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Your commission structure shapes who you attract, how predictable your revenue is, and how you compete for agents. Get it wrong and you lose top producers or squeeze margins; get it right and you build a sustainable, recruitable brokerage.
One table. Three models. Then we break down who each one fits and how to run it in 2026.
Brokerage takes % of every deal
Brokerage earns fees only
Rewards high producers
Commission splits define how gross commission income (GCI) is divided between the brokerage and the agent. Your costs, target agent profile, and local market dictate the right mix. Below we break down each model so you can choose—or blend—with confidence. Compare 100% vs traditional in depth; NAR and regional norms vary.
The brokerage takes a percentage of every deal—e.g. 70/30, 80/20, or tiered splits that improve as production grows (e.g. 70/30 until a cap, then 90/10). Pros: Predictable brokerage revenue; easy to model and budget. Common in full-service firms that offer strong brand, training, and support. Who it fits: Brokerages that want steady revenue and agents who value support over keeping every dollar. You can still add caps to reward top producers and improve retention.
The agent keeps 100% of commission and pays the brokerage a flat desk fee, per-transaction fee, or monthly fee. Brokerage revenue comes from fees, not a percentage of GCI. Pros: Attracts agents who want to keep more of what they earn and are willing to pay for a la carte value (tech, E&O, address). Who it fits: Brokerages that can run lean and volume-focused; agents who are self-sufficient and price-sensitive on splits. Fee levels and volume drive brokerage revenue, so unit economics matter.
The agent pays the brokerage a split until they hit a cap (e.g. $X per year); after that, they keep 100% of additional commission (minus any fees). Pros: Rewards high producers and is a strong recruiting and retention tool. Who it fits: Brokerages that want to attract and keep top producers without going full 100%; agents who expect to exceed the cap and want to keep more after that. Set the cap based on your costs and profit margins.
Teams need hierarchy and split rules (lead agent, buyer agent, referral splits). Your transaction and commission software must handle any structure—Brokurz runs splits, caps, and fees in one operating system. Team structure and margins guide design. Contact Brokurz to see how.
In a 100% model, agents keep 100% of their commission and pay the brokerage a flat fee, desk fee, or per-transaction fee instead of a split. The brokerage’s revenue comes from fees rather than a percentage of commission.
Traditional splits divide commission between agent and brokerage—e.g. 70/30 or 80/20. The brokerage may offer higher splits for top producers or after a cap (amount paid to the brokerage per year).
A cap is a maximum amount the agent pays to the brokerage in a given period (e.g. per year). After the cap is met, the agent keeps 100% of additional commission (minus any fees). Caps reward high producers.
Consider your costs, target agent profile, and competitive market. Traditional splits provide predictable brokerage revenue; 100% and cap models attract agents who want to keep more of what they earn. Technology that supports any model—like Brokurz—lets you run splits, caps, and payouts accurately in one operating system.
Yes. Many brokerages offer multiple options—e.g. traditional for newer agents and a cap or 100% track for established producers. Your software must support different structures per agent or team. Brokurz handles multiple split models, caps, and fees in one platform so you can tailor offers without manual work.
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