You passed the exam, and now you have to pick a brokerage. If you are new to the industry, that choice can feel impossible. Every brokerage says it offers training, support, and opportunity. Online threads give you opinions, not criteria. And the question "which one is best?" has no single answer, because the right brokerage depends on what you need in your first year.
This guide gives you a way to compare, not a recommendation to pick any one company. You will get the six factors that matter most for a new agent in Dallas-Fort Worth, a scorecard you can reuse on any brokerage, an example of what structured onboarding looks like, and a list of questions to ask on every call.
Quick answer: what makes a brokerage good for a new agent?
A good brokerage for a new agent teaches you the work, gives you a realistic way to find your first clients, puts an experienced person within reach, is clear about every cost, and offers a culture you can see yourself in. No brokerage is right for everyone, so the goal is fit. Jump to the scorecard, the training section, leads, or the 12 questions to ask.
One note on how we approach this: Monument is a DFW brokerage, so we will use its programs as examples where they help, and we will label them clearly. If you want to see how Monument works, you can read about Join Monument Realty, but the scorecard below works on any brokerage, including ours.
First, what does "sponsoring broker" mean in Texas?
In Texas, a sales agent must be sponsored by a licensed broker to perform any act of real estate services, and an inactive agent cannot practice until sponsored (TREC: Become a Real Estate Sales Agent). Your sponsoring broker is responsible for your actions as a license holder, and all commissions are paid through that broker (TREC frequently asked questions). So "choosing a brokerage" and "choosing a sponsoring broker" are the same decision. It also means the brokerage you pick matters beyond branding: that broker supervises your work.
The six things that matter in year one
Most new agents compare brokerages on commission alone. That matters, but it is only one of six factors. Here is what to look for in each.
Factor | What good looks like | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
Training | A structured program for new agents, with a schedule and instructors, not just recorded videos | What happens in my first 30 days, day by day? |
Leads | A clear explanation of whether leads are provided, how they are assigned, and what is required of you | What do I have to do to receive leads, and what does it cost? |
Mentorship and review | A named person who reviews your early contracts and answers questions quickly | Who looks at my first contracts before they go out? |
Fees and commission terms | Every fee in writing, with no surprises after you join | What is the full list of fees, and which apply if I do not close a deal this month? |
Systems and support | A CRM, transaction support, marketing help, and compliance guidance included or clearly priced | What tools and admin support do I get, and what do I pay for? |
Culture and office access | Agents who are helpful, an office you can reach, and events you will actually attend | Can I sit in on a meeting and talk to agents who joined last year? |
A scorecard you can reuse
To compare brokerages side by side, rate each one from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) on each factor. Then weight the factors by what matters to you. For example, if you have no network at all, you might weight leads and training more heavily. If you have a strong sphere, you might weight fees and flexibility more.
Factor | Weight (1-3) | Brokerage A (1-5) | Brokerage B (1-5) | Brokerage C (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Training | ||||
Leads | ||||
Mentorship and review | ||||
Fees and commission terms | ||||
Systems and support | ||||
Culture and office access |
Multiply each score by its weight, add them up, and compare totals. Treat the number as a conversation starter, not a verdict. If one brokerage scores low on something you consider essential, that matters more than the total.
Training: structured onboarding vs. "figure it out"
The biggest difference between brokerages for a new agent is what happens in the first few weeks. Some give you a license-hanging arrangement and a login. Others give you a structured program with instructors, a schedule, and review of your early work.
A real onboarding program usually has a defined start and end, in-person or live sessions where you can practice, instruction from people who work in the business, and accountability so you keep moving. BLS notes that training varies by company: some provide formal training, while others let agents enter the field immediately after getting licensed.
As one example, labeled as Monument's: the Launch program is a full-time, in-person intensive that runs Monday through Friday for 3.5 weeks at the Dallas office. It includes hands-on training in the essential skills for working with clients, instruction from Monument leadership, experienced agents, and industry partners, and one-on-one weekly accountability. A second program, Focus, continues beyond the intensive: your first four contracts are reviewed by your instructor, and agents have monthly in-person sessions and virtual sessions to ask questions and share wins. See how it is laid out at The Monument Academy.
What matters is not whether a brokerage copies this format. It is whether it can show you a comparable level of structure. For a month-by-month view of your first year, see our guide to first-year real estate agent tips.
Leads: what to expect and what not to
New agents often ask whether a brokerage will give them leads. The honest answer is that it depends, and the details matter more than the headline.
