The Truth About Traditional Brokerages vs. REAL | 5 Big Differences

Most agents spend their entire careers at a traditional brokerage without ever doing the math on what it's actually costing them. Clayton Gits breaks down the five biggest differences between traditional brokerages and REAL Brokerage, so you can make a fully informed decision before your next move.

Difference #1: The Commission Split Math

Traditional brokerages typically start agents at a 70/30 or 60/40 split, meaning the brokerage keeps 30 to 40 cents of every dollar you earn. REAL operates on an 85/15 split with a $12,000 annual cap, meaning once you've contributed $12,000 in splits, you keep 100% for the rest of the year. For an agent doing 20+ transactions annually, the difference runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year.

Difference #2: Equity and Ownership

Traditional franchises offer agents no ownership stake in the company. You build their brand, recruit for their network, and generate their revenue, and you leave with nothing but your contacts. REAL is publicly traded, and agents earn stock through production milestones and revenue share. Over time, that equity compounds. Several REAL agents have built six-figure stock portfolios through the platform's incentive structure.

Difference #3: Technology That's Actually Included

Traditional brokerages have been notoriously slow to adopt technology, and when they do, it often comes with an additional monthly fee. REAL's platform includes Leo AI, the REAL Wallet fintech tool, a mobile-first transaction management system, and the digital assistant, all included in the cost of being a REAL agent. Clayton breaks down the dollar value of what you'd pay to replicate this stack elsewhere.

Differences #4 and #5: Culture and Support

The fifth difference is often the one that surprises agents the most: REAL's community and support model. Weekly live masterminds through REAL Academy, a network of 35,000+ agents sharing strategies, and a leadership team that includes active producers like Ken Pozek sitting on the board of directors. This is not a corporate hierarchy. It's a peer network that scales. Watch the full video for the complete breakdown of all five differences.