EMBRY GROUP AT CRUE REALTY | CAREERS
Embry Group at Crue Realty | Huntsville, AL
Most real estate agents don't earn a salary or an hourly wage. They're paid by commission, a share of the fee earned when a home sale closes. That money goes to the agent's sponsoring brokerage first, and the agent receives their share based on their agreement with that brokerage or team. It's a business model with real upside, but it works very differently from a regular paycheck, so it's worth understanding before you get licensed.
Commission: Paid at Closing, Not Before
When a sale closes, the commission is paid to the brokerage, not directly to the agent. Commissions are negotiable and aren't set by law. They're agreed on with each client. Since 2024, buyers sign a written agreement with their agent that spells out compensation, so every deal's terms are clear upfront.
The key thing for new agents: you get paid when a deal closes, not when you sign a client. A buyer you meet today might not close for two or three months.
The Split: Brokerage, Team, and You
Your share of each commission depends on two relationships:
- Your brokerage holds your license and handles compliance, contracts, and broker support. Brokerages charge for that in different ways. Some use monthly, desk, or transaction fees. Others, like Crue Realty, tie brokerage costs to production instead.
- Your team, if you join one, provides leads, marketing, systems, coaching, and support in exchange for a share of the commission.
At Embry Group, the split isn't one-size-fits-all. It's built around experience:
- Brand-new agents start in a mentor program with extra hands-on coaching through their first deals, then graduate after 10 transactions.
- First-year agents who don't need the mentor program get full access to the team's leads, systems, and training.
- After 12 months, agents earn a higher split on business from their own sphere of influence, while still getting team-generated opportunities.
Ask any brokerage or team to walk you through its structure in writing. And for the bigger picture, read Real Estate Team vs. Going Solo.
The Costs Agents Cover, and What a Team Can Cover
Agents are typically independent contractors, so some business costs can land on you: licensing and continuing education, REALTOR® and MLS dues, errors and omissions insurance, marketing, technology, mileage, and taxes, since commissions usually aren't withheld like a paycheck.
That's where team support makes a real difference. At Embry Group, the team invests in:
- Opportunity: leads, the CRM, and technology
- Marketing: listing marketing, photography and media where applicable, signs, business cards, and client materials
- Growth: weekly training, coaching, and a yearly summit
- Support: administrative and transaction support, the office, team events, and client events
Whatever you're considering, ask exactly which costs are covered and which are yours before you sign.
What to Plan for in Your First Year
The first year is usually the leanest, because it takes time to build relationships and close your first deals. A few things help:
- Build a cushion. Many new agents plan for several months of living expenses before they start.
- Set aside money for taxes from every commission.
- Track your pipeline, not just your closings, so you can see income coming before it arrives.
- Get support early. At Embry Group, new agents get weekly trainings, coaching, and monthly team meetings from day one.
Not licensed yet? Start with How to Get Your Real Estate License in Alabama.
Questions to Ask Before You Join a Brokerage or Team
- What is the split, and how does it change as I gain experience?
- Which business costs does the brokerage or team cover?
- Where do leads come from, and what's expected of me with them?
- What training is available in my first 90 days?
- What production and activity expectations come with joining?
Talk Through the Numbers With Us
We'd rather you go in with clear expectations than be surprised later. A Discovery Meeting is a no-pressure conversation where we walk you through exactly how our structure works, what's covered, and whether it fits your goals. Book a Discovery Meeting.
Embry Group at Crue Realty | Huntsville, AL | (256) 690-0340 | [email protected]
