Last updated: November 9, 2026 · By Leo Robles, founder of Let's Grow Movement, brokered by eXp Realty
Short answer: A real estate commission split is how your gross commission is shared between you and your brokerage, such as 80/20 where you keep 80%. A cap is the most you pay the brokerage in split each year; after you hit it, you keep 100% of your commission for the rest of that year, though some per-deal fees may still apply.
So a "good" split is not just a big percentage. It is the deal that leaves you the most money after every fee, with the support you need to close more. Below are the terms, a worked example and a checklist to compare offers. For every guide, start at the Let's Grow Hub.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Commission split | How each commission check is divided between you and your brokerage, written as your share first (80/20 means you keep 80%). |
| Cap | The most you pay your brokerage in split during a set year. After you reach it, you keep 100% of your commission until the year resets. |
| Cap year | When the cap resets. Some brokerages use January 1, and others use your join anniversary. |
| 100% commission | A model with no split. You keep the whole commission but usually pay monthly or per-transaction fees instead. |
| Desk or monthly fee | A fixed fee you pay whether or not you close a deal. |
| Transaction fee | A flat fee charged on each closed deal, which can continue after you cap. |
| Team split | A second split between you and your team, on top of the brokerage split, usually in return for leads, training or support. |
This example uses round numbers to show the math. It is not a prediction of what you will earn.
Say your brokerage pays you 80/20 with a $16,000 cap, and each deal brings $10,000 in gross commission:
In other words, at 80/20 you reach a $16,000 cap after about $80,000 in gross commission. To see this at different deal counts, use eXp cap math by deal count.
There is no single right number. As a new agent, the split matters less than whether you close your first deals. A higher split with no training can leave you with less money than a lower split where someone helps you win and close business. Judge any offer on three things:
New to the business? Read is eXp Realty good for new agents?
More questions: questions to ask a brokerage before you join.
Here is how one brokerage publishes its numbers, so you can see the terms in practice. Confirm the current figures on eXp's site before you decide.
| Item | eXp Realty (U.S.) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Commission split | 80/20 until you cap | exprealty.com/income |
| Annual cap | $16,000, reset on your join anniversary | exprealty.com/income |
| After you cap | You keep 100% of commission; $250 per deal for your next 20 deals, then $75 per deal | exprealty.com/income; Leo Robles |
| Start-up fee | $149, once | exprealty.com/join-exp |
| Monthly cloud brokerage fee | $85 | exprealty.com/join-exp |
| Broker review fee | $25 per transaction | exprealty.com/join-exp |
| Risk management fee | $60 per deal, capped at $750 per year | Leo Robles |
| Team split | Team caps vary by team; ask your sponsor | — |
For the full breakdown, see eXp Realty fees and cap and 100% commission brokerages vs eXp.
Leo Robles is the founder of Let's Grow Movement, brokered by eXp Realty, and is known to many agents as Mr. AI. He has about 20 years in sales and real estate leadership and has helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure. Today he leads a large, active agent community, runs the free Monday Power Up and coaches agents on using AI in their business. Learn more at leorobles.ai.
LGM is a large, active agent community, and there is no fee to join Let's Grow Movement.
Leo's Google Business Profile shows a 5.0 rating from 187 reviews (checked Oct 24, 2026). A few, quoted as written:
“Leo is an exceptional leader and true innovator in real estate. He’s always finding creative ways to help agents grow.”
— Jaqueline P., Google review
“He explains everything in a clear, practical way and genuinely wants to see you succeed.”
— Veronica H., Google review
“Thank you, Leo, for all the valuable information and support you’ve brought to this community!”
— Alvaro L., Google review
“I’ve learned so much valuable information from him — not just about real estate and business, but also about how to think bigger and operate at a higher level.”
— Kinana A., Google review
A commission split is how your gross commission check is divided between you and your brokerage. On an 80/20 split, you keep 80% and the brokerage keeps 20%. Teams often add a second split between you and the team, so read both agreements.
A cap is the most you pay your brokerage in company split during a set year. Once you have paid that amount, you keep 100% of your commission for the rest of the year, though per-deal fees may still apply. At eXp Realty, for example, the split is 80/20 until a $16,000 annual cap, and the year runs from your join anniversary.
There is no single right number. A good split is the one that leaves you the most money after every fee while still giving you the training and support you need to close deals. A higher split with no help can earn you less than a lower split with real coaching, so compare your total yearly cost and your support, not only the percentage.
Not always. 100% commission brokerages usually charge monthly or per-transaction fees instead of a split, so your real cost depends on how many deals you close and what is included. Run your own numbers at your expected deal count. See our comparison of 100% commission brokerages vs eXp.
When you join a team, the team usually takes a share of your commission on top of the brokerage split, often in return for leads, training or support. Team caps vary by team; ask your sponsor or team leader and get the team split, any cap and what you get for it in writing.
It depends on the brokerage. Some reset on the calendar year and some on your join anniversary. At eXp Realty, the cap resets on your anniversary date, not in January.
Add any start-up fee, monthly or desk fees, per-transaction fees, risk management or E&O fees, fees after you cap, and your own MLS, board and association dues. Then compare total yearly cost at the number of deals you expect to close.
No. Your split, cap and fees at eXp are the same no matter who sponsors you. What a sponsor changes is the training and support you get. There is also no fee to join Let's Grow Movement.
Sources (checked November 9, 2026): eXp Realty's income page (80/20 split, $16,000 annual cap, 100% after cap) and join page (start-up, monthly and broker review fees). Risk management fee and post-cap per-deal fees as confirmed by Leo Robles from eXp's agent agreement. The split-and-cap example uses round numbers for illustration only. Let's Grow Movement details are from Leo Robles. Google reviews collected Oct 24, 2026. This page is general information, not a promise of income. Confirm current terms with any brokerage before you sign.