- Self-generated. You find all of your own business: your sphere, referrals, open houses, marketing. You keep full control, but nobody hands you a pipeline.
- Lead-based programs. The brokerage supplies leads to participating agents, usually along with training and coaching. You still have to follow up and earn the client, and programs come with requirements.
For a new agent, the difference between cold prospecting and working leads can be the difference between starting conversations in week one and starting them after months of building a network. That is why lead flow matters. It is also why you should ask what comes with it. Monument's Launch is a lead-based program with a consistent flow of Monument-provided leads. Monument's Academy page lists participation expectations for its lead-based coaching programs, including actively working a minimum number of leads each month based on lead flow, taking part in a quarterly training session, and attending scheduled check-ins.
Be cautious with any brokerage that implies leads are automatic, free, or guaranteed to turn into income. Ask who owns the leads, how they are assigned, what each program costs, and what happens if you miss a requirement. We cover how Monument's programs work on our application page.
Cost and commission splits at a glance
Fees and splits vary widely, and they should be compared in total, not in isolation. A lower split with strong training and leads can leave you better off than a higher split with no support, and the reverse can also be true depending on your situation. When you compare, ask for every fee in writing: monthly fees, per-transaction fees, technology and insurance fees, and program costs. We do not publish specific numbers here because they differ by brokerage and change over time.
Realistic first-year expectations
It helps to start with accurate expectations. BLS notes that earnings may be irregular, especially for beginners, and that agents sometimes go weeks or months without a sale. Most new agents take time to build a pipeline, and a closed transaction can take months to arrive after the first conversation. The right brokerage will not remove that timeline, but it can give you structure, support, and opportunities to work while you build. Plan your finances for a slow start, and treat any promise of fast income as a warning sign.
12 questions to ask on every brokerage call
Use the same list with every brokerage so your answers are comparable. For a longer framework, read our guide on how to choose a real estate brokerage.
- What does training look like in my first 30 days, and is it required?
- Who is my main point of contact, and how quickly do they respond?
- Will someone review my first contracts before I submit them?
- Does the brokerage provide leads? How are they assigned?
- What is required of me to receive and keep leads?
- What is the full list of fees, including any that apply when I do not close a deal?
- How is commission divided, and are there caps or tiers?
- What systems, such as a CRM and transaction support, are included?
- What marketing support is provided, and what does it cost?
- Where are the offices, and can I attend meetings in person?
- Can I talk to agents who joined in the past year?
- What happens if I want to leave, including pending transactions?
Go deeper
If you want to see how one DFW brokerage handles training, leads, and support, read about Join Monument Realty and explore The Monument Academy. Monument has offices across Dallas-Fort Worth, including Frisco, Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Prosper, and Rockwall, which matters if you want in-person training and an office you can reach.
Next step: See how Monument's Launch program works, then apply on our join page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best brokerage for a new agent in Texas?
There is no single best brokerage. The right one gives you structured training, a realistic way to find clients, mentorship and contract review, clear fees, and a culture that fits you. Use a scorecard to compare brokerages on the same factors and weight them by what you need most.
Should a new agent pick a brokerage with training or a high split?
Compare the total picture. A brokerage with strong training and support can be worth more to a new agent than a higher split with little help, but it depends on your network, your budget, and how much structure you need. Ask for every fee in writing and compare the full cost.
How much training do new agents really get?
It varies widely. BLS notes that some companies provide formal training while others let agents start right after licensing. Ask for a day-by-day outline of your first 30 days. For example, Monument's Launch program is a full-time, in-person intensive, Monday through Friday for 3.5 weeks.
Do new agents get leads from the brokerage?
Some brokerages offer lead programs, and many do not. If a brokerage does, ask how leads are assigned, what the program costs, and what is required of you. Monument's Launch program includes a consistent flow of Monument-provided leads, with participation expectations.
How long does a new agent take to close a first deal?
There is no standard timeline. BLS notes that earnings may be irregular for beginners and that agents sometimes go weeks or months without a sale. A closing also takes time to arrive after the first conversation, so plan your finances for a slow start.
Can I switch brokerages after my first year?
Yes. Under TREC rules, sponsorship ends when the agent or broker terminates it, and you are then sponsored by a new broker through a change of sponsorship. Read your agreement first, since it may address pending transactions and notice, and do not practice while your license is inactive between sponsors.
