The best eXp Realty sponsor for a Naperville agent is one who has already built the production record, the systems, and the team culture to help you grow faster than you would alone. Riley Hextell — ranked #1 at eXp Realty Illinois for total transactions in 2025, top 50 out of more than 80,000 agents companywide, and the 2024 Chicago Association of Realtors Rookie of the Year — sponsors agents nationwide and brings that track record directly to your business.
Key takeaways:
- Choosing the right eXp Realty sponsor matters as much as choosing the brokerage itself — your sponsor shapes your onboarding, training, and income beyond commissions.
- Riley Hextell is ranked #1 at eXp Realty Illinois for total transactions in 2025 and top 50 companywide out of 80,000+ agents.
- Agents who join under Riley gain access to weekly live training, lead-generation systems, accountability structures, and revenue share upside.
- Riley sponsors agents nationwide remotely — Naperville agents get the same hands-on support as agents anywhere in the country.
Why your eXp Realty sponsor is one of the most important decisions you make
When agents evaluate eXp Realty, most of the research goes into the commission splits, the cloud-based model, and the revenue share structure. Those things matter. But the sponsor you choose is the variable that determines how quickly you actually leverage all of it. Your sponsor is responsible for your initial onboarding experience, the quality of training you receive from day one, and — through revenue share — a financial relationship that runs for the life of your career at the company. A sponsor who is too busy, too removed from production, or too passive about agent development will not move the needle for you. A sponsor who is actively producing, teaching, and building systems gives you a head start that compounds over time.
For Naperville agents specifically, the local market is competitive. Buyers and sellers here have high expectations, inventory moves quickly in desirable price ranges, and agents need efficient systems to stay ahead. You need a sponsor whose model translates directly into more listings, more buyer closings, and more referral business — not just someone who handed you a link to join.
What Riley Hextell brings to sponsored agents
Riley operates as a high-volume producer who has built repeatable systems around lead generation, conversion, and client communication. That is not a marketing claim — it is the operational reality behind finishing #1 in Illinois at eXp Realty for total transactions in 2025 while simultaneously finishing in the top 50 out of more than 80,000 agents nationally. The way he built that production is what his sponsored agents benefit from directly.
Here is what agents gain under his sponsorship:
- Weekly live training sessions covering lead generation, scripts, objection handling, listing presentations, buyer consultations, and transaction management — delivered consistently, not as a one-time onboarding event.
- Lead-generation system access, including the specific tools, platforms, and workflows Riley uses in his own production so agents are not starting from zero trying to figure out where clients come from.
- One-on-one mentorship and accountability, meaning real conversations about your pipeline, your goals, and what is actually blocking your growth — not generic coaching calls.
- Revenue share upside built into the eXp model, where agents you sponsor into the company generate income for both of you over the long run, creating a path to income that goes beyond any single transaction.
- A community of other sponsored agents who are actively producing and sharing what is working, so you are not learning in isolation.
Riley sponsors agents remotely and nationwide. Whether you are based in Naperville, downstate Illinois, or another state entirely, the training, mentorship, and systems are delivered the same way. The model is intentionally built to function at scale without proximity being a barrier.
Comparing what you get with and without a strong sponsor
- What you get: Onboarding support; With a passive sponsor: Basic company resources; With Riley Hextell: Guided onboarding plus direct access
- What you get: Training; With a passive sponsor: eXp company-wide content; With Riley Hextell: Weekly live sessions plus personal mentorship
- What you get: Lead-gen systems; With a passive sponsor: Figure it out yourself; With Riley Hextell: Proven systems Riley uses in his own production
- What you get: Accountability; With a passive sponsor: None built in; With Riley Hextell: Regular pipeline check-ins and goal-setting
- What you get: Revenue share coaching; With a passive sponsor: Minimal; With Riley Hextell: Active guidance on building your own team
- What you get: Access to a producing mentor; With a passive sponsor: Unlikely; With Riley Hextell: Direct — Riley is actively closing deals
The eXp model gives every agent the same splits and the same platform. The sponsor is the differentiator. Agents who join under someone who is not producing at a high level or not investing in their agents' development often find that the cloud-based model feels isolating. Agents who join under a high-production sponsor with structured support find the opposite — the flexibility of eXp combined with the accountability of a real team.
