How to Tell Your Broker You’re Leaving

Leaving your real estate brokerage can feel overwhelming, even if it’s the right move for your career. You might be asking yourself:

How do I say it?
What if my broker takes it personally?
Will I lose my clients or access to my CRM?

These aren’t just logistical questions, they’re emotional ones too.

Know this. Switching brokerages is a normal part of an agent’s journey. In fact, most agents do it multiple times throughout their careers. 

Whether it’s about commission splits, support that doesn’t support you, or simply needing more autonomy, this decision is a business move, not a betrayal.

This guide will walk you through the exact steps to tell your broker you’re leaving, with professionalism, clarity, and confidence. No drama. No bridge burning. Just a clean break that sets you up for your next chapter.

Let’s dive in.

Why Agents Leave Their Broker (And Why That’s Okay)

If you’re feeling like it’s time to move on, you’re not alone. Most real estate agents change brokerages every 3 to 5 years. It’s part of how this industry works. Growth often requires change, and change sometimes means making bold moves to protect your income, time, and values.

For many agents, the reasons are clear:

• Commission structure no longer adds up: When you start doing the math, it’s hard to ignore how much you’re giving away, especially if the support you’re getting doesn’t match what you’re paying.
• The culture doesn’t fit anymore: Maybe it did at the beginning. Maybe it never did. But when the environment becomes a mismatch for your work style or mindset, it’s time to reassess.
• You want autonomy: The flexibility to build your business your way, with your brand, your tools, and your process, isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.

Still, many agents hesitate. There’s a real emotional pull to stay, especially if you’ve had a mentor relationship with your broker or started your career under their wing. And yes, there’s a lingering fear: “Will leaving damage my reputation?”

The answer? Not if you handle it with professionalism. Ghosting, trash-talking, or taking clients without a conversation, that’ll hurt you. But a calm, clear exit? That’s business.

Last month, we wrote a blog about toxic office politics at brokerages and what to do for the benefit of your career as a real estate agent.

Steps 1–3: Prepare Quietly Before You Resign

Leaving the right way starts before you even schedule the conversation. Here’s how to prep behind the scenes.

1. Read Your Independent Contractor Agreement (ICA)

Your ICA is more than just fine print. It’s a legal document that can dictate how smooth, or stressful, your exit will be.

• Look for clauses related to termination timelines, commission payouts, and client data.
• Some brokerages charge administrative or transition fees for deals closed after your resignation. Don’t be caught off guard.
• Pay attention to who “owns” your leads and listings. You may need permission to bring anything with you.

2. Secure Your Business Data

Your client list is your business. And unfortunately, access to that data is often the first thing brokerages shut down after you give notice.

• Download and back up your CRM contacts, saved searches, listing notes, and key documents.
• Save them to a personal device or cloud platform you control.
• Don’t assume you’ll have access once the conversation happens, it’s smart to act like today might be your last day with those tools.

Some agents have lost years of client history in seconds. Don’t let that be you.

3. Get Your New Brokerage Setup First

Before you say anything, get your next chapter ready to go:

• File your license transfer paperwork
• Set up a branded email address that you own (not @youroldbroker.com)
• Build a basic website, even a one-pager, to keep your personal brand consistent
• Make sure your transaction systems are ready to go

Pro Tip: This is why we encourage agents to use personal domains and independent CRMs from day one. Your brand should always be yours, never the brokerage’s.

Steps 4-6: How to Tell Your Broker You’re Leaving

Once you’re ready, it’s time for the conversation. Here’s how to do it right.

4. Time It Right

If you can choose when to make your move, do it strategically. The slower months, typically December and January, mean fewer active deals and less disruption. And if you’re mid-transaction, consider staying through close or having a plan to transition clients smoothly.

5. Script Your Message (With Options)

You don’t need to explain everything. But what you say, and how you say it, matters.

Here’s a respectful sample you can tweak:

“I’ve learned a lot here, and I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had. But I’m looking for a structure that gives me more independence and aligns with how I want to grow my business.”

You can mention future goals, workload flexibility, or financial needs, but only if you’re comfortable. Keep it brief, professional, and neutral.

