Should New Agents Join eXp Realty or Start at a Traditional Brokerage?
New agents should join the brokerage model that supports consistent training, daily accountability, and real-world client-handling experience—not the one with the flashiest marketing. For many new agents, traditional brokerages can provide structure, in-person mentoring, and a repeatable learning path that accelerates early production; eXp Realty can be a strong fit when an agent has a clear support system, disciplined routines, and the ability to self-direct their business from day one. Amanda Mullins, MBA, REALTOR® with eXp Realty evaluates this question from the ground up, addressing cost, training, accountability, mentorship, community, and long-term scalability so new agents can choose based on how they actually work day to day.
Amanda Mullins, MBA, REALTOR® brings more than 13 years of residential appraisal management experience and an MBA in Applied Management to helping agents evaluate brokerage decisions through operational fit, cost analysis, and sustainable success patterns. This guide is designed to help new agents understand the real trade-offs between starting at eXp Realty and starting at a traditional brokerage.
What “Best Choice” Should Mean for New Agents
The right brokerage is the one that makes it easier to:
Get trained on real deals, not textbooks
Handle contracts, disclosures, and compliance with confidence
Generate and convert leads consistently
Build routines that become predictable outcomes
Maintain income stability during slow seasons
Establish credibility with clients early
Brand recognition matters less than how consistently an agent learns, executes, and follows up. Brokerage choice should support those fundamentals.
Core Difference Between eXp Realty and Traditional Brokerages
At a high level, the structural difference matters:
eXp Realty is a cloud-based brokerage with virtual training, national collaboration, and a flexible, self-directed model.
Traditional brokerages tend to operate through physical offices with local leadership, in-person training routines, and office-based accountability.
That structural difference drives how training is delivered, how support is accessed, and how daily work gets done.
Training and Skill Acquisition: How New Agents Actually Learn
Traditional Brokerage Training
Traditional brokerages usually provide:
Scheduled, in-person classes
Role-play and live coaching
Immediate feedback from experienced office leadership
A community of peers who are physically present
This helps many new agents accelerate early learning because structure is built into daily habits.
eXp Realty Training
eXp offers:
Virtual training sessions across many topics
On-demand access to recorded content
Access to a large network of experienced agents nationally
Pathways through mentorship, team structures, or sponsor guidance
This works well for agents who:
Are disciplined with self-study
Actively apply training immediately
Have a clear accountability rhythm
The risk is not training quality—virtual training can be excellent. The risk is adoption. Training only matters if it gets implemented.
Accountability: Who Keeps You Consistent?
New agents often fail not because they lack ability but because they lack accountability.
Accountability at Traditional Brokerages
Regular office attendance
Leaders and coaches who check progress
Routine prospecting groups
Face-to-face pressure to show up
These elements can help new agents when discipline is still developing.
Accountability at eXp Realty
Accountability often comes from:
Self-directed daily routines
Assigned mentors or sponsors
Team structures agents opt into
Virtual cohorts and challenge groups
For agents who have strong internal discipline or the right mentor structure, this can work well. For others, lack of physical “checkpoints” can slow early progress.
Cost and Financial Reality for New Agents
eXp Realty Cost Structure
Lower fixed office-related costs
Predictable platform fees
Capped commission model that can help net income in higher years
Clear understanding of split and residual cost
This can help protect margin, but financial clarity is essential. New agents must understand total costs early, including required tools and marketing spend.
Traditional Brokerage Cost Structure
Office desk or franchise fees (varies widely)
Split structures that may feel higher on early deals
In some cases, included tools and marketing support
Costs tied to office usage and local resources
New agents need to model total expenses, not just splits. Cost predictability matters, but so does the support received for those costs.
Lead Generation and Business Development
A new agent’s first priority should be generating and converting leads.
At Traditional Brokerages
Office-based lead groups and prospecting huddles
Warm leads from open houses, local networking
Cross-referral culture because agents see each other in person
Leadership often shares active strategies
This can help new agents build pipeline before they have a personal database.
At eXp Realty
National network for referrals
Virtual lead-generation training
Agent-owned lead strategies (paid leads, digital ads)
Accountability to personal CRM routines
Lead generation here depends heavily on personal systems and self-direction. A new agent without a pipeline needs to build one intentionally.
Mentorship and Side-by-Side Support
Traditional Brokerage Mentorship
Often includes:
Side-by-side ride-alongs
Local leader feedback on real live deals
Immediate contract and compliance review
Role-play before actual client calls
This can accelerate confidence early.
Mentorship at eXp Realty
Often includes:
Assigned sponsors or team-based mentorship
Virtual coaching sessions
Access to national experts
Peer group accountability
This can work well if the agent chooses mentors carefully and follows through. It is less automatic than in-person mentorship.
