Agents in Cicero evaluating eXp Realty and RE/MAX are weighing two fundamentally different brokerage models. eXp Realty is a cloud-based brokerage with a capped commission structure, equity participation, and revenue share built into its DNA. RE/MAX is a franchise system where agents typically pay desk fees or a high split in exchange for brand recognition and local office infrastructure. Neither is universally better — but for agents focused on keeping more of what they earn while building a scalable business, eXp's model tends to win the comparison.
Key takeaways:
- eXp Realty and RE/MAX operate on fundamentally different cost structures — eXp uses a cap-and-split model with no desk fees, while RE/MAX often charges desk fees on top of splits.
- eXp agents can earn equity in the company and build revenue share income; RE/MAX agents generally cannot.
- Joining eXp under a high-producing sponsor like Riley Hextell adds mentorship, training, and lead-gen systems that most RE/MAX offices don't replicate.
- Both brokerages offer national brand presence, but eXp's cloud-based model removes geographic limitations for agents who want to grow.
The Split and Fee Structure: Where the Real Numbers Live
The single biggest factor most Cicero agents weigh first is money — specifically how much of each commission check they actually keep. The structures at eXp and RE/MAX differ enough that the gap compounds significantly over a full production year.
- Category: Commission split (before cap); eXp Realty: 80/20 agent-to-brokerage; RE/MAX: Varies by office; often 95/5 or 100% with desk fees
- Category: Annual cap; eXp Realty: Capped — agent keeps 100% after cap; RE/MAX: Desk fees often replace the cap concept
- Category: Desk / office fees; eXp Realty: None; RE/MAX: Monthly desk fees are common, ranging by franchise
- Category: Stock awards; eXp Realty: Yes — production and attraction milestones; RE/MAX: Not available
- Category: Revenue share; eXp Realty: Yes — multi-tier; RE/MAX: Not available
- Category: Transaction fees after cap; eXp Realty: Modest per-transaction fee; RE/MAX: Varies by franchise agreement
The RE/MAX model can look attractive at first glance because some RE/MAX offices advertise high splits or even 100% commission. But those arrangements are typically offset by monthly desk fees that agents pay regardless of whether they close a deal that month. For a Cicero agent in a slower production month, a mandatory desk fee is a fixed cost that doesn't flex with your business.
At eXp, there are no desk fees. You pay a split until you hit your annual cap, then a modest per-transaction fee for the remainder of the year. Once you cap, the math shifts substantially in your favor — and top producers cap faster, meaning they spend the majority of the year keeping nearly everything they earn.
Technology, Tools, and the Cloud Office Model
RE/MAX offices are brick-and-mortar franchise locations. The quality of tools, training, and culture varies significantly from one franchise owner to the next. An agent in Cicero joining a RE/MAX office is largely buying into that specific franchise owner's vision and resources — not a standardized national system.
eXp operates differently. The brokerage runs on a cloud-based platform called eXp World, where agents attend training, collaborate with peers, meet with staff, and access support — all without commuting to a physical office. For agents who already work remotely or run a mobile business, this is a natural fit. For agents used to walking into a physical office, there is an adjustment period, but the tradeoff is access to resources that no single RE/MAX franchise can match in scale.
eXp's training catalog is deep, covering everything from lead generation and contract negotiation to building a team and sponsoring agents. It runs continuously, not just during onboarding. That ongoing access to education is something most RE/MAX franchises offer only in limited form.
Revenue Share and Equity: The Financial Instruments RE/MAX Doesn't Offer
This is where the two models diverge most sharply for agents thinking about long-term wealth — not just commission income.
eXp's revenue share program allows agents to earn a percentage of the gross commission income generated by agents they attract to the brokerage. This is not a referral fee — it is a recurring income stream that continues as long as the agents you sponsor are producing. Built correctly over time, revenue share creates income that is not tied to whether you personally close a deal in a given month.
RE/MAX does not offer a comparable program. Agents at RE/MAX earn their commission income and potentially benefit from franchise ownership if they take that path, but the standard agent at a RE/MAX office has no mechanism to earn income from the production of agents they bring into the system.
eXp also grants agents stock in the company at specific production and attraction milestones. ICON agents — eXp's highest production tier — can earn back a significant portion of their annual cap in eXp stock. This is genuine equity ownership in a publicly traded company, not a loyalty program.
