What is the best real estate brokerage for beginners?

Find a brokerage where you will have adequate training on the essentials of running your business. Your broker should focus on how to market your business, build your brand, and generate leads through myriad channels. If your brokerage doesn’t provide leads, make sure it offers training on how to generate your own.

What are the most important questions to ask in a broker interview?

When choosing the best real estate broker to work for, you should, of course, ask not only about the commission split, but also about any additional fees you may be expected to pay. Some brokerages charge monthly desk fees, even if you haven’t sold any real estate. Ask about the tech stack offered to agents—do they provide technology, like a CRM, website, or transaction management software—or is it available for an additional fee? Also, ask about their training, how it’s offered, and whether they offer a mentorship program.

What percentage do most brokers take from new agents?

This can vary wildly depending on the brokerage, the business model, and the broker. Many traditional franchise and boutique brokers take a 10%–50%. The split varies depending on your level of expertise. If you’re a new agent, the split to the broker will be higher, whereas a more experienced, high-performing agent will contribute less to the broker. Still, there are brokerages that charge a flat fee per transaction. Exploring the different brokerage models and interviewing several brokers before making your final decision is a good idea.

What should I expect as a new real estate agent?

As a new agent, you should expect to pay higher commission splits to your broker. As you become more self-sufficient, your splits should get smaller. Expect to spend the first few months learning a lot about branding and lead generation to get your business up and running.

How important is technology, marketing, and lead generation?

Technology is essential for being competitive in the real estate market. Your brokerage should offer some kind of tech stack, including a CRM, transaction management software, and a website, to get you started. Many brokerages provide leads, but if yours doesn’t, you might consider looking at some of the lead generation platforms available. If your brokerage doesn’t offer any technology, it may be an obstacle to growing your real estate business at scale.

Best Real Estate Company to Work For in 2025

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median agent tenure at a brokerage is five years. So, you’ll most likely consider a switch down the road. The best real estate companies boost your earning potential, offer flexibility, solid training, and top-notch tools. I’ve identified the best real estate company to work for in this article based on several categories. Let’s dive in!

The Close’s top picks for the best real estate company to work for

Commission Split	Best For	Brokerage Highlights
30% salary + 70% bonuses per transaction	Agents relocating to a new market	Predictable income, benefits, and company-generated leads
Visit Redfin
Split varies (typically 70/30 to 80/20) with caps	Breaking into the luxury market	Cutting-edge technology, marketing tools, exclusive concierge services
Visit Compass
Varies - 95/5 or 80/20	Experienced, independent agents	High commission split, strong branding, global presence
Visit RE/MAX
80/20 split; $16,000 cap	Agent education	Cloud-based brokerage, revenue sharing, and stock options
Visit eXp Realty
85/15 split; $12,000 cap	AI-powered technology	Cloud-based brokerage, stock incentives, and a strong tech platform
Visit Real
Choose between $500 per transaction with a $5,000 cap or 80/20 split with a $15,000 cap	Building a team	Dual model, stock incentives, and strong branding support
Visit Lpt Realty
100% commission with a $465 per transaction fee (caps at $9,000) or 88/12 split (caps at $12,000, min $465 per sale)	Part-time agents	Agent-owned, stock awards, lower fees than most 100% models
Visit Fathom Realty

📌 Pro Tip

Picking the right brokerage isn’t just about commission splits; it’s about finding the proper training, support, and growth opportunities. If you’re a new agent, check out our guide on choosing a real estate brokerage.

1. Best real estate company for agents relocating to a new market: Redfin


Pros	Cons
Salary-based firm creates a stable income stream	Low salary and minimal transaction bonuses compared to independent agents
Access to medical and dental benefits package	Insufficient training for new agents
Company-generated lead source	Less flexibility than traditional agents
All expenses covered, unlike independent agents	No opportunities to learn the many aspects of running a real estate business
Done-for-you marketing

Why I chose Redfin

At Redfin, you don’t need an established sphere of influence. Redfin hands you leads, gives you a (modest but steady) base salary, and helps you get your footing in a new market. If you’re moving to a different city and don’t have a built-in client base, Redfin’s structure can be invaluable.

However, the leads provided by Redfin remain company property — you cannot take these leads with you if you decide to move to another brokerage. Still, once you’re settled and ready to take the next step, you can transition to another brokerage where you’ll have more control over your business and earning potential.

Redfin’s standout perks

Salaried positions with benefits: Agents can get their feet wet without sacrificing paying their bills or going without medical insurance.
Strong online presence and lead generation: Redfin is a recognized name and excels at generating leads for its agents.

What I think would improve Redfin

Agents give up a lot of flexibility at Redfin. If agents had more control over their schedules, the job might appeal to more people. Plus, company reviews show they earn less than independent contractors, even after expenses. Some might find better opportunities elsewhere with their real estate license.

