Real Estate Brokerage Startup Checklist: Everything you need to launch in 2026

Why a startup checklist matters

Most brokerages fail in the first two years, and it’s rarely because of market conditions. The common killers are:

• Missing compliance requirements that lead to fines or license suspension
• Underestimating operational costs and running out of capital
• Poor technology choices that create bottlenecks as you scale
• Incomplete legal structure that exposes personal assets

This checklist is organized by category and priority. Tackle the legal and compliance items first—they’re non-negotiable. Then move to operations and technology. The goal isn’t perfection on day one; it’s launching with a solid foundation that can scale as you grow.

Legal foundation (Weeks 1-2)

Get your legal structure right before you do anything else. This protects your personal assets and sets up your business for growth.

Entity formation

• Choose entity type: LLC (most common), Corporation (S-Corp or C-Corp), or Sole Proprietorship
  • LLC offers liability protection and pass-through taxation
  • Consult a CPA and attorney to choose the right structure
• Register with state: File articles of organization/incorporation
• Obtain EIN: Federal Employer Identification Number from IRS (free, takes ~15 minutes online)
• Register for state taxes: Sales tax, payroll tax (if hiring), and any local business licenses
• Operating agreement: Document ownership, profit distribution, and decision-making processes

Insurance

• Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance: Required in most states, protects against professional liability claims
• General liability insurance: Covers property damage and bodily injury
• Cyber liability insurance: Protects against data breaches (critical if handling client data)
• Workers’ compensation: Required if you have employees (varies by state)

Contracts and legal documents

• Independent contractor agreements: For agents (must comply with state and federal labor laws)
• Employment agreements: For staff (if hiring W-2 employees)
• Client service agreements: Listing agreements, buyer representation agreements
• Vendor contracts: MLS access, lockbox services, marketing vendors
• Privacy policy and terms of service: Required for website and data collection

Licensing & compliance (Weeks 2-4)

Real estate licensing is state-specific. These are the common requirements, but always verify with your state board.

Broker license requirements

• Active real estate license: Most states require 2-5 years of active agent experience before broker license
• Broker pre-licensing education: Additional coursework beyond agent license (varies by state, typically 60-180 hours)
• Broker license exam: State-specific examination
• Background check: Fingerprinting and criminal history review
• License application and fees: Submit to state real estate commission

State-specific requirements

• Designated broker: Some states require a designated broker (DB) or broker-in-charge (BIC) to oversee operations
• Trust account: Separate escrow account for client funds (required in most states)
• Trust account reconciliation: Monthly reconciliation and reporting requirements
• Record retention: Document storage requirements (typically 3-7 years)
• Continuing education: Ongoing CE requirements for license renewal

MLS and association memberships

• Local MLS membership: Required to list properties (application process, fees, and training)
• National Association of REALTORS® (NAR): If joining local REALTOR® association
• State REALTOR® association: Membership requirements vary
• Local REALTOR® board: Often required for MLS access

Business operations (Weeks 3-5)

Set up the day-to-day systems that keep your brokerage running smoothly.

Office setup

• Physical office (if required): Some states require a physical office address
  • Virtual office options may be available (check state requirements)
  • Consider coworking spaces or shared offices to reduce costs
• Business address: Registered agent address (can use virtual address service)
• Phone system: Business phone number (consider VoIP for flexibility)
• Mail handling: PO Box or virtual mailbox service

Policies and procedures

• Commission structure: Define splits, caps, fees, and CDA (Commission Draw Advance) policies
• Transaction procedures: Document workflow from contract to close
• Agent onboarding process: Checklist for new agent setup
• Compliance procedures: How you’ll monitor and enforce compliance
• Dispute resolution: Process for handling agent or client complaints

Document management

• File storage system: Secure, compliant document storage (cloud-based recommended)
• Record retention policy: What to keep, how long, and how to dispose
• Backup and security: Regular backups and encryption for sensitive data

Technology stack (Weeks 4-6)

Your technology choices will make or break your brokerage. Most ew brokerages cobble together 5-7 tools, which creates fragmentation and higher costs. Here’s what you need—and how Brokurz consolidates it.

Core systems (typically separate tools)

Total typical cost: $170-$610 per agent per month, plus base fees. For 10 agents, that’s $1,700-$6,100/month in software alone.

Additional technology needs

• Website: Professional brokerage website with IDX integration
• Email hosting: Business email addresses (Google Workspace or Microsoft 365)
• Accounting software: QuickBooks or similar for financial management
• Payment processing: For commission payouts (Stripe, ACH, or wire transfers)
• Marketing tools: Email marketing platform, social media management

Team & staffing (Weeks 5-7)

Decide what roles you need to fill and when. Many brokerages start lean and add staff as they grow.

Essential roles

• Broker/Owner: You (or designated broker if required by state)
• Transaction coordinator: Handles contract management and closing coordination (can start part-time or contract)
• Office administrator: Handles day-to-day operations, agent support (can start part-time)

Roles to add as you scale

• Marketing coordinator: Manages branding, content, and lead generation
• Recruiting manager: Focuses on agent acquisition and retention
• Training director: Develops and delivers agent training programs
• Compliance officer: Ensures regulatory compliance (critical as you grow)

Hiring considerations

• Independent contractors vs employees: Most agents are 1099 contractors; staff are typically W-2 employees
• Job descriptions: Clear roles and responsibilities
• Compensation structure: Salary, hourly, or commission-based
• Onboarding process: Training and orientation for new hires

Financial setup (Weeks 2-4)

Set up your financial infrastructure before you start operations.

