There's no universal winner. A 100% model is cheaper for almost every producing agent, while a split can make sense if the brokerage supplies something you'd otherwise pay for, like leads. Here's how to run the numbers for your own business, using real Burlington prices.
How each model works
Traditional split
The brokerage keeps a percentage of each commission, for example 20% on an 80/20 split. Some brokerages add a monthly fee, and some stop the split once you hit an annual cap. Your cost goes up as your production does.
100% commission
You keep your full commission and pay flat fees instead. At Right at Home that's $109 + HST a month and $599 + HST per sale. Transaction fees are capped at $15,000 a year, then $99 per deal. Your cost stays mostly flat.
The math at three production levels
Each example starts from the agent's total gross commission for the year, so you can swap in your own numbers. Amounts are before HST.
| Agent | Gross commission | Right at Home cost | 80/20 split cost | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part-time: 4 sales | $65,000 | $3,704 | $13,000 | $9,296 |
| Full-time: 12 sales | $300,000 | $8,496 | $60,000 | $51,504 |
| Top producer: 30 sales | $900,000 | $15,000 + $1,308 + 4 × $99 = $16,704 | $180,000 | $163,296 |
Right at Home cost = $1,308 a year in brokerage fees plus $599 per sale, until transaction fees reach the $15,000 annual cap (on the 26th sale). After that, $99 per sale. The 80/20 column assumes no cap, so a capped split brokerage would cost the top producer less.
The difference column is what the split brokerage needs to give you in value each year to break even. For the full-time agent, that's over $51,000. That's enough to pay a part-time assistant, a serious marketing budget, or both.
What a split is supposed to buy you
A higher split isn't automatically a bad deal. It's a price, and you're paying for something. Common reasons agents give for staying on a split:
- Experienced managing brokers you can actually reach when a deal gets complicated.
- A physical office with workstations, client meeting rooms and a training room.
- Admin and transaction support that saves you hours on every deal.
- A big consumer brand that wins you listings.
- Training and mentorship, especially in your first two years.
The test is simple: add up what those things would cost you on your own. If it's less than the difference in the table above, the 100% model leaves you ahead.
At Right at Home, you still get a lot of that support without the split. That includes rHome deal processing with daily commission deposits, rLearning and the Fast Track program, whose participants are 32% more productive, and 110+ vetted vendors through rPartners. In Burlington, you also get:
- 2 managing brokers with nearly 20 years of experience each, Lynn Moreira and me, both easy to reach and both hands-on coaches.
- A physical office at 5111 New Street with workstations, client meeting rooms and a training room.
To be clear about what's not included: Right at Home doesn't hand out leads. If you want help generating business, you can join our new rLeads program for an additional fee. rLeads agents also get a discounted rate on Mave, an AI assistant built for real estate agents, with their first few months free. You only pay for it if you choose to use it.
Who each model suits
A split may suit you if…
- The brokerage gives you leads that turn into closings
- You want the brokerage to handle most of your marketing
- You're on a team that provides your business
100% likely suits you if…
- Most of your business comes from your sphere and referrals
- You'd rather invest in your own brand and systems
- You close more than a few deals a year
- You want coaching without paying for it on every deal
One honest caution: a 100% model rewards agents who generate their own business. If you aren't closing deals yet, flat fees still come due every month. That's why new agents at Right at Home Burlington get structure from day one, with Fast Track, a first-90-days plan, core scripts and regular check-ins with me.
Why it matters more in Burlington
Burlington is a high-price market. Cornerstone reported a July 2026 median single-family price of $1,194,750. With a percentage split, the brokerage's share grows with every commission you earn. On a $25,000 commission, an 80/20 split costs you $5,000. Under Right at Home's model, the fee on that deal is $599 + HST.
Volume is also down. Burlington single-family sales fell 18.3% year over year in July 2026, and townhouse and condo sales fell 17.0%. When each agent closes fewer deals, keeping more of each one, and getting coached to convert more of your leads, matters more.
Frequently asked questions
Is 100% commission better than a split for new agents?
It can be, if you have a plan to generate business. The fees are lower, but they're due whether you close or not. New agents at Right at Home complete the Fast Track program and get regular coaching to build momentum.
What's the break-even point between 100% and an 80/20 split?
With Right at Home's fees, the 100% model costs less than an 80/20 split as soon as one deal in the year pays you more than about $9,500 in commission, and the gap widens with every deal after that. The real question is whether a split brokerage gives you enough leads or support to make up the difference.
Do 100% brokerages offer support and training?
Some don't. Right at Home includes deal processing, e-learning, a vendor network and commission advances, and the Burlington branch adds hands-on coaching from a managing broker. Leads aren't included, but agents can join the optional rLeads program for an additional fee.