The 20-deal year · $150,000 GCI — what the same agent keeps at each brokerage, ranked by take-home.
| Rank | Brokerage | Take-home |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | simpliHŌM simpliPRENEUR | $133,812 |
| 2 | eXp Realty | $123,730 |
Assumptions: 20 transactions, $7,500 average gross commission per transaction, $150,000 total GCI. simpliHŌM figures use month-to-month simpliPRENEUR at $99/month. eXp figures use the standard 80/20 split, $16,000 cap, and ~$85/month technology fee. Full math below.
You're closing 20 transactions a year. You're doing the work. And depending on which brokerage name is on your license, you're handing over anywhere from $16,188 to $26,270 before you pay a single business expense.
That $10,082 gap isn't a rounding error. It's the structural difference between two commission models. This article shows you exactly where every dollar goes at simpliHŌM simpliPRENEUR versus eXp Realty — transaction by transaction — so you can verify the math yourself.
The Fee Structures, Side by Side
Before running any scenario, here is what each brokerage actually charges.
| simpliHŌM simpliPRENEUR | eXp Realty | |
|---|---|---|
| Split | 85/15 from transaction one | 80/20 from transaction one |
| Annual cap | $7,500 (to brokerage) | $16,000 (to brokerage) |
| Platform / technology fee | $99/month | ~$85/month |
| Per-transaction / post-cap fee | 0.1% of contract price ($199 min / $399 max) | $250 per closing after cap |
| Transaction coordination | Included, no extra charge | Not included |
| Cap resets | Anniversary date (not January 1) | January 1 |
eXp charges a $25 broker review fee and a $40 E&O fee per transaction in most markets. Both are excluded here to keep the comparison focused on primary structural differences. Including them would add $1,300 to eXp's annual cost on 20 transactions — widening the gap further.
The Scenario
Agent A closes 20 transactions in a year. Each carries a $7,500 gross commission. Total GCI: $150,000.
Transactions are spread roughly evenly across the year — one to two per month. This is a realistic mid-producer profile: not a new agent, not a top-100 team. Someone doing consistent, solid work who wants to know what they actually keep.
simpliHŌM simpliPRENEUR: Month-by-Month
How the Split and Cap Work
Agent A starts on an 85/15 split. The brokerage takes 15% of each gross commission until the cumulative brokerage share hits $7,500. After that, the split disappears entirely for the remainder of the anniversary year.
Each transaction also carries a broker fee of 0.1% of the contract price. At a 2% commission rate, a $7,500 gross commission implies a ~$375,000 contract price. 0.1% of $375,000 = $375 — between the $199 minimum and $399 maximum, so the broker fee is $375 per transaction.
Transactions 1 Through 7: Pre-Cap
15% × $7,500 = $1,125 per transaction to the brokerage
Agent A keeps: $7,500 − $1,125 = $6,375
After 6 transactions: 6 × $1,125 = $6,750 paid toward cap.
Transaction 7 would bring the tally to $7,875 — $375 over the cap. So the cap hits mid-transaction.
Remaining cap balance at the start of transaction 7: $7,500 − $6,750 = $750
Agent A pays $750 to the brokerage on transaction 7, then keeps 100% of the remaining $6,750.
Transaction 7 take-home: $7,500 − $750 = $6,750
Running cap tally: $7,500. Cap complete.
Transactions 8 Through 20: Post-Cap
The split disappears. Agent A keeps 100% of gross commission on every remaining transaction, minus only the per-transaction broker fee.
Post-cap take-home per transaction: $7,500 − $375 = $7,125
13 transactions × $7,125 = $92,625
Annual Platform Fee
$99/month × 12 months = $1,188
simpliHŌM simpliPRENEUR: Full-Year Math
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total GCI | $150,000 |
| Brokerage split (cap, transactions 1–7) | −$7,500 |
| Broker fees (20 transactions × $375) | −$7,500 |
| Platform fee ($99 × 12) | −$1,188 |
| Agent take-home | $133,812 |
Agent A keeps $133,812 at simpliHŌM simpliPRENEUR.
What's Included at No Extra Cost
The $1,188 annual platform fee covers Lofty CRM with IDX site, Dotloop Premium, ShowingTime+, AI Virtual Staging, AI Headshots, AI Marketing, Automated Testimonials, and the HOMhq platform hub. Free transaction coordination is included on every deal — an estimated 15+ hours saved per transaction and $300–$500 in TC costs Agent A never pays.
On 20 transactions, that's up to $10,000 in transaction coordination costs that simply don't exist.
eXp Realty: The Same Agent, Different Brokerage
How the Split and Cap Work
eXp runs an 80/20 split. The brokerage takes 20% of each gross commission until the cumulative brokerage share hits $16,000. After that, agents pay a $250 per-transaction fee for the remainder of the calendar year.
