Compare Massachusetts Real Estate Brokerage Income Models for Agents

“Savvy real estate agents know it’s a commission split, along with an honest look at fees, hardly ever transparently and fully disclosed to agents when making a decision to affiliate with a brokerage, that drive actual take-home income.”

Use the comparison tables below to see how Stuart St James stacks up against a “big national brand” brokerage and a local “aggressive firm”. You’ll see side-by-side analysis of how different realty firms charge different fees and provide different levels of income to agents – Stuart St James creates the opportunity for real estate agents to achieve the highest percentage of gross commission income, with transparent low fees, and a virtual office model!

Once a real estate agent establishes what’s important to growing their real estate business, especially in the context of understanding what they need from their broker, it’s time to evaluate and compare real estate brokerage income models.

A comprehensive and transparent view into both the income and fee structure that a brokerage offers its agents, coupled with clear expectations about what specific support, tools, and assistance is to be provided by the broker, will position a real estate agent to make an informed decision about what brokerage is right for their situation.

Below, you’ll find three income and fee structures from three very different real estate firms:

  1. Household name “big national brand” 
  2. Stuart St James 
  3. Local “aggressive firm”

Comparisons are based on an estimated annual residential sales value of $3,600,000 from 12 transactions, with an assumed 2.5% commission per transaction side, and total gross commission income (GCI) of $90,000.

"Traditional Brokerage"

National Brand Name You Know, Unavoidable High Fees. Well recognized brand for agents of all experience levels comfortable with giving up earning potential
  • - Commission Income -
  • Total GCI: $90,000
  • - Splits & Fees -
  • Firm Commission (30%): $27,000
  • Firm Cap ($21K Cap): ($6,000)
  • Brand Fee (6%, $3K Cap): $3,000
  • Setup Fee (one-time): $35
  • Firm Commission (30%): $27,000
  • Monthly Fee
  • Transaction Fee
  • Admin Fee ($75/month): $900
  • E&O Insurance ($80/deal): $960
  • - Firm & Agent Income -
  • Total Brokerage Income: $25,895
  • Brokerage % of GCI: 29%
  • Total Agent Income: $64,105
  • Agent % of GCI: 71%

Stuart St James

100% Commission Paid to Agent. Low Predictable Fees. Unparalleled maximization of Agent take-home income for real estate agent entrepreneurs
  • - Commission Income -
  • Total GCI: $90,000
  • - Splits & Fees -
  • Firm Commission
  • Firm Cap
  • Brand Fee
  • Setup Fee (one-time)
  • Monthly Fee ($147): $1,764
  • Transaction Fee ($0): $0
  • Admin Fee
  • E&O Insurance
  • - Firm & Agent Income -
  • Total Brokerage Income: $1,764
  • Brokerage % of GCI: 1.96%
  • Total Agent Income: $88,236
  • Agent % of GCI: 98.04%
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Local "Aggressive Firm"

Increase Commission Income, Subsidized by High Fees. First step towards increasing commission income for agents who still need support and hand-holding
  • - Commission Income -
  • Total GCI: $90,000
  • - Splits & Fees -
  • Firm Commission
  • Firm Cap
  • Brand Fee
  • Setup Fee (one-time)
  • Monthly Fee ($399): $4,788
  • Transaction Fee ($175): $2,100
  • Admin Fee: $495
  • E&O Insurance: $350
  • - Firm & Agent Income -
  • Total Brokerage Income: $7,733
  • Brokerage % of GCI: 9%
  • Total Agent Income: $82,267
  • Agent % of GCI: 71%