What makes Riley's approach different from other eXp sponsors
Most real estate agents who become eXp sponsors do so because the revenue share model creates financial incentive. That is legitimate, but it does not automatically make someone qualified to develop other agents. Riley's approach is grounded in what actually produced his results: systems first, accountability second, and genuine investment in each person's business plan.
His background as a U.S. Navy veteran shaped how he thinks about structure, discipline, and consistency — the same qualities that let him go from new agent to 2024 Chicago Association of Realtors Rookie of the Year and then to the #1 transaction count in Illinois at eXp in 2025 within a short career window. That trajectory is the proof of concept. Agents who want to replicate a version of that growth are not guessing at the playbook — they are working directly with the person who built it.
If you are curious about what it looks like to choose the right partner for your real estate career more broadly, this piece on how to choose the right REALTOR® in Chicago covers the qualities that separate high-producing agents from the field — relevant reading whether you are evaluating a brokerage or a sponsor.
How to evaluate whether eXp Realty is the right move for you
Before deciding on any brokerage change, it is worth being clear on what you are optimizing for. Some agents are primarily motivated by commission splits — eXp's structure is competitive on that front compared to most traditional brokerages. Others are looking for flexibility, national reach, or the ability to build passive income through revenue share. Still others need structured training and mentorship because they are earlier in their career. EXp can serve all of those goals, but the sponsor you choose will determine how well the model actually delivers for your situation.
Ask any potential sponsor these questions before committing:
- What does your current production look like, and can you show me your transaction count?
- What specific training do you offer beyond eXp's company-wide resources?
- How do you handle accountability — do we have scheduled check-ins, and what does that look like?
- Can you walk me through the lead-generation systems you use and how your sponsored agents access them?
- How many agents have you sponsored, and can I speak with any of them about their experience?
A sponsor who can answer all five of those questions with specifics — not generalities — is one worth seriously considering. Riley's answers to every one of them are grounded in documented production and a structured agent development model.
You can reach Riley directly at 815-545-7476, [email protected], or through his website at rileyhextell.com to have a direct conversation about whether eXp Realty and his sponsorship is the right fit for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter who sponsors you at eXp Realty?
Yes — more than most agents realize when they first join. Your sponsor is responsible for your onboarding, can provide mentorship and training beyond what eXp's company-wide resources offer, and is financially connected to your production through the revenue share model. A sponsor who is actively producing and investing in agent development gives you a structural advantage that compounds over time. A passive sponsor leaves you navigating the model largely on your own.
Can I change my eXp Realty sponsor after joining?
EXp does have a process for sponsor changes, but it involves specific requirements and is not automatic. The better approach is to research your sponsor carefully before joining, since changing later requires meeting certain criteria under the company's policy. Speaking with agents who are already under a potential sponsor is one of the most useful steps you can take before making a decision.
How does eXp Realty revenue share work for agents?
EXp's revenue share model pays agents a portion of the company's gross revenue generated by the agents they personally sponsor into the company, and those agents' activity can also generate income through additional tiers. It is not a commission split — it is a share of revenue the company receives. The specifics of how those tiers work and what qualifies are detailed in eXp's published compensation plan, which any sponsor should be able to walk you through clearly.
What should a Naperville agent look for in an eXp sponsor?
Look for a sponsor who is actively producing at a high level, can demonstrate specific training and mentorship systems, is accessible for real accountability conversations, and has a track record of helping the agents they sponsor grow their business. Production credentials matter because they validate that the systems the sponsor teaches actually work. A sponsor who finished in the top 50 out of 80,000+ agents nationally, as Riley Hextell did, brings a level of verified performance that most sponsors cannot match.