As the title states, I am a webmaster. Most of the work I do is in search engine optimization. I am launching several new projects that will be focused on obtaining targeted real estate traffic... my main issue is getting the best value from these visitors once they are on my site.

I'd like to go a step beyond just putting up adsense on my site, but stop short of becoming an agent or broker myself. I am looking for ideas and I am interested on hearing any thoughts on what my best move might be.

I have considered contacting a local agent and trying to find a way to work with them directly, where I could just pass my traffic onto them. The big issue here comes with tracking any commission etc... to solve this you can use a flat monthly or annual rate, but someone usually loses out when these ad plans are priced out, and it's usually the webmaster who has to sacrifice some profit.

Suggestions welcome, thanks in advance. FYI, I have the same issue with vacation rentals, although I suspect this should be addressed separately.

I would focus on designing a site which gives some sort of value to visitors and which would make them want to use your services. In that regard, I think adding adsense makes it look cheap and visitors would not be as impressed with your site (and obviously with services). As far as tracking commissions if you partnered up with a realtor, it wouldn't be very difficult, specially if you vetted them properly prior to entering in a business relationship.

You should be able to work out some sort of affiliate tracking or lead tracking.

You could:
1a) Measure your outgoing traffic to that site via GA or other web analytics software using outbound link goals
1b) Measure their traffic referrals from your site via GA or whatever web analytics

2) Use another method of tracking affiliate tracking.. cookies, custom url landing page, etc.

3) Simply charge real estate agent per lead and/or if that lead turns into a purchaser then you get a %

You can only be paid a percentage if you are licensed (in most areas). Charge per lead and get in line with all of the other lead sellers out there.