What I Wish I Knew as a New Agent Before Choosing a Brokerage

When I first got my real estate license, I thought: just get the license, join a brokerage, and deals would come to me. What I wish someone had told me then is this: picking the right brokerage is more than commission splits. It’s about support, resources, culture, and long-term opportunity. If I could go back, these are the things I wish I’d known—and why I now believe REAL Broker, LLC is a model worth considering.

✅ 1. Commission Splits and Caps Matter — But They’re Only Part of the Puzzle

At REAL Broker, agents start with an 85/15 commission split, meaning you keep 85% of your commission per transaction. Once you contribute $12,000 in commissions to the brokerage over an anniversary year (the “cap”), you keep 100% of your commissions for the rest of the year (minus standard transaction-level fees). 

For many agents—especially newer ones—this structure makes the difference between struggling just to cover overhead and being able to reinvest in marketing, education, or lead generation. It allows you to build momentum without being drained by high fees that don’t scale down as business grows.

📚 2. Training & Mentorship Can Make or Break Those First 12–24 Months

When you’re new, the learning curve in real estate is steep. The paperwork, marketing, lead generation, negotiations, and client management all come at once. REAL offers extensive support: live training, on-demand classes, weekly masterminds, and a “New Agent Starter Series” designed to get you up and running. 

That kind of structured help is invaluable. It means you don’t have to learn everything on your own. It’s also a strong foundation for ongoing growth—rather than being thrown in and hoping you sink or swim.

🌐 3. Tech + Flexible, Remote-Friendly Infrastructure — Less Overhead, More Freedom

REAL is built as a “cloud-based brokerage,” meaning you don’t need to rely on a physical office building or traditional brick-and-mortar overhead. Tools like the platform known as “reZEN” help you manage transactions digitally, track deals and finances, and access document management from anywhere. 

For newer agents—especially those juggling multiple jobs, family, or side hustles—this flexibility can mean the difference between giving up and building a real business.

🤝 4. Community, Collaboration, and Culture Over Cold Competition

One of the biggest surprises working with REAL: even though it’s cloud-based and decentralized, the culture isn’t siloed or cutthroat. There’s a strong emphasis on mentorship, peer support, shared learning, and community over competition. 

That kind of positive, supportive environment is huge for new agents. It reduces burnout, encourages shared growth, and can make onboarding into real estate feel more human and sustainable.

💡 5. Long-term Wealth Potential, Not Just Short-Term Commission Checks

REAL doesn’t just pay commissions—they offer real opportunity for equity and shared financial upside. Through restricted share units (RSUs), stock-purchase programs, and a revenue-share model, agents can build long-term wealth tied to company growth. 

This matters. If you envision real estate as a career—maybe building a team or growing into leadership—this kind of alignment with your brokerage can pay off in more ways than simple commissions.

If you’re a new agent deciding where to start, here’s what I’d wish I’d known: Don’t just look at the “split.” Look at training. Technology. Support. Culture. Long-term opportunity. Choosing a brokerage is about setting yourself up for a sustainable, fulfilling career—not just your first few deals. REAL doesn’t solve every problem (no brokerage will), but it offers a balanced, agent-centered structure that can give you a real shot at success.