Massive Agent Podcast: One Year After Leaving eXp Realty for REAL – Was It Worth It?

Host: Dustin Brohm
Release Date: March 20, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "One Year After Leaving eXp Realty for REAL – Was It Worth It?", Dustin Brohm delves deep into his pivotal decision to transition from eXp Realty to REAL Realty a year prior. He provides a comprehensive analysis of the motivations behind his move, the challenges faced during the transition, and the outcomes that followed. This detailed reflection offers invaluable insights for real estate professionals contemplating similar career shifts.

The Decision to Leave eXp Realty

Dustin begins by recounting his extensive six-year tenure at eXp Realty, where he managed a substantial network of 340 agents. Despite the impressive revenue share, he encountered growing frustrations that prompted him to explore alternatives.

Dustin Brohm (09:30): “Revenue share was, you know, five figures a month plus. And I'm like, does it make any sense to leave that behind and start over at zero? It freaked me out.”

His primary concern centered around the sustainability and growth potential of eXp's revenue share model, coupled with organizational stagnation and retention issues. These factors collectively sparked his search for a more robust and agent-centric brokerage.

Cultural Shift and Community

A significant factor influencing Dustin's decision was the cultural environment within the brokerages. At eXp, despite its large size, he felt limited by internal silos and competition among agent groups, which stifled collaboration and inclusivity.

Dustin Brohm (15:45): “REAL outlaws those silos... No, they don't want you to join them, you want to join me. And you know that in looking back, that just creates. It's not as collaborative, it's just not as collaborative, it's just not as inclusive.”

In contrast, REAL Realty fostered a unified and supportive community where collaboration was the norm. This inclusive culture eliminated the competitive silos, allowing agents to access training, masterminds, and support irrespective of their individual teams or sponsors.

Dustin Brohm (22:10): “At REAL, any agent is included, invited, they get access no matter what. No more of this, hey, I want to join your mastermind, but I'm not part of your downline.”

Stock and Equity Model

Dustin critically evaluated the equity programs of both brokerages. While eXp was a pioneer in offering stock awards and options, he grew skeptical about the long-term viability and growth potential of their stock.

Dustin Brohm (28:55): “I started to not believe that it was the best investment. I stopped investing in the stock because I didn't think it would continue to grow.”

Conversely, REAL's equity program impressed him with its generosity and growth prospects. He highlighted REAL's focus on building a credible platform and financial technology, which he believed positioned their stock for significant appreciation.

Dustin Brohm (34:20): “REAL is better. It's more generous. I believe there's a real chance of doubling, maybe tripling our stock.”

Brand Credibility and Recognition

Brand reputation played a crucial role in agent recruitment and retention. eXp faced challenges with negative publicity, including allegations that harmed its public perception and made it difficult for agents to promote their association confidently.

Dustin Brohm (40:15): “There was one time within the last month I was there, I had an agent who... didn't want to put up an eXp sign in their front yard because they didn't want to be associated with the brand.”

In contrast, REAL's burgeoning reputation and positive industry presence made it easier for Dustin to attract high-quality agents without the baggage of negative associations.

Dustin Brohm (43:30): “Coming to REAL, it's been so much easier to establish credibility and brand recognition with agents... They already have a positive, for the most part, like I'd say 99.99%.”

Training and Agent Support

Effective training and support systems are vital for agent success. eXp offered extensive training through eXp University, but Dustin found the platform disorganized and inaccessible, leading to underutilization among agents.

Dustin Brohm (50:25): “It was like technology wise it's just a cluster... impossible to find anything.”

In contrast, REAL provided a streamlined and centralized training platform, REAL Academy, which housed all training materials, live sessions, and replays in one accessible location. This approach significantly enhanced agent engagement and skill development.

Dustin Brohm (55:10): “REAL Academy is so simple... every training, every course, every mastermind is housed... and they record everything all in one central place.”

Compensation Plan and Financials

Dustin compared the financial structures of eXp and REAL, focusing on commission splits, caps, and fees. REAL offered a more favorable split (85/15) with a lower cap ($12,000) compared to eXp’s 80/20 split and $16,000 cap. Additionally, REAL eliminated monthly fees, making it financially advantageous for the majority of agents.

Dustin Brohm (59:45): “It is more financially attractive for 99% of agents to be at REAL. Lower splits, no monthly fees... it makes sense financially.”

