Why did Chad Link build Swyvvl?

After nearly two decades in real estate, training hundreds of agents and helping over a thousand clients buy and sell, Chad watched the large tech platforms siphon off a growing share of every transaction. Swyvvl came out of that frustration. His aim was to put the money and the control back with the agents, buyers and sellers doing the actual work.

How much commission do agents lose to lead platforms?

Chad's figure is 40 to 50 percent of commission going to big tech on referred leads. That is the number the whole conversation turns on, because an agent paying half of every deal for the lead is not really running their own business. Swyvvl uses a flat-rate membership instead of taking a cut per transaction.

What does a flat-rate model change for a real estate agent?

It changes who owns the relationship. Under a referral fee the platform is a partner in every deal forever, and the cost scales with your success. A flat membership caps what the tooling costs and leaves the upside with the agent, which Chad argues is the difference between a tool and a tax.

How hard is it to get nationwide MLS access?

Two years of red tape, in Chad's case, to secure one of the more robust property search setups available. He is candid that this was the unglamorous part of building the platform. Anyone imagining a real estate startup as a design problem should hear how much of it was permissions and paperwork.

podcast ·Jan 15, 2026

How Swyvvl Empowers Real Estate Agents with Chad Link

by Drewbie Wilson

In this week's Call The Damn Leads, I sit down with Chad Link, real estate veteran and co-founder of Swÿvvl.com, a new platform built to shake up the traditional real estate industry.

Chad's been in the business for nearly two decades, training hundreds of agents and helping more than a thousand clients buy and sell homes. After seeing firsthand how much money was being siphoned off by giant real estate tech platforms like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com, he decided to build a better way — one that gives power (and money) back to agents, buyers, and sellers.

We talk about how Swÿvvl is eliminating the massive referral fees, reducing transaction costs, and giving real estate professionals more control over their lead generation and client experience. If you're a real estate agent tired of handing over 40–50% of your commission to big tech — this one's a must-listen.

Episode Highlights

🏡 The Birth of Swÿvvl: Chad shares how frustration with the current real estate model inspired him to build a platform that works for agents and clients instead of draining their profits.
💰 Breaking Free from Big Tech: Learn how Swÿvvl's flat-rate membership model puts thousands of dollars back in agents' and buyers' pockets — without the massive referral fees.
⚙️ Nationwide MLS Access: How Chad and his team fought through two years of red tape to secure one of the most complete property search feeds in the nation, rivaling the biggest players in the market.
🤝 Turning Conversations into Opportunities: Why being "out there" — attending events, shaking hands, and talking to people — is still the most powerful way to grow your business.
🚀 Built by Agents, for Agents: Swÿvvl was designed by real estate professionals who actually understand the grind.
📉 Why Most Agents Fail: 87% of agents leave the business within five years. Chad breaks down why that happens, and how tools like Swÿvvl can help those who stick it out.
💡 The Early Adopter Advantage: How brokerages and teams joining Swÿvvl early are securing exclusive territories.
🔄 Disrupting Tradition: The "monkey experiment" analogy — how the real estate industry has stayed stuck in its old ways and why it's time to evolve.

Key Takeaways

Real Estate's Biggest Problem: Massive referral fees and corporate middlemen are robbing agents and buyers of their hard-earned money.
Simplicity Wins: Swÿvvl keeps it simple: flat monthly rate, no backend fees, and total control over your own leads.
Opportunity Comes from Action: Whether you're selling homes or building a company, success comes from getting out there and talking to people.
Industry Change Requires Courage: Change comes from those willing to question "the way it's always been done."
Homeownership Should Be Attainable: By cutting unnecessary costs, Swÿvvl helps make homeownership more accessible in a market where prices continue to climb.
Be an Early Adopter: Agents and brokerages that move fast can claim territory, save money, and grow alongside this new model.
Value Over Vanity: The future of real estate is about real people, real relationships, and fair transactions.

How to Connect with Chad Link & Swÿvvl

🌐 Website: www.swyvvl.com

📧 Email Chad: chad@swyvvl.com
📧 Email Rob (CTO): rob@swyvvl.com

✅ Start searching for homes today, connect with agents, and learn how Swÿvvl works.

📣 Call to Action

Call The Damn Leads
"By sales professionals, for sales professionals." Each week, Drewbie Wilson, a sales vet with 20+ years in the game, brings you humor, real-world stories, and powerful strategies to help you excel in your sales career.

Expect a wild mix of:

Real Sales Stories: Tales that entertain and inspire
Proven Tactics: Practical tips for boosting your sales game
Humor and Energy: Fun takes on the ups and downs of sales life
Expert Advice: Learn from seasoned pros across different fields

Whether you're in sales, an entrepreneur, or just looking to grow your business skills, don't miss out on these invaluable lessons and entertaining stories. Want to be a guest? Pitch your story at 👉 https://callthedamnleads.com/pages/podcast

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