Why Do Real Estate Agents Switch Firms?

Hey there, I’m Kathy Byrnes, a realtor in Lake Norman, North Carolina, just north of Charlotte. I’m a waterfront specialist and also have a hand in global real estate, which has been an incredible adventure. Now, if you’ve ever wondered why agents hop from one brokerage to another—or why some never leave—let me take you along on my journey. I’ve been through multiple firms since getting my license back in 2006, and each switch has taught me something new. So why do agents switch firms? Let’s dive in and explore!

My First Steps: The Value of Learning the Hard Way

When I first got into the business, I started at Coldwell Banker. At that point, I didn’t even know I could interview the brokerage—I thought they were interviewing me! Talk about na?ve. One thing that hit me fast was the lack of collaboration. I had expected people to share tips and strategies, but instead, I found it was every agent for themselves. The industry, as I learned, can be cutthroat if you don’t find the right people to grow with.

The only way I could figure out what worked was through trial and error. Back then, Facebook business pages were brand new, and I saw an opportunity. I taught myself how to create and manage these pages and started sharing that knowledge with other agents. Eventually, I even taught classes at a local college, where I charged a small fee to teach agents from all kinds of firms. It was actually through one of these sessions that the woman who hired me to teach also hired me to sell her house!

Seeking Pros and Facing the Crash

After some time at Coldwell Banker, I started hearing that RE/MAX was the place for professionals, so I decided to give it a shot. I stayed with RE/MAX for seven years, but once again, collaboration was hard to find—except for the owner, who was a gem. She showed me how to excel with expired listings, which was a game-changer. That’s also where I found my first business partner.

During the 2008 market crash, we built our business by working on short sales and expired listings, and it kept us afloat during tough times. But when the market started to recover, my partner and I realized that we were spending too much on office expenses. The math just didn’t add up anymore, so we started looking for new opportunities.

When Fit Matters More Than Promises

Our next stop was a smaller franchise that seemed to offer a better deal with flat fees and a bit of residual income. But here’s the thing about moving: sometimes the math looks good, but the fit doesn’t work. My partner soon decided to leave, and I found myself butting heads with one of the owners. That was the end of the road for me with that brokerage—staying there wasn’t aligned with my values.

The Power of Teams

After leaving that franchise, I tried Keller Williams. The split wasn’t ideal—70/30 felt like I was going backward—but I thought I’d give it a try. I planned to work as a solo agent but quickly realized that being a team owner had spoiled me. Managing everything on my own wasn’t what I wanted. Luckily, the LePage Johnson team offered me a position to be a team mentor and I liked that. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. They handled the back-end tasks so I could focus on what I did best.

But then, just two weeks in, they said, “We’re leaving Keller Williams and moving to eXp.” I hadn’t heard of eXp at the time, but I trusted them, so I made the switch. And, wow, am I glad I did!

Collaboration and Ownership

The biggest difference I found at eXp is collaboration. At other brokerages, people guarded their knowledge. But at eXp, everyone helps each other because we all own a piece of the company—literally. It’s publicly traded, and agents are awarded stock for completing transactions or bringing in other agents. On top of that, there’s revenue sharing.

When I added up what I’ve earned through revenue share over the past seven years, it was over $250,000. That’s not counting commissions—that’s just revenue share from helping build the company. Compare that to other firms, where you might get a thank-you card for bringing in new agents, and you’ll see why eXp’s model is revolutionary.

The Global Opportunities Are Incredible

One thing I love about eXp is the global reach. I’ve been able to connect clients across the world, from a hotel investor in Portugal to someone looking for castles in France. Through eXp’s network, I can seamlessly refer clients to agents in other countries—something I never had access to in other franchises. Just last week, I connected a client in Spain with an equestrian estate in Portugal. The global opportunities here are endless.

Why Agents Switch – And Why Some Stay Too Long

So, why do agents switch firms? We’re all searching for something better. Whether it’s lower fees, better splits, or more support, agents want a firm that aligns with their goals. But some agents never leave because they feel loyal to their brokerage or their broker. And to them, I ask—why not be loyal to yourself first? This is your business, after all.

For me, eXp offers the perfect combination: collaboration, ownership, global connections, and financial freedom. It’s given me the tools I need to grow my business without limits—and I’ve found a community that truly supports me.

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Let's Connect and Grow Together

If you’re curious about eXp or just want to know more about how I’ve built my business, let’s have a conversation. Whether you’re looking for better splits, global referral systems, or a community where everyone wins, eXp might be the place for you. Don’t settle—your business deserves the best, and I’d love to show you why eXp has been a game-changer for me.

Reach out for a business strategy call , and connect with me if you’d like to learn more. This could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Hustle isn’t optional in this business—and at eXp, all the tools are here to help you win.