Visit Redfin

2. Best real estate company for luxury agents: Compass


Pros	Cons
High-end, unified branding and marketing; much of it done for you	Relatively exclusive; the application process to become a Compass agent is difficult
Marketing and support tools offered to agents	No standard split or cap structure
Excellent reputation among high-net-worth homeowners	Rapid growth may lead to a lack of support, volatility, and instability
Technology is prioritized, especially tools like its Likely to Sell lead program	Higher desk fees and other costs compared with some brokerages
Attractive commission splits and financial incentives	Some markets may be more competitive due to high concentrations of Compass agents

Why I chose Compass

Compass has made a name for itself in the luxury real estate market, providing agents with the tools, support, and brand recognition needed to succeed in this competitive niche. By leveraging Compass’s cutting-edge technology, sophisticated branding and marketing strategies, and extensive network, agents can effectively navigate the unique challenges of luxury real estate.

Compass’s standout perks

Excellent high-end branding: Agents will enter a fully recognized luxury name with stunning branding.
Fully integrated marketing platform: Technology drives the Compass company, providing agents with tools, including Likely to Sell, to generate and nurture leads and build a solid personal brand.

What I think would improve Compass

One way for Compass to become more friendly for agents is to reduce its desk fees and other costs for joining its ranks. I’m not going to lie; Compass is not inexpensive, which gives it an air of exclusivity. However, it also raises the barrier to entry.

Visit Compass

3. Best real estate company for experienced, independent agents: RE/MAX


Pros	Cons
Strong brand recognition and global presence	Higher franchise fees and desk fees compared with some brokerages
Various training and support resources offered to agents	Inconsistent support and resources across different offices
Flexible fee structures and commission splits are available	Some markets are highly competitive and saturated with RE/MAX agents

Why I Chose RE/MAX

RE/MAX stands out as one of the longest-running and best real estate companies to work for. Its high and flexible commission splits allow you to keep more earnings. Plus, its powerful brand gives you marketing advantages in attracting new clients. With RE/MAX, their agents’ personal expertise is enhanced by its industry-leading branding that builds credibility from day one.

RE/MAX’s standout perks

Comprehensive training programs: Agents can choose from an extensive selection of video or in-person training.
Variety of franchise models and fee structures: RE/MAX follows the traditional franchise model, so each location offers its own fee and commission structure.

What I Think Would Improve RE/MAX

With a traditional franchise model like RE/MAX, you never know what you’ll get when you meet the brokers. More standardization might help attract agents to the brokerage. Also, more innovation, tech tools, and resources to help its agents stay competitive could improve its retention.

Visit RE/MAX

4. Best real estate company for agent education: eXp Realty


Pros	Cons
Agent-centric, cloud-based model with low overhead	Limited in-person support and mentoring
Massive library of on-demand training materials and virtual live training	No brick-and-mortar office locations
Transparent commission structure that’s advantageous to all agents	Focus on recruiting may have tarnished its reputation
Revenue sharing and stock options for agents	Relies heavily on technology, which may have a learning curve
Equity sharing incentives	Some agents may find its virtual environment less engaging

Why I chose eXp Realty

Over the past few years, eXp has stood out as the first large-scale cloud-based firm. It’s continued to innovate and stay competitive as one of the best real estate firms to work for.

One area that really pops is eXp World, a virtual platform that includes classrooms, boardrooms, and meeting spaces. What’s even better is that agents can access all these educational resources from the comfort of their homes, without having to be near a physical office.

eXp Realty’s standout perks

Cloud-based virtual brokerage: Agent-focused with virtual environments puts agents in the driver’s seat, giving them access to tools and resources on demand.
Emphasis on agent support and training: There is a ton of available training, networking, and more in the virtual world, as well as in-person training.

What I think would improve eXp Realty

With such a massive focus on leading-edge technology, eXp could improve by spending more time educating agents in its onboarding process. For many agents, the tech alone is quite intimidating. By providing more localized support and resources, agents might have an easier time adjusting to the virtual environment.

Visit eXp Realty

5. Best real estate company for AI-powered technology: Real


Pros	Cons
Agent-centric, cloud-based model	No brick-and-mortar office locations
Tech-forward and innovative tools for agents	Limited in-person support and mentoring
Five-tier revenue share plan attractive for recruiting agents	Less brand recognition than other brokerages
Generous equity share opportunities
Transparent commission structure
Plenty of room for growth

Why I chose Real

Previously, Real was listed as an industry disruptor, but now it’s more of a serious player and is begging other brokerages to follow its lead. It is known for being a vast AI-tech innovator in the real estate space. Real has a 24/7 AI concierge, Leo, that automates document reviews, breaks down payouts, and generates creative assets.