Banking

• Business checking account: Separate from personal accounts
• Escrow/trust account: Required in most states for client funds
• Business savings account: For reserves and cash flow management
• Business credit card: For expenses and building credit

Accounting

• Accounting software: QuickBooks, Xero, or similar
• Chart of accounts: Set up income and expense categories
• Bookkeeping system: Track income, expenses, and payables
• Monthly reconciliation: Reconcile bank accounts and trust accounts monthly

Commission and payroll

• Commission calculation system: Track splits, caps, fees, and CDAs
• Payout schedule: Define when commissions are paid (e.g., net 15, net 30)
• Payroll system: If hiring W-2 employees (Gusto, ADP, or similar)
• Tax withholding: Set up federal and state tax accounts

Marketing & branding (Weeks 6-8)

Build your brand and marketing foundation before you launch.

Brand identity

• Business name: Choose a name that’s available and not trademarked
• Logo and brand assets: Professional logo, color palette, typography
• Brand guidelines: Document how your brand should be used

Website and online presence

• Brokerage website: Professional site with IDX integration
• SEO optimization: Local SEO for your market
• Social media profiles: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram (business accounts)
• Google Business Profile: Claim and optimize your listing

Marketing materials

• Business cards and letterhead: Professional printed materials
• Email templates: Client communications, ewsletters
• Listing presentation materials: Pitch decks and marketing collateral
• Agent recruitment materials: Recruiting packets and presentations

How Brokurz simplifies your launch

Instead of integrating 7+ separate tools, Brokurz gives you a single operating system that handles everything from day one.

What Brokurz replaces

• CRM & Lead Management: Built-in CRM with lead routing and automation
• Transaction Management: End-to-end deal tracking from contract to close
• Commission Tracking: Automated commission calculations, splits, caps, and CDAs
• E-Signature & Forms: Integrated e-signature and document management
• Agent Training: Built-in LMS and onboarding workflows
• Reporting & Analytics: Real-time dashboards and production reports
• Communication: Internal messaging, announcements, and task management

Benefits for new brokerages

• Lower startup costs: One platform instead of 7+ subscriptions
• Faster setup: Get operational in days, not months
• Built-in compliance: Automated workflows that enforce best practices
• Scalability: Grows with you from 5 to 500 agents
• White-label option: Brand it as your own platform

Talk to our team about how Brokurz can streamline your launch and reduce your technology costs by 60-80%.

90-day launch timeline

Here’s a realistic timeline for launching your brokerage. Some steps can run in parallel; others must be sequential.

Days 1-30: Foundation

• Week 1: Entity formation, EIN, business registration
• Week 2: Broker license application (if needed)
• Week 3: Insurance quotes and policies
• Week 4: Banking setup, trust account

Days 31-60: Operations

• Week 5: Technology stack selection and setup
• Week 6: MLS and association memberships
• Week 7: Policies and procedures documentation
• Week 8: Staff hiring and onboarding

Days 61-90: Launch

• Week 9: Marketing and branding finalization
• Week 10: Agent recruitment and onboarding
• Week 11: Soft launch with pilot agents
• Week 12: Official launch and marketing push

Note: Licensing timelines vary significantly by state. Some states process broker licenses in 2-4 weeks; others take 8-12 weeks. Factor this into your timeline.

FAQ: Real estate brokerage startup

How much money do I need to start a brokerage?

Most brokerages need $25,000-$100,000 in startup capital, depending on:

• State licensing and compliance costs
• Office space (if required)
• Technology and software
• Marketing and branding
• Operating reserves (3-6 months of expenses)

Virtual brokerages built on platforms like Brokurz can launch for significantly less—often $15,000-$40,000—because they eliminate office costs and consolidate technology.

Do I need a physical office?

It depends on your state. Some states require a physical office address; others allow virtual offices. Even if a physical office isn’t required, consider whether it helps with agent recruitment and client trust in your market.

How many agents do I need to break even?

Most brokerages need 8-15 productive agents to break even, depending on your commission structure and overhead. With a virtual model and consolidated technology (like Brokurz), you can often break even with 5-8 agents. See our profit margins guide for detailed modeling.

Can I start part-time?

Technically yes, but it’s challenging. Brokerage operations require significant time for compliance, agent support, and business development. Most successful brokerages are full-time commitments. Consider starting with a team or partnership model if you need to maintain other income sources.

What’s the biggest mistake new brokerages make?

Underestimating operational complexity and technology costs. Many brokerages launch without proper systems, then struggle with compliance, commission tracking, and agent support. Using a platform like Brokurz that handles operations from day one helps avoid these pitfalls.

How long does it take to get licensed?

Broker licensing timelines vary by state:

• Pre-licensing education: 2-6 weeks (if needed)
• Exam scheduling: 1-2 weeks
• Application processing: 2-12 weeks (varies significantly)

Total: 5-20 weeks, depending on your state. Check with your state real estate commission for current processing times.