Your Paycheck Should Reflect Your Effort — Not Fees, Splits, and Hidden Costs
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If you’re a real estate agent, chances are you didn’t get into this business to hand over a huge chunk of your income to a brokerage every year. You got licensed to build something of your own, control your earnings, and be rewarded for the work you put in.
Yet for many agents, that’s not how it feels anymore.
Between high commission splits, franchise fees, desk fees, technology charges, marketing costs, and surprise expenses, it’s easy to feel like you’re working harder than ever… while keeping less of what you earn.
As agents reflect on their goals and income at the start of a new year, one question keeps coming up: Is my brokerage helping me grow—or holding me back?
The Real Cost of Traditional Commission Splits
On paper, many brokerages advertise attractive splits. In reality, those numbers rarely tell the full story.
Agents often deal with:
- High percentage splits that never improve
- Franchise fees taken off the top
- Monthly desk or office fees
- Mandatory tech platforms they don’t fully use
- Marketing costs passed directly to the agent
- “Small” charges that quietly add up over the year
By the time you do the math, your actual take-home pay can be far lower than expected—even in a strong year.
Why More Agents Are Questioning the Model
Many agents are discovering that traditional brokerage structures are designed to benefit the company first, not the agent.
Common frustrations we hear:
- Feeling like a number, not a person
- Limited access to leadership
- Little flexibility in how you run your business
- Paying for systems that don’t generate real value
- Watching top producers earn the same split as newer agents
That’s why more agents are asking a smarter question: What if my brokerage worked for me—not the other way around?
A Clearer, Fairer Approach at Great Lakes Real Estate
At Great Lakes Real Estate, the commission structure is simple and transparent.
Agents work toward a $10,000 cap, and once that cap is reached, they earn 100% commission for the rest of the year.
No confusing tiers. No moving goalposts. No hidden fees designed to claw back your earnings.
For many agents, hitting their cap isn’t a pipe dream—it’s a reality. And once they do, every closing after that directly benefits their bottom line.
Support Without the Corporate Overhead
Earning more only matters if you’re supported along the way.
Great Lakes agents benefit from:
- Local leadership that’s accessible and invested
- Real training—not canned webinars
- In-house marketing and design support
- Leads and systems that actually convert
- Technology that enhances business, not complicates it
- A collaborative culture instead of internal competition
You’re not paying for a national brand name—you’re investing in real support that helps you close more deals.
Local, Independent, and Agent-Focused
Unlike big-box brokerages, Great Lakes Real Estate is locally owned and operated. That means decisions are made with Western New York agents in mind—not shareholders, franchises, or corporate boards hundreds of miles away.
Agents here aren’t just tolerated—they’re valued.
If You’re Doing the Math… You’re Not Alone
If you’ve found yourself looking at your year-end numbers and wondering:
- Why you’re paying so much to your brokerage
- Why your income doesn’t reflect your effort
- Whether there’s a smarter way to run your business
…it might be time for a conversation.
Switching brokerages isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about aligning your goals with a model that makes sense—for your income, your time, and your future.
If you’re curious what a clearer commission structure and real local support could look like, Great Lakes Real Estate is always open for a confidential conversation. Call (716) 754-2550.