Real’s standout perks

Agent-centered 100% commission model: REAL is a cloud-based, 100% commission model that focuses on agents instead of the traditional brokerage model.
Access to a wide range of technology tools: If you love all the latest tech in the real estate space, you’ll love the innovative feel of REAL Broker.

What I think would improve Real

As cool as all the real estate tech is, it’s intimidating to many agents. REAL could spend more time on comprehensive training and mentorship programs to help agents start their real estate business. For its more seasoned agents, offering additional incentives for high performance would help with retention in the long run.

Visit REAL Broker

6. Best brokerage for building a team: lpt Realty


Pros	Cons
Flexibility in how you split commissions	No brick-and-mortar office locations
Custom marketing materials included with every listing	Limited in-person support and mentoring
Technology included free of charge, including website and CRM	Lot less brand recognition than other firms
Individual office branding encouraged	Not available in as many markets yet
Seven-level revenue share	Reliance on tech can be intimidating for many agents

Why I chose lpt Realty

If you want to talk about disruptors, one of the newest companies in this category is lpt Realty. With its sleek custom marketing for every listing and the mortgage lender part of the company, it makes many agents’ lives smoother.

If you’re building a team, lpt Realty has collaboration tools to help team leaders coordinate efforts, nurture growth, and drive collective success. It’s a tech-forward company changing how agents think about real estate brokerages.

lpt Realty’s standout perks

Mortgage process automation: LPT Realty’s owner also owns a mortgage company and a title company, keeping things simple for agents and streamlining processes.
AI-driven property insights: LPT Realty uses proprietary mobile-first technology to create data points to help agents target their marketing.

What I think would improve lpt Realty

The biggest struggle for LPT Realty right now is name recognition and national-level branding. But considering it started only in February 2022, its growth has been impressive. In three years since its inception, it has expanded to 25 states with nearly 12,000 agents.

Visit Lpt Realty

7. Best real estate company for part-time agents: Fathom Realty


Pros	Cons
Low monthly fees and low transaction fees	Limited in-person support and resources
Cap at 15 transactions, not a dollar amount	Less brand recognition compared with larger brokerages
Stock options offered as part of compensation	Agents are responsible for generating their leads
Training provided for agents
Cloud-based brokerage offering flexibility

Why I chose Fathom Realty

Fathom Realty is smaller than many brokerages on this list, but it’s growing quickly. It focuses on innovation and leading-edge technology to help seasoned agents thrive independently, especially for agents who want to work part-time. With its low fees, Fathom offers a cost-effective solution that makes it easier for part-time agents to maximize their earnings.

Fathom Realty’s standout perks

100% commission model with low fees: Instead of the traditional commission split, Fathom offers 100% commission with a transaction fee, leaving more money in the agent’s pocket.
Stock options for agents: Earn stock in the company as bonuses for sales and referrals.

What I think would improve Fathom Realty

Lead generation support is one area where Fathom Realty could step up its game. When you sign up with Fathom, you get some marketing basics like business cards and a few branded materials, but the heavy lifting for branding is all on you. If Fathom invested more in brand recognition and lead gen, it could help their agents grow their business faster.

Visit Fathom Realty

Methodology: How I chose the best real estate companies to work for

When selecting the best real estate companies to work for, I assessed key elements essential for becoming a successful agent. My goal is to highlight real estate companies that offer the most advantageous commission structures, minimal fees, and opportunities for additional income through profit and revenue sharing.

After comparing and reviewing dozens of companies, I identified the best real estate firms to work for in several categories, providing the best overall package for agents, offering multiple financial benefits, cutting-edge tech tools, robust support systems, and hosting a nurturing work environment.

Here are some of the factors we looked into:

Commission structure
- Let’s face it: earnings matter. I dug into how much agents actually take home. I looked into commission splits, transaction fees, and revenue-sharing models to pinpoint which companies let you keep more of your hard-earned cash.
Marketing and technology tools
- I evaluated which brokerages are equipping their agents with top-notch CRMs, lead generation tools, and digital platforms that give them a competitive edge.
Training, support, and professional development
- This covers mentorship programs, hands-on coaching, and education resources that are available for agents after signing up.
Agent rating
- I read hundreds of company reviews to get a real sense of how agents feel about working at these companies.
Agent growth
- Lastly, I examined agent retention, career development opportunities, and growth trends to determine which companies help their agents thrive and scale their businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Your take

Choosing a brokerage can feel overwhelming. So, take your time, research, and interview multiple options. Each has its culture, commission splits, tech stacks, and marketing tools. Find what aligns with your goals, but also ensure the culture feels right. You can always switch if your first choice isn’t the perfect fit.

Have you made a brokerage change in your career? How was it? What was most important to you when choosing your new brokerage? Let me know in the comments!

Best Real Estate Company to Work For in 2025