For agents in Cicero who are thinking beyond their next transaction and asking what their business looks like in five or ten years, these two features change the conversation entirely.
What Joining eXp Under Riley Hextell Actually Looks Like
The brokerage you join matters. The sponsor you join under matters just as much — arguably more, because your sponsor shapes your experience in the early months and the ongoing infrastructure available to you.
Riley Hextell is ranked number one at eXp Realty Illinois for total transactions in 2025 and sits in the top 50 of more than 80,000 agents companywide. He earned the 2024 Chicago Association of Realtors Rookie of the Year award and has built his business on systems, accountability, and volume — not luck or market conditions alone. As a U.S. Navy veteran, he runs his operation with a structured, process-driven approach that translates directly into how he supports the agents he sponsors.
Agents who join eXp under Riley's sponsorship get access to:
- Weekly group training calls covering lead generation, conversion, contracts, and business planning
- One-on-one mentorship sessions focused on the agent's specific market and goals
- Proven lead-generation systems that Riley's own team uses daily — not theoretical frameworks
- Accountability structures that help agents move from inconsistent months to consistent production
- Guidance on building revenue share income from day one, so agents aren't starting that process from scratch years later
Riley sponsors agents nationwide, working remotely with agents across Illinois and beyond. You don't need to be in the same zip code to get real support — that's the point of the eXp model. If you want to see what his approach to the business looks like in practice, his Rookie of the Year journey is worth reading before you make a decision.
For Cicero agents also comparing eXp against other franchise models, the eXp vs Keller Williams breakdown covers many of the structural differences in detail and applies directly to the Illinois market.
How to Decide Which Brokerage Fits Your Business
Not every agent will land in the same place after running the comparison. The right question isn't "which brokerage is better" — it's "which model fits where I am now and where I want to be in three years."
Here is a framework for thinking through it:
- Add up your actual brokerage costs at RE/MAX for the past twelve months — split plus desk fees plus any transaction fees. Compare that to what your cost structure would look like at eXp at your production level.
- Decide whether you want income streams beyond commission — if revenue share and equity matter to you, RE/MAX can't offer them.
- Assess what support you actually need — if you want in-person office culture above everything else, RE/MAX may fit better. If you want scalable training, remote access, and a sponsor with a real production track record, eXp is worth a serious look.
- Research your potential sponsor — this step is non-negotiable. Two agents at eXp can have completely different experiences depending on who sponsored them. Ask any sponsor you consider about their actual production numbers, how they run training, and what they provide beyond onboarding.
- Have a direct conversation with Riley — he will give you a straight answer about whether eXp makes sense for your business, and he is reachable at 815-545-7476, [email protected], or rileyhextell.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my Cicero-area clients and territory if I move to eXp?
Yes. eXp does not operate territories. You bring your book of business with you, and there is no restriction on where you work or what clients you serve. The cloud-based model means your "office" is wherever you are.
How does eXp's commission cap work compared to RE/MAX desk fees?
At eXp, you split commissions with the brokerage until you reach your annual cap, after which you keep nearly all of each commission for the rest of the year. At many RE/MAX offices, agents pay a monthly desk fee regardless of production — which means a slow month still costs you money out of pocket. The eXp model ties your costs to your production rather than to the calendar.
What does Riley Hextell actually provide as a sponsor — is it just an onboarding call?
No. Riley provides weekly group training, one-on-one mentorship, lead-generation systems, and accountability structures on an ongoing basis. The goal is to help agents build consistent production and begin developing revenue share income from the beginning — not just get through the first few weeks.
Is eXp a good fit for newer agents or only experienced producers?
eXp works for both, but the experience differs. Newer agents benefit most when they join under a sponsor who provides real structure and mentorship — which is exactly the gap Riley's sponsorship is designed to fill. Experienced agents often join for the financial model and the revenue share opportunity. The qualities that define a strong real estate agent apply at any brokerage, but the platform you build on determines how far those qualities take you.