Thinking About Starting Your Own Brokerage? Read This Before You File Anything
If you are an agent who is considering starting an independent brokerage, I get it. At a certain production level, it is normal to think, “Why am I still paying a split?” or “I could do this on my own and keep more.” That ambition is a strength. The real question is whether an independent brokerage is the smartest vehicle for your next level right now.
Because when you start your own brokerage, you are not just starting a brand. You are taking on an entirely new business with new responsibilities that have nothing to do with selling real estate.
The pros of starting your own independent brokerage
You control your brand and your model.
You make your own rules and your own culture.
You can recruit agents and keep more of the economics.
You build an asset that is truly yours.
Those are real advantages, and for some people, it is the right move.
The cons most agents underestimate
You become responsible for compliance, supervision, and brokerage operations.
You are managing risk and liability at a higher level.
You need systems, tech, training, onboarding, and support infrastructure.
You need a plan for recruiting and retention, not just production.
You will spend time on the boring work that does not directly generate revenue.
The biggest hidden cost is not money. It is distraction.
Most agents do not actually want to be buried in broker‑owner duties. They want to sell more, build a team, scale their influence, and create long‑term wealth.
A better solution for many agents: build your “brokerage‑level” business inside eXp
eXp gives you the ability to build a real business with scale potential while offloading a lot of the operational weight that comes with being a broker‑owner. You can still build your brand. You can still build your team. You can still build leadership. You can still build something bigger than your own production. But you are not starting from scratch, and you are not carrying everything alone.
eXp’s model is widely known for its 80/20 split with a $16,000 annual cap. Once you cap, you keep 100 percent of your commissions for the remainder of your anniversary year, minus transaction fees.
ICON is a big piece of the math
If you are a producer, one of the most compelling parts of eXp is the ICON Agent program. At a high level, the ICON award can return the value of your cap back to you in company stock when you hit the program requirements, which starts with capping. So instead of viewing the cap as a pure expense, many agents treat it as part of a bigger wealth‑building strategy. The point is not just the split. The point is building on a platform that rewards production, contribution, and leadership.
Why eXp can help you grow bigger and faster
When you build inside eXp, you are not reinventing the wheel.
You get a proven platform.
You get support and infrastructure.
You can plug into national collaboration and training.
You can grow into leadership roles and be compensated for building people, not just closing deals.
If your goal is to scale quickly without taking on broker‑owner headaches too soon, this route is often the smarter move.
Let’s weigh the decision together
Starting a brokerage can be the right move. It can also be an expensive detour if what you really want is leverage, support, and scale.
If you are considering going independent, let’s talk through your goals, your current production, your overhead tolerance, and what kind of business you actually want to build.
Schedule a quick growth conversation.
We will map out the real pros and cons for your situation and help you make a decision you will feel good about a year from now.