He emphasized that this financial model not only benefited individual agents but also facilitated faster revenue share attainment, enhancing overall profitability.

Technology and Systems

Advanced technology and efficient systems are critical for modern real estate operations. Dustin praised REAL's bespoke tech infrastructure, which integrated essential tools into a single platform, enhancing productivity and reducing administrative burdens.

Dustin Brohm (1:05:30): “REAL has a completely different backend system. One app, one login to manage your entire business... there's AI built into it... It just grabs it for you.”

In contrast, he criticized eXp’s fragmented and cumbersome tech setup, which he felt hindered agent efficiency and effectiveness.

Leadership and Broker Support

Effective leadership and broker support are paramount for agent success and satisfaction. Dustin lauded REAL's leadership team for their focus on initiatives that directly benefit agents, contrasting this with eXp’s broader, less focused approach.

Dustin Brohm (1:10:40): “Our leadership is superior at the personal level... REAL only cares about going deep. We just go deep and if it's not going to move the needle for the average agent, we're not going to do it.”

Financial Outcomes and Agent Growth

One of the most compelling aspects of Dustin's transition was the rapid financial return and agent network expansion at REAL. Within 40 days, he matched the revenue share he previously earned at eXp, validating his decision.

Dustin Brohm (1:20:15): “It took me 40 days to earn as much revenue share from REAL as I was earning after six years at eXp with 340 agents.”

Moreover, the agent network at REAL grew exponentially, with Dustin personally bringing in 55 agents in the first year compared to 72 over six years at eXp, underscoring the effectiveness of REAL’s model in attracting and retaining talent.

Dustin Brohm (1:25:50): “55 in one year at REAL. Yes, it's been a better financial decision for me because it's been a better financial decision for those 725 agents in my network.”

Conclusion: Was It Worth It?

Dustin unequivocally endorses his decision to leave eXp Realty for REAL, citing enhanced financial performance, a more supportive and collaborative culture, superior technology, and effective leadership as key factors driving his success and satisfaction.

Dustin Brohm (1:30:45): “Would I make the same decision again today? 1,000%, yes. I'm absolutely doing the right thing in the right place with the right people.”

He encourages agents considering a brokerage change to carefully evaluate their current environment and consider the long-term benefits of a supportive, agent-centric platform like REAL.

Key Takeaways

• Cultural Environment: A unified and collaborative community at REAL contrasts with eXp's siloed structure, fostering inclusivity and shared growth.

• Financial Models: REAL offers more favorable commission splits and lower caps without monthly fees, enhancing agent profitability.

• Training and Support: REAL Academy provides a streamlined, accessible training platform, significantly improving agent skill development and engagement.

• Technology Integration: REAL’s integrated tech platform with AI capabilities enhances productivity and reduces administrative tasks.

• Leadership Focus: REAL’s leadership prioritizes initiatives that directly benefit agents, ensuring focused and effective support.

• Rapid Financial Return: Transitioning to REAL resulted in swift revenue share attainment and rapid agent network growth, validating the decision both financially and professionally.

Notable Quotes

• On Revenue Share Concerns:

  “Revenue share was, you know, five figures a month plus. And I'm like, does it make any sense to leave that behind and start over at zero? It freaked me out.” (09:30)

• On REAL’s Inclusive Culture:

  “At REAL, any agent is included, invited, they get access no matter what.” (22:10)

• On Financial Attraction:

  “It is more financially attractive for 99% of agents to be at REAL.” (59:45)

• On Technology Superiority:

  “REAL has a completely different backend system. One app, one login to manage your entire business... there’s AI built into it.” (1:05:30)

• On Leadership Excellence:

  “REAL only cares about going deep. We just go deep and if it’s not going to move the needle for the average agent, we're not going to do it.” (1:10:40)

• On Decision Validation:

  “Would I make the same decision again today? 1,000%, yes.” (1:30:45)

Final Thoughts

Dustin Brohm's candid reflection on his transition from eXp Realty to REAL offers a roadmap for real estate professionals seeking a more supportive, profitable, and technologically advanced brokerage environment. His experiences underscore the importance of aligning with a brokerage that prioritizes agent success, fosters a collaborative culture, and invests in robust support systems.

For agents contemplating a similar move, Dustin's insights provide compelling reasons to consider REAL Realty as a viable and potentially transformative option for their real estate careers.