eXp Realty vs Berkshire Hathaway: Which is Best for Realtors?

Today we’re comparing eXp Realty with another major player in the real estate world—Berkshire Hathaway. Choosing a brokerage is a huge decision that can make or break your career, and we’re here to help you navigate it. Here’s your handy dandy index:

Why Your Brokerage Choice Matters

Picking a brokerage is about way more than just commission splits—although that’s clearly a big deal. Your brokerage choice shapes your everyday experience, the support you receive, and the resources available to grow your business.

You want a brokerage that aligns with your goals, supports your success, helps you keep more of your hard-earned money and, of course, leaves you feeling super stoked about your choice.

Today, we’re comparing eXp Realty and Berkshire Hathaway—two well-known names in real estate. We’ll take a close look at commission splits, fees, training opportunities, and agent satisfaction.

eXp Realty is super transparent about this information, but it takes digging to fully understand what Berkshire Hathaway offers. Luckily for you, we’ve done the research, so you don’t have to.

Agent Satisfaction

Let’s start with agent satisfaction—because if agents are happy, they’re more likely to succeed. Based on Glassdoor reviews, eXp Realty scores a solid 4.6 stars, while Berkshire Hathaway comes in slightly lower at 4.4 stars.

This gives you a peek into how agents feel about their overall experience at each company, including support and resources. If you’re curious about how the top real estate firms stack up, check out our blog “12 Insider Picks for the Best Real Estate Brokerage in 2024!”. Spoiler alert: eXp Realty ranks #1 on Glassdoor.

Brokerage Profitability

Let’s talk about brokerage profitability—because it directly impacts your day-to-day life and future at the company. A financially stable brokerage is less likely to make sudden changes that could hurt your business.

Berkshire Hathaway is part of the Anywhere Real Estate family, which includes Sotheby’s, Better Homes & Gardens, Century 21, and Corcoran. Anywhere has posted 20 quarters of earnings, with 12 profitable quarters—meaning they 60% profitability.

On the other hand, eXp Realty has posted 20 quarters of earnings, with 15 profitable quarters, putting them at 75% profitability. And even better—eXp Realty is the only publicly traded brokerage that’s been profitable for the last five years.

That kind of financial stability leads to continuous improvements for agents and clients alike. If you want the full scoop on brokerage profitability, check out our blog “Top Real Estate Companies That Might Go Under!”.

Commission Splits

Let’s dig into the commission splits, one of the most important factors for most agents. At Berkshire Hathaway, commission splits range from 60/40 to 93/7. This is often negotiated between the agent and office, so it’s important to ask for specifics during your interview.

At eXp Realty, the commission splits are refreshingly simple and transparent. Agents start with an 80/20 split, and once you’ve paid $16,000 to the brokerage in a year, you move to 100% commission for the rest of the year.

And with eXp, there’s no negotiation or confusion—every agent gets the same deal. Plus, eXp offers stock options for agents who hit certain milestones, so you can actually earn more than 100% of your commissions each year. Whether you’re a new agent or a top producer, the playing field is level at eXp.

E&O Insurance

Now let’s talk about Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance. This is crucial for protecting both you and your brokerage from potential legal claims.

At Berkshire Hathaway, the details about E&O insurance are not widely shared, and it seems to vary by office. From what we’ve gathered, these costs can be substantial, so you’ll want to check with your local office to understand what you’ll be expected to pay.

At eXp Realty, agents pay $60 per transaction, and once you hit $750 for the year, your E&O fees stop. No more payments, no matter how many deals you close. This is a huge advantage, especially if you’re just starting out or want to keep more of your income in your pocket.

Fees

Fees can really add up, so let’s break down what to expect from eXp Realty and Berkshire Hathaway. At eXp Realty, agents pay a straightforward $85 monthly fee, and a $25 transaction fee per deal until you hit your cap. Pretty simple, right?

At Berkshire Hathaway, things are more complicated. Monthly fees can range from $295 to $625 per transaction, depending on your office. Plus, there’s a 6% royalty fee on each transaction, which can really start to add up. When you compare the two, eXp Realty offers a more predictable and cost-effective fee structure, which helps agents keep more of their earnings.

Training and Support

Training and support are key for both new agents and seasoned pros. Let’s see how these brokerages stack up. At eXp Realty, you’ll have access to over 50 live training sessions every week, along with a massive on-demand library of courses.

For new agents, the Fast Start program is designed to help you hit the ground running, while experienced agents can level up with the Kick Start program. And with 24/7 support and over 2,000 full-time staff members available to assist you, you’re never left hanging when you need help.

At Berkshire Hathaway, the training and support vary by office. Some offices might offer great resources, while others could leave you wanting more. Your experience will largely depend on your local office broker’s availability, which means you might not always have the support you need at crucial moments.

