Why We Chose eXp Realty: What Every Agent Should Ask Before Joining a Brokerage

Choosing a brokerage is one of the biggest decisions we make in real estate. It affects how we learn, how we grow, who we call when a deal gets weird, how much we keep, and honestly, whether we enjoy this career or spend every day wondering why we got into it.

It is easy to get distracted by a shiny split, a signing bonus, a pretty office, or somebody promising that their brokerage is the best thing since sliced bread. But there is a lot more to it than that. A brokerage can look incredible on paper and still be an awful fit for the way we work.

We have both been through different brokerage models: franchise offices, mom and pop brokerages, growing brokerages, and now a cloud-based model with eXp Realty. We have learned a whole lot by doing it right, doing it wrong, and occasionally figuring it out while the real estate world is on fire around us.

Why Choosing a Real Estate Brokerage Matters

Here is the biggest thing we want newer agents to understand: when we are interviewing brokerages, we are interviewing them more than they are interviewing us.

Too many people get licensed, walk into the first brokerage that says, “Hey, we will hire you,” and sign up without asking a single meaningful question. We get it. That is exactly how some of us got started. A job was offered, the people seemed solid, and it felt like home. Sometimes that works out. Sometimes we only realize later what we should have asked.

Every brokerage is built differently. Some have a large office presence and heavy in-person support. Some are highly independent. Some provide leads. Some provide training. Some provide neither but still take a large percentage of every commission check. Some are phenomenal for brand-new agents, while others are better suited to experienced agents who already know how to generate business and manage themselves.

Before making a decision, take the time to speak with more than one brokerage. Ask for a real conversation, not just a recruitment presentation. Then compare what is actually available, what it costs, and whether it fits where we are right now.

Commission Splits vs. What You Actually Get

Money matters. We are not going to pretend it does not. We work hard, and commission splits, caps, fees, insurance, desk fees, transaction fees, and franchise fees all matter.

But the better question is not simply, “What split do I get?” The better question is:

“What am I getting in exchange for the percentage I am paying?”

We have seen models with a 70/30 split where education was largely the agent’s responsibility. We have seen offices with desk fees, printing limits, extra charges, and a whole pile of expenses that could make the advertised split look very different in real life.

A brokerage may offer an 80/20 or 85/15 split, but we still need to understand the full picture. Ask about every expense and every service. If a brokerage keeps 20% or 30% of our commission, they should be able to clearly explain the value behind that number.

Questions to Ask About Money and Value

• What is the commission split, and does it change as production increases?
• Is there an annual cap?
• Are there franchise fees, transaction fees, desk fees, technology fees, or E&O costs?
• What tools, marketing support, education, staff support, and systems are included?
• Are leads available, and if so, what do they cost?
• Are there ownership, stock, revenue share, or long-term wealth-building opportunities?
• What happens when we cap or reach production milestones?

A signing bonus may help cover new signs, cards, and marketing after a move. That can be useful. But it should not be the reason we choose a long-term home. A quick incentive cannot make up for weak support, no education, or a culture where everybody guards their business like it is Fort Knox.

Real Estate Brokerage Culture and Team Support

The people around us matter more than we realize, especially early in our careers. We have experienced the difference that community makes.

At our prior brokerage, the relationships and accountability were a huge part of our growth. We had people who pushed each other, helped each other with contracts, kept paperwork tight, taught each other how to communicate with clients, and showed up for the community. That mattered.

We did service projects, supported local shelters, got involved with military events, and jumped in when our community needed help after a tornado. We learned that a good brokerage culture cannot just be a slogan on a wall. It shows up in the way people treat each other and the way they show up outside of closing tables.

Culture also helps us stay relevant. Comfort is great until it becomes a trap. If we keep doing the same things, hanging around the same ideas, and expecting different results, we are going to stall out. Real estate changes too fast for that.

When evaluating a brokerage, we should ask if the culture is collaborative or competitive. We should also go beyond what the broker says. Walk through the office, if there is one. Talk to agents who are actually producing. Ask what they love, what they hate, and what they would change.

One of the smartest things we have ever heard an agent do was call the top producer at a brokerage before joining. She asked direct questions about the experience, the support, and the things that needed improvement. That is brilliant. Find the names on the signs, make the call, and get the real story.

Why We Chose eXp Realty

Our move to eXp was not just about money, even though changing compensation structures was what first made us start doing homework. We had been loyal to our prior brokerage. It was home. We had built relationships there and learned a lot there.

But when circumstances changed, we started asking better questions. We interviewed multiple options, including other cloud brokerage models. We wanted to know about splits, education, referrals, technology, branding, leadership, and what opportunity really looked like after the sales pitch was over.

For us, eXp checked the boxes that mattered most.

Education That Is Actually Available

One of the things that stood out was the amount of training available through eXp University and other programs. There are live classes, recorded trainings, certifications, agent-led classes, and specialty divisions. We can learn about contracts, listings, social media, YouTube, business systems, referrals, productivity, and more.

FastCAP was one program that impressed us. It is a six-week cohort with classes three times a week, homework, time blocking, lead tracking, and practical activities. It may be geared especially well for new agents, but experienced agents can still get a lot from a reset around efficiency, habits, tracking, and structure.