The cap resets January 1 — not on the agent's join date. An agent who joined in March hits the cap reset before their anniversary, which can compress the post-cap window significantly. For this scenario, assume a clean January start.
Transactions 1 Through 11: Pre-Cap
20% × $7,500 = $1,500 per transaction to the brokerage
After 10 transactions: 10 × $1,500 = $15,000 paid toward cap.
Transaction 11 would bring the tally to $16,500 — $500 over the cap. The cap hits mid-transaction.
Remaining cap balance at the start of transaction 11: $16,000 − $15,000 = $1,000
Agent A pays $1,000 to the brokerage on transaction 11, then keeps 100% of the remaining $6,500.
Transaction 11 take-home: $7,500 − $1,000 = $6,500
Running cap tally: $16,000. Cap complete.
Transactions 12 Through 20: Post-Cap
Agent A pays a $250 per-transaction fee on each remaining closing.
Post-cap take-home per transaction: $7,500 − $250 = $7,250
9 transactions × $7,250 = $65,250
Annual Technology Fee
~$85/month × 12 months = $1,020
Transaction Coordination
eXp does not include transaction coordination. An independent TC typically charges $300–$500 per transaction. Using a conservative $350 average:
20 × $350 = $7,000 Agent A pays out of pocket.
This is a real cost that most brokerage comparisons omit. It doesn't appear on the brokerage fee schedule. It still comes out of your pocket.
eXp Realty: Full-Year Math
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total GCI | $150,000 |
| Brokerage split (cap, transactions 1–11) | −$16,000 |
| Post-cap transaction fees (9 × $250) | −$2,250 |
| Technology fee (~$85 × 12) | −$1,020 |
| Transaction coordination (20 × $350) | −$7,000 |
| Agent take-home | $123,730 |
Agent A keeps $123,730 at eXp Realty.
The Comparison
| simpliHŌM simpliPRENEUR | eXp Realty | |
|---|---|---|
| Split | 85/15 | 80/20 |
| Annual cap | $7,500 | $16,000 |
| Cap resets | Anniversary date | January 1 |
| Platform/tech fee | $99/month ($1,188/yr) | ~$85/month ($1,020/yr) |
| Broker fee (per transaction) | 0.1% (~$375 here) | $250 post-cap only |
| Transaction coordination | Included | Not included (~$350/transaction) |
| Total brokerage cost | $16,188 | $26,270 |
| Agent take-home | $133,812 | $123,730 |
| Difference | +$10,082 | — |
Same agent. Same production. Different brokerage. $10,082 difference.
Where the Gap Actually Comes From
Three structural factors create the $10,082 difference.
1. The Split: 5 Percentage Points That Compound Fast
eXp takes 20%. simpliHŌM takes 15%. On a $7,500 commission, that's a $375 difference per transaction before either cap kicks in. Over 10 pre-cap transactions at eXp, that's $3,750 in additional brokerage cost before Agent A even approaches capping.
2. The Cap: $7,500 vs. $16,000
This is the biggest structural gap. Agent A at simpliHŌM caps after paying $7,500 to the brokerage. Agent A at eXp caps after paying $16,000. That's $8,500 more handed over before the split disappears.
The reset timing compounds the problem. simpliHŌM resets on the agent's anniversary date. eXp resets January 1. An agent who joins eXp in the spring can cap in the fall, then watch the reset hit in January before they've had a full post-cap year. That timing alone can cost a productive agent thousands in a single cycle.
3. Transaction Coordination: The Hidden $7,000
eXp does not include TC. simpliHŌM does. At a conservative $350 per transaction across 20 deals, that's $7,000 Agent A at eXp pays that Agent A at simpliHŌM does not. Most brokerage comparisons skip this line entirely because it doesn't appear on the fee schedule. It still comes out of your pocket.
What Happens After You Cap
At simpliHŌM, hitting the cap triggers more than post-cap economics. simpliPRENEUR agents who cap receive 250 pre-IPO equity units. simpliSHARE agents who cap receive 1,000 RSUs plus a $15,000 Convertible Bonus Certificate — every year they cap.
This is pre-IPO equity, not publicly traded stock. The value is speculative, but the structure is real: agents who stay and produce accumulate equity that doesn't exist at eXp in the same form. eXp offers publicly traded EXPI stock already priced by the market. simpliHŌM's equity is granted at pre-IPO valuation.
For a deeper look at what the cap milestone triggers, what happens after you cap covers the equity grants, post-cap economics, and the ACE Agent tier in detail.
The 2-Year Commitment Option
Agent A on month-to-month simpliPRENEUR pays $99/month. An optional 2-year commitment waives the monthly fee entirely and drops the cap to $7,000.
Under the 2-year commitment:
- Platform fee savings: $1,188/year
- Cap reduction: $500 less paid to brokerage
- Total annual benefit: $1,688
That brings the full-year take-home to $133,812 + $1,688 = $135,500 — an $11,770 advantage over eXp on the same 20-deal year.
