In real estate, closing day is a milestone, but it’s not payday. Many new agents assume they’ll walk out of the title office with a check in hand. That’s rarely how it works.
Real estate commission is typically paid after the closing paperwork is complete, funds have cleared, and the broker has reviewed and approved all documents. Depending on your brokerage’s internal systems, that could mean getting paid at the table, within a day or two, or waiting more than a week.
What Actually Happens at Closing
Closing day marks the legal transfer of property ownership, but for agents, it’s not when the money hits your account.
At the table, buyers sign loan documents, sellers sign deeds, and the escrow company ensures that funds are correctly disbursed. Once everything is signed and funded, the deal is officially “closed.”
Many agents assume they’ll get paid immediately after these signatures. In reality, you’re not handed a check at closing in most cases. The commission is first wired to the broker’s trust account, not directly to the agent. From there, a series of internal steps have to happen, each of which can delay payment.
The Payment Pipeline: Step-by-Step Timeline
Step 1 – Deal Closes and Funds Transfer
Once the buyer’s loan funds and the documents are signed, the escrow company disburses funds. Part of those funds are earmarked for commissions, which are pulled from the home sale proceeds and held in escrow until the title is officially transferred.
Step 2 – Brokerage Receives Commission
Those commission funds are typically routed directly to the agent’s brokerage, not the agent. This surprises a lot of first-time agents. From here, your broker becomes the gatekeeper, processing your payment based on their internal systems, timelines, and verification procedures.
Step 3 – Paperwork Verification
Before you get paid, the brokerage will review your closing documents, contracts, disclosures, settlement statements, etc., for compliance. If anything is missing or incorrect, payment gets paused. In fact, incomplete documents are the #1 reason agents don’t get paid promptly.
Step 4 – Broker Processes Payment
Once the paperwork checks out, the broker processes your commission. At this stage, internal policies vary widely:
- Some brokers issue a paper check and mail it
- Some require the agent to physically pick it up
- Others initiate an ACH or direct deposit
“My broker says they mailed it but it’s been 12 days…”
Sound familiar? Many agents have experienced delays due to outdated or manual processes. That’s why it’s critical to ask your broker up front how and when they release commission.
How Long Does It Really Take? (And What Causes Delays?)
On average, agents are paid 1 to 5 business days after closing. But this varies significantly depending on your brokerage’s structure.
- Some agents are paid immediately, especially those at brokerages that disburse at the closing table or use automated direct deposit systems.
- Others wait 2+ weeks, especially when working with traditional firms bogged down by manual approvals and compliance bottlenecks.
Common Delays Include:
- Manual check mailing: Still shockingly common in 2025, and subject to postal delays or loss.
- Broker backlog: High-volume offices may delay payments simply due to administrative volume.
- Missing documents: A single missing disclosure can freeze your check until resolved.
- Attorney hold-ups: If a closing attorney forgets to mail the broker’s check, or mails it to the wrong office, your payment stalls.
How Do Different Brokerages Handle Commission Payouts?
In traditional real estate firms, commission doesn’t just land in your account after a closing. It has to pass through multiple internal checkpoints: from the agent to the team leader, then to the broker, and finally through administrative staff before a check is cut or a deposit is initiated.
This multi-step process introduces delays, and not just a day or two. Some agents report waiting over two weeks to get paid due to:
- Approval layers that require paperwork to be signed off by multiple people
- Backlogged admins juggling dozens of transactions at once
- Commission splits that deduct 10–20% or more before the agent ever sees the balance
For agents trying to plan their finances or reinvest in marketing, that kind of unpredictability is a serious limitation.
Flat-Fee Brokerages
Now contrast that with flat-fee brokerages. Instead of carving off a percentage of your earnings, we offer a 100% commission model, you keep what you earn. Agents pay just $100 per transaction, no matter how big the deal is.
More importantly, you don’t wait for five layers of approval. At Realty Hub:
- Commission is disbursed quickly, often the same day as closing
- Direct deposit is available
- No bloated hierarchy slows down your paycheck
- Agents don’t deal with surprise deductions or “desk fees”
Helpful Tip: Always ask your broker upfront: “Do you offer direct deposit? How soon after closing do you release the commission?” If the answer is vague, expect delays.
How Much Do Realtors Actually Make Per Sale?
Real estate commissions are based on the sale price of the property. Typically, the total commission is 5–6%, split evenly between the listing and buyer’s agents. That means each side earns about 2.5–3% of the total.
But that doesn’t mean agents take home the full 3%.