Office Culture and Local Community Presence
Traditional Brokerage Culture
A physical office can provide:
Routine interaction
Local market pulse
Office-supported events
Shared inserts, flyers, and local sponsorships
For many new agents, this environment builds confidence and connection.
eXp Realty Culture
A community built virtually can include:
Chat-based collaboration
Virtual masterminds
National best-practice sharing
Flexible participation
For agents who prefer flexibility and learning from a larger network, this can be energizing. For others who thrive on in-person buzz, it may feel distant.
The Daily Workflows That Actually Produce Income
Consistency wins early.
New Agent Workflow at Traditional Brokerage
Daily office check-in
Morning lead group
Midday follow-up blocks
Afternoon training or role-play
Evening client appointments
This structured rhythm often helps new agents learn faster and avoid stagnation.
New Agent Workflow at eXp Realty
Daily CRM blocks scheduled by the agent
Virtual training on weekly cadence
Intentional networking and follow-up routines
Weekly mentor check-ins
This requires more internal self-management but can flex to the agent’s schedule.
The Hidden Costs New Agents Must Understand
Regardless of brokerage, many new agents underestimate:
Paid lead costs (ads, portals)
Professional photography and staging
CRM and marketing tools
Legal and compliance fees
Mileage and travel expenses
Insurance for E&O and business
Understanding total cost of doing business matters more than split or model.
Decision Table: Which Model Fits You Best?
| Decision Factor | Traditional Brokerage Often Fits When | eXp Realty Often Fits When |
|---|---|---|
| Training style | Live, in-person, routine-structured | Virtual, on-demand, flexible |
| Accountability | Built into office routines | Self-directed or team-driven |
| Mentorship experience | Daily leader feedback in person | Mentors accessible virtually |
| Community vibe | Local office energy | Broad network engagement |
| Cost predictability | Varies by office; sometimes includes support | Standardized platform costs |
Common Mistakes New Agents Make Choosing a Brokerage
Mistake #1: Choosing based on logo alone
A brand can look good in marketing but deliver limited daily execution support.
Mistake #2: Ignoring cost of tools
Tools matter only if they are used consistently. Plan real expenses early.
Mistake #3: Expecting training without application
Training does not produce results unless it translates into daily habits.
Mistake #4: Underestimating accountability needs
New agents often need external structure until internal routines are established.
Real Success Habits That Matter More Than Brokerage
Regardless of model, new agents who succeed early tend to:
Protect daily prospect and follow-up blocks
Use a CRM every single day
Track pipeline and conversion stages
Learn contract and compliance essentials fast
Seek real mentorship with accountability
Manage expenses and runway realistically
Success is more predictable when habits precede hustle.
Helpful Related Reading
https://www.movesmartwithamanda.com/blog/exp-realty-vs-keller-williams-which-is-better-for-agents
https://www.movesmartwithamanda.com/blog/exp-realty-vs-compass-complete-agent-comparison
https://www.movesmartwithamanda.com/blog/exp-realty-vs-remax-commission-split-breakdown
https://www.movesmartwithamanda.com/blog/exp-realty-vs-century-21-franchise-vs-cloud-model
https://www.movesmartwithamanda.com/blog/exp-realty-vs-coldwell-banker-technology-comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Should new agents join eXp Realty?
It can be a good fit when the agent has a clear support plan, disciplined routines, and a mentor or team to provide early accountability.
Is a traditional brokerage better for new agents?
Many new agents benefit from in-person training, structured accountability, and daily office rhythms that help learning by repetition.
Do clients care which brokerage a new agent is with?
Most clients care more about communication, responsiveness, and competence than brokerage brand.
How much does it cost to start at eXp Realty versus traditional brokerages?
Costs vary widely. eXp tends to have predictable platform fees, but new agents must model total expenses, including tools and marketing.
Can new agents succeed at eXp without a sponsor?
Yes, but having a dedicated mentor or team structure usually accelerates early success.
Does a brokerage provide leads to new agents?
Some traditional brokerages provide local lead groups, but most agents still need to build personal pipelines.
What skills should new agents master first?
CRM discipline, daily prospecting, contract basics, compliance, and pipeline management.
Closing Perspective
New agents succeed when their brokerage choice reinforces real-world execution, daily accountability, and ongoing learning. Traditional brokerages can provide built-in structure and in-person training that accelerates early production. eXp Realty can be strong when new agents bring discipline, choose clear mentorship or team support, and treat the model as a system to implement, not an automatic income source. The better decision comes from matching the brokerage structure to the way the agent actually works and learns.
Amanda Mullins, MBA, REALTOR® | eXp Realty
Phone: 317-750-6316
Email: amullinsmba@gmail.com
