eXp Realty vs Berkshire Hathaway: Structural Comparison

Key Takeaway: eXp Realty vs Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices compares two national brokerages operating under different structural models. eXp operates a cloud-based platform with standardized fees, a seven-tier revenue share program, and agent stock pathways. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices operates a franchise network with office-negotiated splits, a franchise royalty and marketing fee, and no company-wide revenue share.

TL;DR About eXp vs Berkshire Hathaway

• eXp caps annual brokerage fees at $16,000
• BHHS splits negotiated per agent per office
• BHHS charges 6% royalty plus 1.5% marketing
• eXp runs a seven-tier revenue share program
• BHHS has no company-wide revenue share
• eXp is publicly traded; BHHS runs franchise model
• eXp offers ICON and Agent Equity stock programs

eXp Realty and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) are two national real estate brokerages operating under different structural models. eXp Realty is a cloud-based brokerage operating as a single entity with standardized fees. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a franchise network under HomeServices of America, composed of independently owned and operated franchise offices.

A common assumption is that the brokerage decision reduces to commission split. Split is one factor among several, including franchise royalty structure, cap design, fee stack, technology access, and revenue share or equity programs.

This article explains how the eXp Realty vs Berkshire Hathaway comparison fits into the broader Smart Agent Alliance brokerage comparisons ecosystem available to all agents.

The sections below compare commission structure, total annual cost at common production levels, revenue share and equity programs, training, technology, culture, and agent support:

Company Structure

eXp Realty
eXp Realty is a cloud-based brokerage founded in 2009 by Glenn Sanford and headquartered in Bellingham, Washington. The brokerage operates as a single company entity rather than as a franchise system. eXp Realty is a subsidiary of eXp World Holdings, which trades on NASDAQ as EXPI. The brokerage operates without physical offices at the brokerage level and provides agents with a standardized national platform across markets. eXp operates in 32 countries.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices operates as a franchise network under HomeServices of America. Rather than functioning as a single brokerage entity, the brand is made up of independently owned and operated franchise offices. This means agent terms, office culture, support structure, and certain fees can vary by franchise location. Despite the Berkshire Hathaway name, agents affiliate with their local franchise office, not directly with Berkshire Hathaway Inc. or a single national brokerage entity.

Commission Structure

eXp Realty

Every eXp agent in every market operates under the same structure:

• 80/20 split until the annual cap is reached
• $16,000 cap — once an agent has paid $16,000 to the brokerage in an anniversary year, subsequent transactions earn 100% commission through the next anniversary
• No franchise or royalty fees — the 80/20 split is the only commission-based cost
• ICON Agent Program — agents who cap and meet production and cultural benchmarks receive a $16,000 equity award in eXp stock

Fees are standardized across eXp’s agent base; there is no negotiation and no variation by office.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Commission structure covers the split percentage, the annual cap (if any), and any additional fees deducted from gross commission before the agent-brokerage split is calculated. The following is intended as a general comparison only. Brokerage models, commission structures, fees, benefits, support, and policies can change, sometimes without broad public notice, and may also vary significantly by office, market, team, production level, or individual negotiation. Any numbers, plan descriptions, or calculation examples in this article are illustrative and based on information available at the time of writing. Agents should confirm all current terms directly with the specific brokerage and office they are evaluating.

BHHS commission structures vary by franchise office:

• 60/40 to 70/30 split is typical for new agents, though some offices start higher
• Top producers can negotiate up to 80/20, 90/10, or 93/7 depending on production volume and the specific franchise
• 6% franchise royalty fee on gross commission. This is deducted before the agent-brokerage split is calculated
• 5% marketing/advertising fee also assessed on gross revenues at many offices
• No standardized cap though some individual offices may offer caps, but this is negotiated, not guaranteed

The royalty applies to gross commission before the agent-brokerage split is calculated. On a $10,000 gross commission, the 6% royalty removes $600 before split calculation; the remaining $9,400 is split at the negotiated rate. A new agent at 60/40 retains $5,640 of the original $10,000 after royalty and split.

