The Blog

I recently received a message on my Instagram/Threads feed from a new agent:

“Hi Melissa, I’m just starting out. I’m looking at a RE/MAX team, but they want a 50/50 split. In an era where I can use AI to do my marketing and lead gen, is it still worth giving up half my commission? Should I go solo or join the team?”

It’s the age-old question and the answer depends on where you want your time to go.

The Death of the “Big Box” Brand Advantage

In recent years, the brokerage name on your business card is secondary to your digital footprint. Recent stats show that nearly 90% of buyers and sellers choose an agent based on their personal brand and social proof rather than the national franchise they belong to. Whether you are at a legacy brand like RE/MAX or a cloud-based independent, your success depends on your ability to build a “Community-First” personal brand.

The “Tech Stack” Factor

Before you worry about the 50/50 split, look at the team’s AI and CRM infrastructure. * Solo: You have to pay for, set up, and manage your own AI lead-nurture bots, video editing software, and predictive analytics tools.

• Team: A high-performing team should provide a “turnkey” tech stack. If they are asking for 50% but still expect you to manually cold-call and mail flyers, run. They should be providing you with high-intent data and automated systems that allow you to focus purely on human interaction.

Behavioral Profiles: Beyond the DISC

We used to just look at the DISC profile (S’s and C’s for teams, D’s and I’s for solo). Nowadays, we also look at your Tech-Adaptability.

• The Specialist: If you love the “human” side—negotiating, showing homes, and calming nervous sellers—but you hate the backend tech and algorithm chasing, join a team.
• The Architect: If you are a digital native who knows how to leverage AI to 10x your output and you enjoy building systems, go solo.

The “Experience” Reframe

It used to be that young agents joined teams for “gray hair” credibility. But now, the script has flipped. Younger agents often have the digital fluency that older clients want (virtual reality tours, AI-driven market forecasting). However, a team provides “transactional muscle.” If you’ve never navigated a complex inspection contingency or a multi-party litigation threat, a team lead acts as your insurance policy against expensive mistakes. Until you have 10-20 transactions under your belt, it’s important to be sure you have the support of a team leader, your broker, or another office mentor. Mistakes in real estate are costly, and prevention is easy by aligning yourself with an experienced and supportive team.

Analyze the Lead Quality

If the team is handing you “Zillow-style” raw leads that require 50 touchpoints to convert, that 50% split is a high price to pay. If they are handing you vetted, high-intent appointments generated through their established brand authority, that split is actually a bargain for the time you save.

To help you make a decision, here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons of joining a team vs going solo:

Bottomline, don’t join a team for the “brand.” Join a team for the mentorship, the lead-flow systems, and the protection of your time. If the team isn’t making your life 50% easier, they shouldn’t be taking 50% of your check.