A few weeks ago I sat down with an agent who is on a 95/5 split at their current brokerage. When we went through the numbers, it was staggering & eye opening on how much of their commission this top agent has left on the table over the past 8 years. I wanted to share how I broke down the numbers for her.
Most agents compare brokerages by asking one simple question: “What’s the commission split?” But I think that’s the wrong question. The better question is: “How much of my wealth will I give away over the next 8 years?”
Let’s look at her real-world example.
Assumptions:
- Average of 25 transactions per year
- $500,000 average sales price
- 3% commission
- $375,000 annual Gross Commission Income (GCI)
Annual Brokerage Cost Comparison
| Palm Circle Realty (PCR) | 95/5 Brokerage (No Cap) |
| Gross Commission Earned | $375,000 | $375,000 |
| Brokerage Split | $0 | $18,750 |
| Transaction Fees | $12,375* | Varies |
| Monthly Fees | $0 | Varies |
| Desk Fees | $0 | Varies |
| Royalty Fees | $0 | Varies |
| Risk Management Fees | $0 | Varies |
| Onboarding Fees | $0 | Varies |
| Minimum Annual Cost | $12,375 | $18,750+ |
| Net Commission | $362,625 | $356,250 or less |
*Based on $495 per transaction.
Here’s the part many agents overlook…
As agents, we all know that transaction fees can often be negotiated as a buyer or seller closing cost, meaning the client—not the agent—pays the fee, or a portion thereof (as long as it is disclosed and agreed upon by all parties)
If that happens…
-Your brokerage split is still 0%
-Your transaction fee is effectively $0
-You keep 100% of your commission
The Wealth Accumulation Comparison
Most agents don’t stay in business for one year & the agent I was meeting with had been in business with the same brokerage, on the same 95/5 split for 8 years.
| Palm Circle Realty | 95/5 Brokerage |
| Gross Commission Earned | $3,000,000 | $3,000,000 |
| Paid to Brokerage (Minimum) | $0 | $150,000+ |
| Additional Fees | Minimal | Additional |
| Money You Keep | Up to $3,000,000 | $2,850,000 or less |
Difference over 8 years: $150,000+!!!
That’s before factoring in:
- monthly fees
- desk fees
- franchise royalties
- technology fees
- compliance fees
- risk management fees
- other brokerage charges
The real difference is often significantly greater.
What Could $150,000 Buy?
Instead of paying it to your brokerage…
It could become:
- The down payment on one or more investment properties
- A retirement portfolio
- College tuition
- A luxury vehicle
- A real estate assistant or buyer’s agent
- A marketing budget that grows your business
- Financial freedom
Every commission check you earn is an opportunity to build your wealth—or someone else’s.
We Believe the Commission Belongs to the Agent Who Earned It.
You generated the lead. You built the relationship. You negotiated the contract. You solved the problems. You got the deal to the closing table.
Why should someone else continue taking a percentage of your success year after year?
At Palm Circle Realty, our goal is simple: Help great agents keep more of what they earn while providing the support, systems, and community they need to grow.
If you’ve ever wondered what your business would look like if you stopped giving away a percentage of every closing, I’d love to have a conversation.
Let’s run the numbers together.
Upcoming Classes & Webinars
| 🌴 August 5 Palm Circle Realty Beach Day at Daytona Beach Shores If you’re an agent who’s been thinking about making a move—or you’re simply curious about what Palm Circle Realty is all about—I’d love for you to experience our culture firsthand. Reach out to me directly for more details! 💻 August 6 | 2:00 PM (Zoom) Investor Webinar: The 2026 Tax Window: How Investors Are Turning Short-Term Rentals Into Six-Figure Deductions Everyone is welcome to attend! Register Here https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/KzHS1vS/2026taxwindow 🤖 August 19 | 12:00 PM (Zoom) Claude Cowork for Real Estate Agents: The Advanced Workflow Workshop Register Here https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kHsC0VS/claudeadvanced Missed the first two Claude Cowork webinars? Watch the replays here: Why Smart Agents Are Switching from ChatGPT to Claude Cowork https://youtu.be/-6YG9ZDVWdk Claude Cowork for Real Estate Agents: The Intermediate Workflow Workshop https://youtu.be/dCWB-mvDpSA 💰 August 26 | 12:00 PM (Zoom) Break the Split: The Painful Truth About Commission Splits in 2026 Register Here https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/v1VXuY3/CommissionSplitTrap |
Looking forward to seeing you there!
