When agents compare brokerages, the split gets all the attention. But the split is only one line on the bill. What matters is how much you actually keep at the number of deals you actually close.

I'm Rob Bergeron, Owner–Realtor of Winner Realty in Louisville. Here's how the pieces work, then the math.

The pieces of a brokerage plan

• Split: the share of each commission you keep. An 85/15 split means you keep 85% and the brokerage keeps 15%.
• Cap: some brokerages stop taking their split after you've paid a set amount in a year. Ask exactly what counts toward it.
• Monthly fee: what you pay every month whether or not you close. Sometimes called a desk fee.
• Transaction fee: a flat fee on each closing.
• Referral fee on company leads: an extra share the brokerage keeps when it gave you the lead.
• Other fees: technology, errors and omissions insurance, marketing, onboarding.

A 100% plan flips the model. You keep the whole commission and pay a bigger flat monthly fee instead of a split.

What typical agents earn

For context, NAR's 2026 Member Profile, as reported by RISMedia, found the typical Realtor had nine transaction sides in 2025 and median income of $59,200. When most of your year is nine or so deals, a few thousand dollars in fees is a big share of what you take home.

The math, side by side

Here are Winner Realty's two plans for experienced agents. The 100% plan is $595 a month plus $295 per closing. The 85/15 plan is $100 a month, plus 15% and $295 per closing. For this example, say your average commission is $7,500 per closing, all from business you brought in yourself. Your real numbers will be different.

5 closings a year ($37,500 in commission)

• 100% plan: you pay $8,615 and keep $28,885
• 85/15 plan: you pay $8,300 and keep $29,200
• The 85/15 plan saves you $315

12 closings a year ($90,000)

• 100% plan: you pay $10,680 and keep $79,320
• 85/15 plan: you pay $18,240 and keep $71,760
• The 100% plan saves you $7,560

25 closings a year ($187,500)

• 100% plan: you pay $14,515 and keep $172,985
• 85/15 plan: you pay $36,700 and keep $150,800
• The 100% plan saves you $22,185

The break-even point is $39,600 in yearly commission. At $7,500 per closing, that's a little over five closings a year. Below that, the 85/15 plan costs less. Above it, the 100% plan does, and the gap grows with every deal.

Where the 60/40 plan fits

Our third plan is built for a different agent. The 60/40 plan is $50 a month to stay active, plus $295 per closing, with a smaller 10% referral fee on leads the company gives you (25% on the other two plans). It's for newer agents, part-time agents, and agents whose production is uneven, especially those working mostly from company leads. It keeps your fixed cost as low as possible while you build. Once you're bringing in your own business steadily, one of the other two plans will likely put more in your pocket, and you can switch.

Questions to ask about any plan

• Is there a cap, and what exactly counts toward it?
• What's the fee on company leads, and is it on top of the split?
• Who pays for errors and omissions insurance?
• Are there fees that aren't on the recruiting sheet?
• Can I change plans if my production changes?

Here's the full list: Questions to Ask a Brokerage Before You Join.

Why the split isn't everything

The cheapest plan with no deal flow and no support can cost you more than a fair plan that helps you close. At Winner Realty, every plan comes with residential and commercial leads in your inbox every morning at 6:30, broker support from Lisa Tucker, and contract-to-close help from our COO, Colleen Reilly. Full details are on our Join page.

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.

For why agents switch in the first place, read Why Real Estate Agents Switch Brokerages: What the 2026 Data Shows.

Frequently asked questions

What is a commission split in real estate?

It's how each commission is divided between you and your brokerage. On an 85/15 split, you keep 85% and the brokerage keeps 15%. Most plans also have monthly and per-closing fees, so compare what you keep in total, not just the split.

Is a 100% commission brokerage worth it?

It depends on your volume. A 100% plan charges a higher flat monthly fee instead of a split. At Winner Realty, with a $7,500 average commission, the 100% plan beats the 85/15 plan above roughly $39,600 in yearly commission, a little over five closings.

What is a cap in a real estate split?

A cap is the most the brokerage will take from your splits in a year. Once you hit it, you keep 100% until the year resets. Ask exactly what counts toward the cap and what fees still apply after you hit it.

How much does the average real estate agent make?

NAR's 2026 Member Profile found median Realtor income was $59,200 in 2025, with the typical agent closing nine transaction sides.