Can I resign by email?: Technically, yes. But if you’ve been there a while or have any relationship with your broker, a phone call or in-person conversation shows respect and avoids misunderstanding.

6. Have a Resignation Letter Ready

Your resignation letter should include:

• The date
• A simple thank you
• Your formal notice
• Your final working day

Keep a copy for your records. Some states and brokerages require this document for license transfers and commission processing.

Steps 7–10: What to Expect After Giving Notice

7. Expect Immediate Lockouts

Most brokerages will cut off access to your email, CRM, and backend tools as soon as you resign. It’s not personal, it’s policy. This is why prepping your data in advance is critical.

8. Plan for Listings, Deals, and Clients

Legally, listings belong to the brokerage, not the agent. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck.

• If clients want to follow you, they’ll need to cancel the original listing agreement and sign a new one with your new firm.
• Communicate early, and help clients navigate that paperwork.
• For deals already under contract, confirm how commissions will be handled.

And if a listing can’t be transferred? You may be able to negotiate a referral fee.

9. Notify Your Clients Professionally

Once your license has transferred and systems are in place, let your clients know.

• Avoid vague or apologetic language, be confident in your decision.
• Reassure them that their service won’t suffer, and explain how they can reach you going forward.
• Send an email or make personal phone calls depending on the client relationship.

10. Consider Sending a Thank-You Note

You might be leaving for a better fit, but a handwritten thank-you card can go a long way. Whether you loved your time or not, ending on a thoughtful note can protect future referral relationships and preserve your reputation.

That final impression matters. People remember how you finish, not just why you left.

Top Mistakes Agents Make (That You Should Avoid)

Even seasoned professionals can make missteps when exiting a brokerage. These mistakes can damage your reputation, delay your next move, or cost you financially. Here’s what to avoid:

• Telling coworkers before your broker: It might feel harmless, but sharing your plans with colleagues first can spark rumors, or worse, look like you’re recruiting. Always go to your broker directly, first.
• Speaking poorly about your current firm: Whether you’re frustrated with management, commission splits, or culture, don’t vent publicly. The real estate world is smaller than it seems, and your professionalism will follow you.
• Leaving without backing up your business data: If your CRM and client files live on company systems, assume they’ll be inaccessible the moment you resign. Backup everything ahead of time, while you still can.
• Assuming you can transfer listings freely: Most agents are surprised to learn listings are legally the property of the brokerage. Without client consent and the proper paperwork, you can’t bring them with you.
• Not reviewing your contract thoroughly: Your Independent Contractor Agreement outlines what you can and can’t do when you leave. Don’t guess, read it, and seek legal advice if something’s unclear.

When the Dust Settles: Your Post-Broker Checklist

Once the resignation is done and the move is official, don’t forget to tie up these loose ends:

• Complete your license transfer with your state commission or licensing body.
• Confirm commission payouts from any pending deals. Stay in communication with your former brokerage if you’re owed anything.
• Set up or update your Google Business Profile, website, and online presence so clients can find you easily.
• Reconnect with past clients to let them know where you are and how you can help them moving forward.
• Consider asking for a reference, especially if you left on good terms. It can be valuable for credibility and future referrals.

Thinking About What’s Next? Why Agents Choose Realty Hub

You’ve done the hard part, deciding it’s time to move on. But what you move into matters just as much as what you move away from.

At Realty Hub, we built our brokerage model for agents who are ready to take control of their business, without giving up a percentage of every deal just to keep the lights on.

Here’s why more agents across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama are choosing us:

• Flat-fee structure: $100 per year + $100 per transaction, no splits, no surprises.
• Keep 100% of your commission: Because you earned it, not us.
• No desk time, no pressure: We don’t do quotas, meetings, or micro-management.
• Ideal for all agent types: Full-time, part-time, referral-only, you run your business your way.
• Support when you need it, independence when you don’t: Real broker access, streamlined compliance, and agent community, without the overhead.

What Will Life Look Like After the Switch?

You’ll keep more of every commission check. You’ll skip mandatory meetings and office politics. You’ll get your evenings back. You’ll work how you want, with support behind you when you need it, and space when you don’t.

Start keeping what you deserve. 👉 Join Realty Hub today and flip the model.