by TREC).
🔵 Sales — Additional Documents
HUD-1 / Closing Disclosure
From the title company. Must show the commission line items clearly.
Title Company / Closing Instructions
Wire instructions or disbursement authorization from the title company.
Buyer’s Representation Agreement
If you represented the buyer, the signed BRA must be on file.
All Amendments & Addenda
Any changes to the original contract must be included.
🟢 Leases — Additional Documents
W-9 (Lease — Required)
A separate W-9 is required for lease transactions even if one is already on file.
ABB — Agreement Between Brokers
Confirms the co-op commission arrangement between brokerages for this lease.
Proof of Security Deposit
Receipt, cashier’s check copy, or payment confirmation. No deposit confirmation = no disbursement.
Proof of First Month’s Rent
Copy of rent check, money order, or ACH/wire confirmation for first month’s payment.
5
Commission Calculation — Quick Reference
🏡 Sale Commission
Enter your total commission % (e.g. 6%) or a flat dollar amount.
Enter your agent split % (e.g. 70% — your share).
Enter co-op split % if another agent is sharing (e.g. 50%).
Enter referral fee % if applicable.
The form calculates your Net Commission automatically.
Enter your agent split % (e.g. 70% — your share).
Enter co-op split % if another agent is sharing (e.g. 50%).
Enter referral fee % if applicable.
The form calculates your Net Commission automatically.
🔑 Lease Commission
Select your commission type:
› 1 Month’s Rent — most common standard
› ½ Month’s Rent — for shorter leases
› Flat Fee — enter dollar amount
› % of Annual Rent — commercial leases
Then enter your agent split % and the form calculates your net.
› 1 Month’s Rent — most common standard
› ½ Month’s Rent — for shorter leases
› Flat Fee — enter dollar amount
› % of Annual Rent — commercial leases
Then enter your agent split % and the form calculates your net.
6
Select Your Payment Method
⚡
Zelle
Fastest option. Provide your registered Zelle email or phone number and the name on the account.
🏦
ACH / Direct Deposit
Bank draft — 1 to 2 business days. You will need your routing number and account number.
📝
Check
Physical check. Choose mail delivery or office pickup at Cain & Company. Allow additional processing time.
7
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Wrong Transaction Type
Selecting Sale instead of Lease (or vice versa) changes your checklist and commission options. Always confirm your selection before moving to Step 2.
Missing W-9
A missing or expired W-9 is the #1 reason payments are held. Submit a new W-9 every year and always attach one per lease transaction.
Incomplete Contract
All pages must be included. All parties must have signed. Do not submit a contract with blank signature lines or missing initials.
Wrong Invoice Format
Invoice number must be MMDDYYYY + Last Name with no spaces, dashes, or slashes. Example: 03202026Molina — not 03/20/2026 Molina.
No Payment Method
You must select Zelle, ACH, or Check before submitting. Payments cannot be processed without a confirmed disbursement method on file.
Wrong Client Name
Use the last name of the client you represented — Seller if you were listing agent, Buyer if buyer’s agent, Landlord or Tenant for leases.
You’re ready to submit when: All 5 steps are complete · All Required checklist items are checked · Invoice number follows the MMDDYYYY + LastName format · Payment method is selected · You have typed your full legal name to e-sign · Broker notification is enabled.
Cain & Company Real Estate LLC
Questions about your CDA or commission payment? Contact your broker before submitting.
This guide is for internal agent use only. Updated March 2026.
Questions about your CDA or commission payment? Contact your broker before submitting.
This guide is for internal agent use only. Updated March 2026.
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