Total Annual Cost at Different Production Levels

Total annual cost includes the commission split, monthly fees, transaction fees, E&O insurance, and any office or marketing fees.

eXp Realty Fee Schedule (Same for Every Agent)

Fee Type	Amount
Commission split	80/20 until $16K cap
Monthly fee	$85/month ($1,020/year)
Transaction fee	$25/transaction
E&O insurance	$60/transaction, $750 annual cap
Franchise/royalty fee	$0

Berkshire Hathaway Fee Schedule (Ranges by Office)

Fee Type	Amount
Commission split	60/40 to 93/7 (negotiated)
Cap	Not standardized (some offices offer ~$12K-$18K, many have no cap)
Franchise royalty	6% of gross commission
Marketing/brand fee	1.5% of gross commission
Transaction fee	$295 to $625/transaction (varies by office)
E&O insurance	Varies by office
Desk/office fees	Varies by office

Total Annual Cost at $250,000 GCI

Below is what an agent earning $250,000 in gross commission income across roughly 25 transactions would pay at each brokerage.

eXp Realty:

• Commission to brokerage (20% until $16K cap): $16,000
• Monthly fees ($85 x 12): $1,020
• Transaction fees ($25 x 25): $625
• E&O ($60 x 12.5 transactions, capped at $750): $750
• Total cost: $18,395
• Net to agent: $231,605 (92.6%)

Berkshire Hathaway (mid-range estimates, 70/30 split, no cap):

• Franchise royalty (6% of $250K): $15,000
• Marketing fee (1.5% of $250K): $3,750
• Commission to brokerage (30% of $250K after royalty/marketing): $69,375
• Transaction fees (~$400 x 25): $10,000
• E&O (estimated ~$150/month): $1,800
• Desk fees (estimated ~$100/month): $1,200
• Total cost: $101,125
• Net to agent: $148,875 (59.6%)

At these terms, the 70/30 split with no cap is a common structure for newer and mid-level agents at BHHS. Royalty and marketing fees apply to gross commission before the split is calculated.

Even a top producer at 90/10 with the same $250K GCI would pay:

• Franchise royalty (6%): $15,000
• Marketing fee (1.5%): $3,750
• Commission to brokerage (10% of remaining): $23,125
• Fees (~$13,000): $13,000
• Total cost: ~$54,875
• Net to agent: ~$195,125 (78.1%)

At eXp, every agent at this production level keeps 92.7%.

Revenue Share and Equity Programs

Revenue share and equity programs differ substantially between the two brokerages.

eXp Revenue Share

When an eXp agent closes a deal before capping, eXp retains 20% of the commission as company dollar. Half of that company dollar, 50%, flows into the revenue share pool.

For every agent in a sponsor’s network who caps at $16,000, up to $8,000 per year enters the revenue share pool distributed across the seven tiers.

Revenue share is structured across seven tiers. The first three are auto-unlocked for every agent.

Tier	Who Is In It	Requirement	Min Annual Payout Per Capping Agent
Tier 1	Agents you directly sponsor	Auto-unlocked	$4,000 (Fast Start year 1) / $1,400 ongoing
Tier 2	Sponsored by your Tier 1 agents	Auto-unlocked	$1,600
Tier 3	Sponsored by your Tier 2 agents	Auto-unlocked	$1,000
Tier 4	Fourth level	5 FLQAs or cap/ICON	$600
Tier 5	Fifth level	10 FLQAs or cap/ICON	$400
Tier 6	Sixth level	15 FLQAs or cap/ICON	$1,000
Tier 7	Seventh level (max depth)	30 FLQAs or cap/ICON	$2,000

Maximum revenue share distributed from a single capping agent across all seven tiers totals approximately $8,000 per year, reflecting the 50% of the company dollar that enters the pool. Revenue share is a participation-based program; actual amounts depend on sponsorship activity and capping rates within an agent’s network.

Historically, actual payouts on Tiers 1 through 3 run 20 to 25% higher than the minimums listed above due to a bonus pool. In 2024 alone, eXp distributed more than $170 million in revenue share. Since the program launched in 2015, total payouts have exceeded $889 million.

Revenue share vests over 3 to 5 years, is willable to heirs, and continues in retirement as long as the agent’s license stays with eXp.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

BHHS does not have a company-wide revenue share or profit share program. One individual franchise, the BHHS PenFed Realty in the Mid-Atlantic region, launched a limited revenue sharing program in 2023, but this is a single franchise’s initiative, not available across the network.

BHHS does not provide ongoing compensation to agents who attract other agents to a franchise.

Example: 5 Sponsored Agents Who Cap

At eXp: When an agent sponsors 5 agents who each cap at $16,000, those sponsored agents generate $80,000 in company dollar; 50% ($40,000) enters the revenue share pool. The Tier 1 sponsor payout minimum is $7,000 per year ongoing ($1,400 × 5), or up to $20,000 in the first year with Fast Start bonuses ($4,000 × 5). Tier 1 payouts have historically run 20 to 25% higher than these minimums due to a bonus pool.

This reflects Tier 1 only. If those 5 agents each sponsor productive agents of their own, the sponsoring agent earns on Tiers 2 through 7 as well.

At BHHS: Agents who bring other agents to a franchise office do not receive ongoing compensation. BHHS has no revenue share, profit share, or network-wide referral income program.