The point is not that every training will be perfect for every person. The point is that ongoing education is there, and it is accessible. We do not have to wait for one monthly meeting and hope it addresses the thing we are struggling with.

A Bigger Referral and Collaboration Network

We also liked the ability to connect with agents outside our immediate market. In real estate, people move. Clients need referrals in other states. Military families relocate. Investors buy in markets we may never personally work in.

Having a broader referral network means we can find agents in other cities and build relationships beyond our local area. We have seen that collaboration happen through referral tools, specialty networks, direct conversations, and agent communities.

It has been refreshing to reach out to another agent and ask, “How are you doing that?” without them acting like we are trying to steal the secret recipe. A great idea from St. Louis, Dallas, Arizona, Houston, or anywhere else can become a better idea once we adapt it to our market.

Freedom to Build Our Own Brand

This was huge for us. We do not want to spend our whole career building somebody else’s name while our own identity stays invisible.

At eXp, we have the tools and brokerage brand behind us, but we can build our own businesses. We can use our own colors, logos, content strategies, local messaging, and personality, while still remaining compliant.

That means we can be ourselves. We can create videos, build community relationships, work our local markets, and develop a brand that clients recognize. As long as we are doing things the right way, we are trusted to run our business.

Systems That Keep Moving

A cloud brokerage can sound overwhelming, especially to someone coming from a traditional office. We had concerns about whether files would be reviewed quickly, whether commission documents would be handled on time, and whether the administrative side could really work at scale.

Our experience has been that the systems are organized and efficient. Compliance reminders happen. Files get reviewed. Questions get answered. Closings keep moving. No system is perfect, because real estate is still real estate, but the backend support has been far more structured than we expected.

Best Brokerage Tips for New Real Estate Agents

We also need to be honest about this: not every brokerage model is right for every agent at every stage.

A cloud-based brokerage can look very sexy to a new agent. There are tools, training, better splits, opportunities, divisions, and a whole lot of information flying at us. But independence comes with responsibility. Nobody is going to make our calls, hold every appointment for us, create our habits, or force us to generate business.

For many brand-new agents, a strong local team or a supportive mom and pop brokerage may be the best place to start. Those environments can offer more hands-on mentorship, leads, accountability, and proximity to people who can answer questions in the moment.

We think of it a little like the minor leagues and major leagues. A team or smaller brokerage can help newer agents develop the fundamentals. A more independent model can be incredible once we know how to manage our time, prospect, communicate, stay compliant, and create business consistently.

That said, the right community can change everything. An agent who starts in a cloud model without support may feel lost. But if they have access to a strong sponsor, local collaboration, structured training, and people who actually answer the phone, they can absolutely build a successful business.

How to Evaluate Real Estate Mentorship and Training

Having a mentor is not enough. We need a good mentor.

A good mentor does more than explain a contract or show us where to schedule an appointment. They help us learn to understand the market, communicate with clients, price homes, solve problems, think creatively, build confidence, and develop a business that can grow.

We also need to pay attention to motivation. The right mentor wants us to succeed because they believe in us, not only because of what we can eventually do for them.

There are plenty of big personalities and big egos in real estate. There is also plenty of big hair. We have to be careful about where we put our trust, time, and energy.

Questions to Ask a Potential Mentor or Sponsor

• How do you support a new agent during the first 90 days?
• How often can we ask questions or review active deals?
• Do you provide systems, checklists, scripts, or training?
• How do you help agents generate business?
• How do you approach accountability?
• Can you introduce us to agents who have been mentored by you?
• What does success look like for the people in your organization?

We should not be afraid to ask direct questions. We are choosing the people and systems that may shape our career for years. That deserves more than a casual conversation and a handshake.

What's Next in Our Real Estate Journey

Whatever brokerage we are at today, it is worth taking inventory. Are we growing? Are we learning? Are we supported? Do we have people around us who challenge us and help us become better?

We should look at what our brokerage is doing for us, what it is doing for the agents around us, and what we are paying for. If things are working, great. Keep building. If we are stuck, frustrated, unsupported, or simply curious about what else is possible, start having conversations.

That does not mean every agent should move to eXp. We are not going to pretend one brokerage is right for every person. The right fit depends on our goals, experience, work style, market, and need for support.

But we do need to do our homework. We cannot stay somewhere for ten years just because it is familiar, then be shocked when we discover the business has moved on without us.

Finally, stop playing the comparison game. Other agents may be louder online. They may post every closing, every award, every coffee, and every motivational quote known to mankind. Good for them. We still need to do us.

Put in an hour to improve the business. Take a class. Read or listen to a book. Ask for feedback on the YouTube channel. Make the calls. Post the video. Build the systems. Get a little better today than we were yesterday.

That is a next move worth making.

Whether you're a brand-new agent or considering a change, choosing the right brokerage can have a lasting impact on your business and your future. Every agent's goals are different, and finding the right fit starts with asking the right questions.

If you'd like to learn more about our experience with eXp Realty, what we've learned throughout our real estate careers, or simply want to talk through your options, we'd love to help.

Call or text us today at 253-820-7327 to start the conversation. We're happy to answer your questions, share our experience, and help you determine whether eXp Realty—or another brokerage—is the right fit for your goals.

FAQs About Choosing a Brokerage