Technology and Resources

Having the right technology can make or break your real estate business, so let’s see how eXp Realty and Berkshire Hathaway compare.

eXp Realty is at the forefront of tech innovation with its fully virtual brokerage model. Agents work in eXp World, a metaverse-like platform where you can meet with brokers, get tech support, and attend training sessions. Want the full scoop? Check out our blog on eXp World!

Plus, eXp Realty provides agents with a personal IDX website, not just a page on your brokerage’s website, a powerful CRM & Lead Generator Tool, a Marketing Center filled with customizable templates and social media content, and more. And with eXp, the tech keeps evolving to help you stay ahead of the competition.

At Berkshire Hathaway, we found no information about their technology and resources. Not sure why, but it seems like a bad thing that no one is talking about it. If having access to cutting-edge tools and resources is crucial to your success, eXp Realty is the clear leader here.

Why Berkshire Hathaway May Be Best for You

While eXp Realty offers tons of benefits, Berkshire Hathaway may be the better fit if you prefer a traditional brokerage with physical offices. If you enjoy the structure of an office environment or need to have a local broker for face-to-face support and to crack the whip to get you moving, Berkshire Hathaway could be the right place for you.

But if you’re just looking for out-of-home office space, eXp Realty provides FREE access to over 4,000 Regus office business lounges around the world. But if you thrive in a more structured setting with daily in-person accountability, Berkshire Hathaway might feel more like home.

eXp’s Exclusive Resources

On top of everything else, eXp Realty offers a range of features that most other brokerages simply don’t. For luxury agents, eXp’s Luxury Division allows you to advertise your high-end listings globally, giving you top-tier exposure.

They also have a dedicated staff called Revenos, whose sole job is to find and provide quality leads directly to eXp agents—how cool is that? Their Referral tool makes it easy for agents to pass referrals to others with just a few clicks, and if you’re only interested in running a referral business, eXp’s Referral Division lowers costs while keeping you in the game.

And let’s not forget about Revenue Share, which offers agents a way to earn income by recommending other agents to join eXp. That income doesn’t stop when you retire and it’s willable, meaning it keeps giving even after you’re out of the game. Talk about a win-win!

That’s a Wrap

When it comes to choosing between eXp Realty and Berkshire Hathaway, it really depends on what you’re looking for in a brokerage. Berkshire Hathaway offers the traditional, in-office experience with a solid reputation, but with higher fees and inconsistent training.

On the other hand, eXp Realty gives you transparent splits, lower fees, cutting-edge tech, and 24/7 support—making it a fantastic option for agents looking for flexibility, growth, and the chance to keep more of their hard-earned commissions.

Join our FREE Team at eXp Realty

Join the leading force in real estate with eXp Realty – the only profitable publicly traded brokerage over the past five years and holds the prestigious title of the best brokerage to work for. The benefits of eXp Realty are unmatched and will truly exceed your expectations!

When you join us at Smart Agent Alliance, you’ll also be part of the Wolf Pack at eXp Realty.  Together we are one big team and we provide more FREE value than you’ll get anywhere else in the real estate business.

What’s included? Access our exclusive SAA Vault Assets to enhance your business efficiency, attend weekly team video calls filled with invaluable insights and top agent strategies, and receive the Social Agent Academy Program and Investor Army Courses – a combined value of over $1,500 – absolutely free. And that’s just the beginning! Explore more about our robust team benefits.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Transform your real estate career, maximize your income, and secure your future. Contact us now to schedule a video consultation or email us at team@SmartAgentAlliance.com. We’re here to ensure your success.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How happy are Berkshire Hathaway vs eXp Realty agents?

On Glassdoor.com, where agents anonymously rank their brokerage, eXp Realty scores a solid 4.6 stars, while Berkshire Hathaway comes in slightly lower at 4.4 stars. For all the legwork comparing all the big real estate firms, check out “12 Insider Picks for the Best Real Estate Brokerage in 2024!”.

How profitable is Berkshire Hathaway vs eXp Realty?

Berkshire Hathaway is part of the Anywhere Real Estate family, which includes Sotheby’s, Better Homes & Gardens, Century 21, and Corcoran. Anywhere has posted 20 quarters of earnings, with 12 profitable quarters—meaning they 60% profitability.

On the other hand, eXp Realty has posted 20 quarters of earnings, with 15 profitable quarters, putting them at 75% profitability. For more on brokerage profitability, check out “Top Real Estate Companies That Might Go Under!”.

What makes eXp Realty different?

Besides top agent pay, low fees, extensive training, and state-of-the-art technology, eXp has a Luxury Division offering global marketing,  a dedicated team called Revenos providing quality leads to agents, a Referral tool making referrals to other agents a breeze, a Referral Division cutting agent costs for referral only business and Revenue Share opportunities providing additional agent income possibilities that continue after retirement and is willable.