Congratulations on your license. Now comes the decision that shapes your first two years more than anything else: where you hang it.

I'm Rob Bergeron, Owner–Realtor of Winner Realty in Louisville. I got my license in 2013, and I've worked at four brokerages before starting my own. I'm going to tell you what I'd look for if I were starting today. I'll also tell you about us, but you should ask every brokerage the same questions.

What the data says about your first years

New agents tend to stay put early. In an August 2026 reader poll from The Close, 43% of agents licensed two to five years had never switched brokerages. That makes your first pick a big one.

Production takes time to build. In the National Association of REALTORS®' October 2026 analysis, none of the agents with two years or less who switched firms did more than $8 million in volume. Among movers with 6 to 10 years, 17% did. Your first brokerage's job is to get you from one to the other.

1. Low fixed costs while you're building

Your first year will have months with no closings. A big monthly fee in those months hurts. Look for a plan with a low monthly cost and a split that makes sense while your income is uneven. You can move to a better split once you're producing.

2. Someone who actually answers the phone

You will have questions on every contract, every inspection, and every appraisal. Ask who you call, how fast they answer, and whether it costs you anything. A broker who's too busy for new agents is the wrong broker for a new agent.

3. Real deal flow, not just a lead bill

New agents don't have a sphere that's sending them deals yet. Ask where company leads come from, how they're split up, and what they cost you. Be careful with programs that charge you for leads and then take a big referral fee on top.

4. Contract-to-close help

The paperwork side of a deal is where new agents lose sleep and sometimes lose deals. Ask whether there's transaction support and what it costs.

5. Training for the business you want

Ask what kind of agents the brokerage trains best. If you want to work with investors, rentals, or commercial deals someday, you want to be around people who do that every day.

6. Your licensing deadlines

In Kentucky, if you were licensed after January 1, 2016, you owe 48 hours of post-license education within two years of getting or activating your license, or the license is automatically cancelled. Make sure your brokerage helps you stay on top of that. More on Kentucky licensing in Kentucky Real Estate License Requirements.

Where Winner Realty fits

We built a plan for new agents specifically. Our 60/40 plan is $50 a month to stay active, with a $295 fee per closing. The referral fee on company leads is just 10% on that plan, compared with 25% on our other plans. It's an entry point, not a ceiling. When you're producing, you can move up to our 85/15 or 100% plans.

• Residential and commercial leads in your inbox every morning at 6:30. We don't pay for portal leads.
• Broker support from Lisa Tucker, licensed in Kentucky and Indiana
• Contract-to-close support from our COO, Colleen Reilly
• An AI assistant you can text with questions anytime
• Investor and commercial deals through Winner Commercial, so you learn more than one side of the business
• A one-time $100 onboarding fee

We also connect every agent with people we trust: health insurance options, a CPA, lenders, insurance and legal help. Here's that list: Our Trusted Partner Network for New Agents.

We don't promise income. We'll show you exactly what you'd be working with, and you can call any of our agents and ask how they're supported.

Book a time with me here, or text or email me at (502) 305-8915 or Rob@thewinnerrealty.com. You can see all three of our plans on our Join page.

Already licensed a while and thinking about a move? Read Why Real Estate Agents Switch Brokerages: What the 2026 Data Shows.

Frequently asked questions

What should a new real estate agent look for in a brokerage?

Low monthly costs, a broker who answers questions quickly, real lead flow that doesn't come with a big bill, contract-to-close support, and training in the kind of business you want to build.

How much does it cost to join a brokerage in Louisville as a new agent?

It varies a lot. At Winner Realty, our 60/40 plan for new and part-time agents is $50 a month plus a $295 fee per closing and a one-time $100 onboarding fee. Ask every brokerage for its full fee list in writing.

What post-license education do new Kentucky agents need?

Agents licensed in Kentucky after January 1, 2016, must complete 48 hours of post-license education within two years of receiving or activating their license, or the license is automatically cancelled.

Should a new agent join a team or a brokerage?

Either can work. A team can give you leads and close mentoring, but you'll usually pay a team split on top of the brokerage split. If you go with a team, read the team agreement carefully. Here's what to know about leaving a team later.