If you’re on a traditional split model, you’ll share that with your brokerage, and possibly a team leader. Let’s break down the math:
Example on a $400,000 Home Sale:
- Total commission: $24,000 (6%)
- Buyer’s agent share: $12,000
- Broker split (e.g., 70/30): $3,600 to the broker
- Agent net: $8,400
Now compare that to Realty Hub’s flat-fee model:
- You keep the full $12,000
- Minus a flat $100 transaction fee
- Agent net: $11,900
That’s an extra $3,500 per deal, money that goes back into your business or your pocket.
How Fast Can New Agents Start Getting Paid?
Speeding up your first paycheck depends on several key factors:
- Your license activation status
- How quickly your brokerage onboards you
- When you close your first transaction
- Local market conditions (some markets move faster than others)
Many new agents are shocked by how long it takes to go from “licensed” to “paid.” If you’re just starting, you’re not alone if you’re asking:
“I’m new and still haven’t gotten a check. How do I speed things up?”
Here’s how:
- Volunteer for open houses (you’ll meet active buyers in person)
- Tap into referrals from your sphere (especially renters and FSBOs)
- Offer to represent buyers (they typically close faster than listings)
And most critically: Work with a brokerage that doesn’t slow you down.
Common Questions Agents Really Want to Know
“Can I get paid the same day I close?”
Yes, but it depends on your brokerage. If your broker allows funding disbursement at closing and your paperwork is complete, same-day payment is possible. Realty Hub agents, for example, can choose direct deposit or closing-table disbursement, making delays nearly nonexistent.
“Why is my attorney sitting on the check?”
Some attorneys don’t mail the broker’s check promptly, or worse, send it to the wrong address. If you’re facing this, call the attorney directly and ask to pick it up in person. You’ll cut out several days of delay and maintain visibility over your commission timeline.
“What if the deal falls through?”
Unless your agreement explicitly protects your earnings in the event of a failed closing, you don’t get paid. Real estate is commission-based, no sale means no paycheck. This is why time management and pipeline diversification are so critical.
“How can I track when my commission is coming?”
Don’t wait and wonder. Use tools like:
- Closing checklists or CRM reminders
- Transaction coordinator updates
- Bank alerts for direct deposit
Always verify with your admin or broker if you’re unsure. If they don’t notify you, set your own systems in place.
“Is it weird that I had to wait two weeks?”
Unfortunately, it’s not unusual, especially in large, traditional offices. If your office still issues paper checks, relies on manual approvals, or processes payouts weekly instead of daily, these kinds of delays are built into the system. It may be time to reconsider how that affects your cash flow.
Pro Tips to Get Paid Faster as a Real Estate Agent
If fast payouts matter to you (and they should), here’s how top agents minimize lag:
- Choose a brokerage that pays fast. Flat-fee models like Realty Hub offer direct deposit with minimal admin friction.
- Submit complete, clean documents. The majority of commission delays are caused by missing disclosures or errors in your file.
- Avoid check mailing. Ask if you can pick up your check or request a wire transfer instead.
- Clarify payout timing during onboarding. Don’t wait until you’re closing to find out how long payment takes.
- Stay organized. Transaction management software, calendar reminders, and internal checklists keep everything moving on schedule.
Reality check: Agents who close deals faster aren’t just better negotiators, they’re more organized. They know their systems, and they know their numbers.
What to Expect and How to Stay in Control
Getting paid in real estate isn’t always as straightforward as it should be. Between attorneys, brokers, admin staff, and state laws, you’re navigating a lot of moving parts. But that doesn’t mean your earnings have to be a mystery.
Here’s what we’ve seen: agents who understand their broker’s policies, submit their paperwork promptly, and avoid traditional bottlenecks get paid faster and more predictably.
We’ve stripped away the layers that delay commission.
Here’s How Realty Hub Solves It:
1. Flat-Fee Simplicity: You keep 100% of your commission. We charge just $100 per year and $100 per transaction. No splits, no franchise fees, no hidden “tech packages.”
2. Fast Commission Disbursement: Choose direct deposit or get paid at the closing table. No waiting for approvals, no team leader cuts, no vague timelines.
3. Freedom with Support (Only When You Want It): You’re in control. We provide broker access, compliance systems, and transaction tools, but only when you need them.
You’ll thrive here if you’re:
- An experienced or part-time agent tired of giving away your earnings
- A self-starter who values autonomy and hates red tape
- Someone who wants to keep more of what you earn, and get paid without delay
If you’re ready to stop chasing your commission and start owning your income 👉Join Realty Hub now.