So you recently closed a deal and you’re waiting on your commission check. Now you’re wondering when you’ll get paid. Waiting weeks for your hard-earned money is frustrating. It can also be a sign that something isn’t right at your brokerage.
Let’s try to figure that out together.
In today’s real estate world, agents should expect payment immediately at closing or within just a few days. Anything longer deserves a closer look.
Here’s what we’re going to break down in this guide:
- What a normal timeline looks like
- Why are some payments delayed
- The red flags you can’t afford to ignore
- What options do you have if your broker is dragging their feet?
Whether you’re new to the business or feeling stuck with a broker who’s not respecting your time and effort, this article will give you the facts, and a path forward.
What’s the Typical Timeline to Get Paid After a Closing?
When everything runs the way it should, real estate agents should be paid at the closing table or within 24 to 72 hours after closing. That’s not wishful thinking, it’s standard industry practice when brokers prioritize efficiency and respect their agents’ hard work.
In the fastest cases, if your paperwork is fully compliant and submitted ahead of time, your payment can be issued the same day the transaction closes. Many modern brokerages and title companies are set up to wire commission funds immediately or cut checks on-site. Some states even allow agents to be paid directly by the title company at closing, provided the brokerage has authorized it in advance.
Here are the guidelines for Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
- Florida: You can be paid at closing (immediate), by mailed check, or by Direct Deposit.
- Georgia: You can be paid at closing (immediate), by mailed check, or by Direct Deposit.
- Alabama: The Alabama Real Estate Commission does not allow getting Paid at Closing.
So is it normal to wait a week or more for your commission? Absolutely not.
If you find yourself waiting more than three business days and you’re getting vague answers instead of clear timelines, that’s a red flag worth paying attention to. Agents deserve quick, reliable pay, and anything longer than a few days could signal deeper issues with how your broker operates behind the scenes.
Why Is My Commission Payment Taking So Long?
If you’re sitting there refreshing your bank account, wondering where your commission check is, you’re not overreacting. Agents should not have to chase down the money they’ve earned. When payment delays happen, there’s usually an underlying problem, and it’s almost never a good one.
Let’s break down the seven most common reasons your commission might be delayed:
1. Outdated Paper Check Systems
Some brokers still cling to mailing paper checks, even when faster, safer methods like ACH transfers are available. Besides being painfully slow, relying on postal services introduces unnecessary risks like lost or stolen checks.
2. Broker Administrative Inefficiencies
Slow internal processes, poor compliance review systems, or bottlenecked admin teams can add days, or even weeks, to your payout. And frankly, that’s not your burden to bear.
3. Title Company Processing Delays
While most title companies cut checks immediately after recording, occasionally a slow title company can delay disbursement. However, these cases are rare and often sorted within a day or two, not weeks.
4. Missing Paperwork or Compliance Checks
If your transaction file isn’t complete, your broker legally can’t release your commission yet. But good brokerages like Realty Hub flag missing items upfront, before closing day, so you’re not left wondering where your money is.
5. Centralized Corporate Processing Centers
Big-name brokerages often route payments through centralized hubs, where your transaction becomes just another file in a huge queue. This can easily add 5–7 unnecessary days to what should be a simple payout.
6. Broker Traveling or Unavailable
If your broker is the bottleneck and they happen to be out of town, on vacation, or just slow to respond, you’re stuck waiting. A strong brokerage has systems that run whether leadership is in the office or not.
7. Potential Broker Cash Flow Problems
Some brokers delay agent payments because they don’t have enough liquidity. If they’re waiting for their operating account to clear title company checks before paying you, that’s a major warning sign. So now, let’s segway into identifying the warning signs.
Warning Signs Your Broker May Be the Problem
Not every delay is innocent. Sometimes, a slow commission payout is more than just a paperwork hiccup, it’s a sign your broker is running an outdated, inefficient, or even risky operation. If you’re experiencing these issues, it’s time to start asking hard questions:
1. Requiring Multiple Reminders to Process Payment
If you have to follow up once to get paid, that’s a nuisance. If you have to follow up twice, or more, that’s unacceptable. A professional brokerage should have a system that ensures you get paid promptly, without needing to chase them down.
2. Insisting on Paper Checks Over ACH or Wire
In 2025, insisting on mailing paper checks instead of offering ACH direct deposit is a giant red flag. Brokers who cling to old-school methods are prioritizing their convenience (or cost-cutting) over your financial security.
3. Excuses About Quarterly Reporting or Internal Systems
If your broker tells you they have to delay payments to manage quarterly reports or company accounting, that’s not a valid excuse. Your commission is your money, earned at closing, not a balancing line on their books.
4. Repeated “Lost in Mail” Stories
Everyone loses a piece of mail once in a while. But if you hear the “check must have gotten lost” excuse more than once, it’s not a coincidence. It’s sloppy systems, or worse, a stall tactic.
5. Vague or Inconsistent Answers When You Ask About Status
When you ask, “Where’s my commission?” the answer should be clear, immediate, and specific. If you’re hearing “soon,” “we’re working on it,” or “it’s with accounting” without real timelines, your broker is either disorganized or hiding something.
Does a Slow Paycheck Mean My Broker is in Financial Trouble?
Sometimes, unfortunately, it does.Brokers struggling with cash flow often delay paying agents because they’re floating checks, juggling accounts, or waiting for their own money to clear. If a broker doesn’t have reserves to immediately pay commissions upon receiving funds from the title company, that’s a major sign of financial instability.