Vesting, Willability, and Portability

eXp’s revenue share vests over time and becomes a permanent, willable asset. BHHS has no comparable program to vest into.

Feature	eXp Realty	Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Willable to heirs	Yes, after vesting	N/A
Continues in retirement	Yes, while license stays with eXp	N/A
Portable across locations	Yes — network is company-wide	N/A

 

Training and Professional Development

eXp Realty

eXp provides a centralized agent training and professional development system through eXp University and related online resources:

• More than 50 live training sessions each week, covering topics from foundational skills to advanced marketing and investing
• A full on-demand course library organized by agent pathways
• Additional programs including Fast Cap, a live six-week training program for new or experienced agents that includes free realtor.com leads for U.S. agents, and Zoocasa, which provides one-on-one live training and qualified lead flow
• Videos, guides, checklists, and playbooks designed to support a wide range of agent needs
• A Mentor Program that pairs newer agents with experienced mentors during their first transactions; during that period, commission earnings are temporarily reduced
• Training and support delivered primarily through eXp World and other online platforms, giving agents consistent access regardless of location
• Specialized training is provided for eXp division, like eXp Luxury

Beyond formal training and the mentor program, agents may also receive additional coaching, training, and guidance from their individual sponsor organization, if available.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

BHHS training varies by franchise:

• Learn Center — network-wide online platform with on-demand courses and live training
• Ninja Installation — relationship-building and consultative selling program used across many franchises
• Local franchise-specific programs (some offices like Starck Academy and California Properties Career School run comprehensive training; others are more hands-off)
• Local mentorship programs at most offices

Training resources and format vary by franchise. Some BHHS offices operate comprehensive training programs with dedicated trainers; others provide the network-wide Learn Center as the primary training resource.

Technology and Tools

eXp Realty

eXp operates as a cloud-based brokerage with a centralized technology platform that supports production, communication, lead generation, compliance, and agent workflow.

• My eXp app serves as the central access point for company tools, dashboards, resources, and production and revenue share tracking
• eXp World functions as the company’s virtual office, giving agents access to live support, brokers, training, collaboration, and individual virtual office space
• CRM choice includes three supported options: BoldTrail, Lofty, or Cloze; agents may also use other systems at their own cost
• IDX websites are available through BoldTrail or Lofty
• SkySlope handles transaction management and compliance through a centralized cloud-based system with broker routing and state-specific requirements
• Sisu supports team production tracking
• MIRA AI provides 24/7 AI agent answers
• Canva Pro includes listing templates, branding tools, and social media assets
• AI-driven workflow automations help support agent processes, tied to capping status
• Referral tools support cross-state and international business
• My Link My Lead is eXp’s proprietary lead tool, allowing agents to create searches and keep any leads generated, whether they work them directly or refer them out
• eXp Hub supports internal communication

Every agent has access to eXp’s core platform from day one. Access is not tied to a physical office, and the model is designed to provide the same baseline tools across the company.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices provides technology tools through a combination of brand-level systems and franchise-level offerings, so platform access and fees can vary by office.

• BoldTrail CRM with:
• Customizable agent websites with IDX search
• Smart campaigns and automated follow-up
• Video messaging and mobile dialer app

BoldTrail is not exclusive to BHHS; it is also licensed by RE/MAX, NextHome, eXp, and other brokerages. Technology access and fees vary by franchise office.

Culture and Work Environment

eXp Realty

eXp agents work from anywhere. There are no physical offices to report to, though eXp provides free access to Regus business lounges worldwide for agents who want occasional professional workspace.

The model operates without desk fees or office attendance requirements.

The structure does not include physical office culture or in-person daily workspace interaction.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

BHHS operates through franchise offices. Agents have a physical workspace, a local franchise leadership team, and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand.

The Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand has established presence in the luxury residential segment.

Structural costs for agents include the franchise royalty, marketing fee, desk costs, and negotiated split. Office environment and resources vary across franchises.

Public Company Structure and Stock Pathways

eXp Realty

eXp is publicly traded on NASDAQ (EXPI) and offers agents multiple paths to stock ownership:

• ICON Agent Program — agents who cap and meet production and cultural benchmarks receive a $16,000 equity award in eXp stock
• Agent Equity Program — agents can choose to receive a portion of their commission in stock at a discount
• Annual production equity awards — equity awards for meeting annual production benchmarks
• Sponsored agent first-transaction award — equity award for the first closed transaction of a sponsored agent

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

BHHS does not offer any agent stock or equity program. Agents have no direct ownership stake in their franchise, in HomeServices of America, or in Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Despite carrying the Berkshire Hathaway name, BHHS agents have no financial connection to Berkshire Hathaway’s stock price or corporate performance. The relationship is a brand license, agents are independent contractors of their local franchise, not employees or equity holders of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Agent Support

eXp Realty

• 24/7 Expert Care — eXp’s branded agent support program, available through multiple support channels
• 2,000+ full-time employees dedicated to agent support, compliance, and operations
• Broker access available virtually without scheduling or traveling to an office
• Support quality is consistent regardless of location

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

• Support quality and availability vary by franchise office
• Some offices operate with full-time broker availability and administrative staff
• Others may operate with leaner teams or part-time broker coverage
• The franchise model means each office manages its own support structure

Support resources vary by franchise. Support quality and availability depend on the specific franchise an agent joins.