The 2-year commitment is available to any simpliPRENEUR or simpliSHARE agent. It is not restricted to ACE agents or high producers.
The Honest Caveats
A few things this comparison does not include.
eXp's $25 broker review fee and $40 E&O fee apply per transaction in most markets. Including them would add $1,300 to eXp's annual cost on 20 transactions.
simpliHŌM's broker fee is 0.1% of contract price with a $199 minimum and $399 maximum. The $375 figure used here assumes a ~$375,000 contract price. Lower-priced transactions hit the $199 floor; higher-priced transactions hit the $399 ceiling. The math shifts slightly depending on your average price point, but the structural advantage holds across most market ranges.
Transaction coordination costs at eXp vary by market and individual TC. The $350 figure is a conservative midpoint. Many agents pay $400–$500 per transaction, which would widen the gap further.
The Structural Problem With eXp's Model
eXp's $16,000 cap is not arbitrary — it is the ceiling on how much the brokerage takes before the split disappears. But the design means an agent paying 20% on every transaction doesn't see post-cap economics until they've handed over $16,000 in a single year.
For a 20-deal agent at $7,500 average commission, that means 11 full transactions at 20% before the math shifts. At simpliHŌM, the shift happens at transaction 7. Four extra transactions at a 15% split is not a minor footnote. It is $4,500 in brokerage costs that disappear under a lower-cap structure.
The split and the cap are not independent variables. They compound. A higher split rate means you reach a higher cap more slowly, which means you spend more of your year in the expensive phase of the model.
Running the Numbers on Your Own Production
The scenario above uses $7,500 average gross commission and 20 transactions. Your numbers are different. The structure of the comparison is not.
Close 15 transactions at $9,000 average GCI and the cap timing shifts. Close 25 transactions at $6,000 average GCI and the post-cap benefit at simpliHŌM compounds further. The math always runs in the same direction: a lower cap and a lower split rate mean you keep more, faster.
simpliHŌM's plans and full fee structure are published without asterisks. Run your own numbers against your own production volume and average commission before making any brokerage decision.
FAQs
Does simpliHŌM's cap reset on January 1 like eXp's? No. simpliHŌM caps reset on the agent's anniversary date — the date they joined. Your post-cap window is tied to your production cycle, not the calendar. An agent who joins in September and caps in March gets a full post-cap run through August before the reset.
What does eXp charge after the $16,000 cap is hit? eXp charges a $250 per-transaction fee after capping. simpliHŌM charges 0.1% of the contract price (between $199 and $399) on every transaction, including post-cap ones. On a $375,000 contract, that's $375 at simpliHŌM versus $250 at eXp post-cap. The post-cap transaction fee is one area where eXp is lower. The pre-cap math is where simpliHŌM's advantage is decisive.
Does simpliHŌM include transaction coordination, or is that an add-on? Free transaction coordination is included on every deal — part of the base platform, not an upgrade. eXp does not include TC, meaning eXp agents typically hire an independent TC at $300–$500 per transaction.
What does the $99/month platform fee at simpliHŌM actually cover? Lofty CRM with IDX site and automated lead routing, Dotloop Premium, ShowingTime+, AI Virtual Staging, AI Headshots, AI Marketing, Automated Testimonials, the HOMhq platform hub, and free transaction coordination on every deal. The simpliSHARE plan adds daily coaching through Bill Pipes and a 7-level revenue share program.
Can I waive the $99/month fee at simpliHŌM? Yes, with an optional 2-year commitment. The monthly fee is waived entirely under that term, and the cap drops — to $7,000 for simpliPRENEUR and $14,000 for simpliSHARE. Month-to-month remains the default. The 2-year commitment is available to any simpliPRENEUR or simpliSHARE agent.
Does simpliHŌM offer equity like eXp's stock program? simpliHŌM grants pre-IPO equity in the form of RSUs and Convertible Bonus Certificates when agents cap. simpliPRENEUR agents receive 250 equity units on cap. simpliSHARE agents receive 1,000 RSUs plus a $15,000 CBC each year they cap. This is pre-IPO equity — not publicly traded stock. eXp offers publicly traded EXPI shares already priced by the market. The two structures are different in nature and risk profile.
What is the fastest way to get started at simpliHŌM? Most agents are fully operational within 48–72 hours of joining. Onboarding runs through the HOMhq platform.
The Bottom Line
On a 20-deal year at $150,000 GCI, Agent A keeps $133,812 at simpliHŌM simpliPRENEUR and $123,730 at eXp Realty. That is a $10,082 difference on identical production.
The gap comes from three places: a 5-point split advantage, a cap that is $8,500 lower, and transaction coordination that is included rather than billed separately. None of those are hidden. They are structural features of each model that compound across every transaction you close.
To run the math against your own production numbers, joinsimplihom.com has the full plan breakdown and the tools to do it.