Can You Trust a Broker Who Delays Your Pay?
Trust is the foundation of every good agent-broker relationship. When a broker delays your commission payment, they’re not just inconveniencing you, they’re sending a clear signal about how they operate their business.
Delayed payments often reflect deeper organizational problems:
- Poor internal systems and processes
- Lack of respect for agent livelihoods
- Short-term financial instability
- A culture that views agents as expendable rather than essential
A brokerage’s payment practices say more about their priorities than any sales pitch ever could. A broker who respects your work will make sure you get paid quickly, every time, without excuses.
Will I Still Get My Commission If I Leave the Brokerage?
Yes, you are legally entitled to your earned commission even if you leave your brokerage. Once you have completed your side of the transaction and closing has occurred, that commission is yours, regardless of your status with the broker afterward. If you’re considering leaving due to payment issues, don’t let the fear of losing your commission hold you back. A professional broker will honor that obligation; if not, you have legal avenues to pursue it.
How Long is Too Long to Wait? (When to Start Worrying)
There’s a difference between reasonable processing time and unacceptable stalling.
Here’s a simple guide based on what we see across professional brokerages:
- More than 3 business days without clear communication? Warning sign. Your broker should be able to tell you exactly where your payment stands.
- More than 7 days without legitimate paperwork issues? Big trouble. Most compliant deals should be paid within a week at the very latest.
- More than 2 weeks? It’s time to seriously consider your options. No professional operation needs that long to process a clean, closed transaction.
Talk to other agents in your market. Most of them are getting paid same day or within 48 hours after closing. If your broker can’t keep up, it’s not the industry standard, it’s them.
What to Do If Your Broker Isn’t Paying You Fast Enough
If you’re tired of waiting, getting vague answers, or feeling like your income is out of your hands, you don’t have to stay stuck. You have options, and the sooner you act, the better.
1. Check Your Independent Contractor Agreement
Start by reviewing the agreement you signed with your brokerage. Some contracts spell out payment timelines. If yours says you should be paid within a set number of days, you have strong leverage to push for immediate action.
2. Ask for a Direct Deposit Option
If your brokerage insists on mailing checks, ask if they offer ACH (direct deposit) payments instead. Many modern brokerages, including Realty Hub, offer digital payments to eliminate unnecessary lag time and avoid mail delays.
3. Communicate Clearly (in Writing)
Document everything. Send a polite but firm email requesting the status of your payment. Written communication creates a paper trail that protects you if the situation escalates.
4. Escalate to Your State’s Real Estate Commission if Needed
If the broker still refuses to pay promptly, you have the right to file a complaint with your state’s real estate commission. Brokers are required by law to disburse earned commissions in a timely manner.
Should You Switch Brokerages?
If you’ve had to fight for every commission check, or you’re constantly left wondering when you’ll get paid, it’s not just an inconvenience. It’s a warning sign that you’re at the wrong place.
Here’s when it’s time to move on:
- Payment delays are recurring, not one-offs
- Excuses outweigh solutions
- You feel like you’re begging for your own earnings
- Other agents around you are getting paid faster elsewhere
Agents deserve more.
You deserve a brokerage that treats you like a business owner, respects your work, and delivers your paycheck reliably, without drama.
Can I Negotiate Getting Paid Directly from Escrow?
Sometimes, yes, but it depends on your state and your brokerage agreement.
In states like Georgia, you may need a special “pay at close” letter for the title company to wire your commission directly to you. Some brokers, like Realty Hub, structure their systems to make agent payments as fast and seamless as possible, whether that’s direct from title or immediately after closing documents are submitted.
If your broker blocks or resists direct payment options, that’s another sign they’re operating in a way that benefits them, not you.
Greener Pastures Exist: Explore 100% Commission Brokerages
If you’re tired of feeling powerless over your own income, you should know that you have better options. Flat-fee, 100% commission brokerages are changing the real estate industry by putting agents first. Instead of handing over a percentage of every deal you close, you pay a simple, flat fee per year and per transaction. That means you keep everything you earn.
At modern brokerages like Realty Hub, there’s no bloated corporate overhead, no layers of middle management slowing down your payments, and no unnecessary bureaucracy.
Your business stays yours. Your paycheck stays yours.
You have the freedom to build your career the way you want, with full financial transparency and zero games around when, or if, you’ll get paid.
Why Agents Are Moving to Realty Hub for More Freedom and Faster Pay
At Realty Hub, we built our platform specifically for agents who are ready to take control of their business, and their income.
Here’s what you get with us:
- Keep 100% of your commission, for just $100/year and $100 per transaction
- Fast, reliable payments, processed immediately after you close, with no holding period
- Support when you need it, independence when you don’t, because we trust agents to run their business like professionals
- No franchise fees, no desk fees, no hidden tech costs, just simple, straightforward support
- Perfect for agents who value speed, trust, and financial control, not endless excuses and corporate red tape
Ready to take control of your real estate career?
Learn how Realty Hub helps agents close deals, and get paid, on their terms. →
At the end of the day, you shouldn’t have to fight for your own paycheck. You shouldn’t have to wonder if today is the day you’ll finally get paid.
You deserve a brokerage that moves as fast as you do.
You deserve a partner that respects the work you put in, and hands you your commission without delay.