Divisions and Verticals

eXp Realty

eXp World Holdings operates multiple divisions available to eXp Realty agents. eXp Luxury serves the luxury residential segment with branded marketing and referral infrastructure. eXp Commercial covers commercial real estate transactions. Other specialized divisions include Sports & Entertainment, Land & Ranch, and New Homes. eXp Referral Division allows referral agents to operate with lower agent expenses. eXp Mortgage provides affiliated mortgage services, and eXp Title handles title services. The brokerage also operates in multiple international markets, giving agents cross-border referral and transaction capabilities.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is best known for its residential franchise network, with established brand recognition in the luxury residential segment. Its structure is centered on franchise brokerage operations rather than a unified set of company-wide agent divisions. Some franchise offices may offer affiliated mortgage, title, relocation, luxury, or commercial services, but these are not standardized nationally in the same way and can vary by office and market. As a result, access to specialized verticals depends more on the individual franchise than on a single company-wide platform.

Anonymous Agent Reviews

Aggregated agent feedback from anonymous review platforms documents different reported experiences at each brokerage. For the full cross-brokerage ranking, see Real Estate Brokerage Reviews: 12 Firms Ranked in 2026.

eXp Realty

eXp Realty holds a 4.4 Glassdoor rating, with 87% of agents recommending it and 92% approving of the CEO. It holds the highest Glassdoor rating among the 12 brokerages reviewed in that analysis. Anonymous agent reviews most often cite flexibility, training, technology tools, community support, revenue share access, mentorship options, and stock incentive programs as reported advantages. Reported concerns focus on adjustment to the virtual model, the self-directed nature of the business, variable mentorship quality, and mixed usability reviews across certain technology tools.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices holds a 4.3 Glassdoor rating, with 80% of agents indicating they would recommend it and 99% approving of the CEO. Anonymous agent reviews cite strong training, brand recognition, and an extensive resource library as reported advantages. The brokerage is described as accessible both to newer agents seeking structure and to experienced agents continuing development. Reported concerns include high commission splits and franchise-related fees, declining support after onboarding, tool fragmentation across multiple systems, and competitive or hierarchical office dynamics in some locations

What Agents Also Ask

Is eXp Realty better than Berkshire Hathaway?

The comparison depends on agent priorities. eXp operates a cloud-based platform with standardized fees, a revenue share program, and agent stock pathways. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices operates through franchise offices with brand-forward marketing, physical workspaces, and established luxury-segment presence. Fit depends on fee-structure preference, model preference, and target market.

Which brokerage is best for new agents, eXp or Berkshire Hathaway?

eXp offers a standardized 80/20 split. Mentees get an assigned personal mentor and a 60/40 for their first three transactions. There are over 50 weekly training sessions through eXp University. BHHS new agents typically start at 60/40 or 70/30 with training that varies by franchise. New agents should weigh cost structure, training format, and in-person versus virtual support preference.

Is Berkshire Hathaway the best brokerage for luxury agents?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has established brand recognition in the luxury residential segment through franchise offices in premium markets. eXp Luxury division offers a comparable structural option for agents preferring cloud-based operations with luxury branding. Fit depends on whether physical office brand presence supports the agent’s client acquisition approach.

What are the main differences between eXp and Berkshire Hathaway?

eXp operates a cloud-based single-entity model with a standardized $16,000 cap, no royalty fees, a seven-tier revenue share program, and agent stock pathways. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices operates through independently owned franchise offices with office-negotiated splits, a 6% royalty, a 1.5% marketing fee, and no company-wide revenue share or equity program.

Why This Matters

Brokerage comparison data provides a structural basis for evaluating which business model, fee structure, and compensation system aligns with an agent’s plan. At eXp Realty, all agents receive the same core brokerage platform, including compliance, compensation, and access to company divisions. What differs is the sponsor ecosystem an agent aligns with.

The sponsor an agent selects shapes which tools, training, and attraction systems they have access to, including resources for evaluating franchise-based versus cloud-based brokerage models. Agents should weigh fee stack and equity structure alongside brand considerations.

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