Real Estate Careers · Real Broker Canada
Thinking about a career in real estate?
Whether you're starting from zero or you're already a licensed REALTOR® looking for a different brokerage, I can help you understand the path, the business and what Real Broker offers Canadian agents.
Alberta-focused information · Real Broker Canada · Josh O'Brien
Learn where to begin and which education steps matter.
Explore the work of building a real estate career.
Understand splits, caps, fees and illustrative earnings.
Discuss your goals and questions directly with Josh.
01 / Choose your path
New career or next chapter?
Start a career in real estate.
You don't need to already be an agent to start the conversation. If you're considering real estate as a career, I can walk you through how licensing works in Alberta, what the business actually involves and what to think about before choosing a brokerage.
Bring your licence to Real.
If you're already licensed, we can compare your existing brokerage with Real's Canadian model — including the split, cap, fees, ownership programs, revenue share and the support you want from your next brokerage.
02 / Getting licensed
Your path into Alberta real estate.
Real estate can be entered from many backgrounds. What matters is understanding that becoming licensed is only the first step. You're ultimately building a business based on relationships, prospecting, marketing, negotiation and service.
Meet RECA eligibility
Start with Alberta's eligibility requirements before enrolling in pre-licensing education.
Complete your education
Complete Fundamentals of Real Estate plus the applicable practice course and required exams.
Choose a brokerage
Once your education requirements are complete, you'll need an Alberta brokerage through which to become licensed.
Build the business
Learn prospecting, buyers, listings, contracts, marketing, follow-up and how to build a sustainable client base.
Still in university, working another job or considering a career change?
You can learn about the industry before making a decision. I'll explain what the day-to-day business looks like, the startup considerations and what I would want to know before entering real estate.
03 / Earning opportunities
Real describes eight ways Canadian agents can earn.
Your core business is still helping clients buy and sell real estate. Real's model also includes several optional or qualification-based programs connected to equity, production and company growth.
Transaction commissions
Earn commission through your own real estate transactions.
Stock purchase plan
Eligible agents can elect to direct part of commission income toward Real shares under the program.
Stock purchase bonuses
Real offers qualifying bonus incentives connected with participation in the stock purchase program.
Capping stock award
Agents who reach qualifying annual cap milestones may become eligible for stock awards.
Elite production award
High-producing agents who meet Real's published requirements may qualify for an additional production award.
Elite cultural award
Qualifying Elite agents may be eligible for an additional award through approved contributions to Real's agent community.
Revenue share
Producing agents may qualify to receive revenue share connected with eligible agents they sponsor into Real.
Attraction shares
Qualifying agents may receive stock awards when sponsored agents satisfy Real's published transaction requirements.
These are separate programs with eligibility, vesting, production and other requirements. They are not guaranteed income. Review Real's official Canadian program information.
04 / Compare brokerages
Compare Real with the brokerage you're at now.
Brokerage decisions shouldn't be made from one number. Look at your production, expenses, technology, support, business goals and the type of company you want to build with.
Bring me your approximate GCI and transaction volume and we can walk through how Real's Canadian model would apply to your business.
Talk to Josh05 / The brokerage model
See how the split and cap work.
A visual look at Real's published Canadian plans, followed by simple production examples. All dollar amounts below are CAD. Figures checked October 9, 2026.
01 / Commission split
Before you reach your cap.
For every $10,000 of commission subject to the standard split, $8,500 stays with the agent and $1,500 goes toward the company cap, before other fees.
Calculated commission level to reach a $15,000 cap at a 15% company split: $15,000 ÷ 0.15.
GCI means gross commission income, not property sale value. This assumes all modeled GCI is subject to the company split in one anniversary year. Transaction fees do not count toward the company cap.
02 / Published cap options
Different plans. Different caps.
Annual company caps, shown on the same $0–$15,000 scale.
Reduced caps require a qualifying team arrangement; they are not interchangeable individual plans. Team compensation arrangements can create additional splits. The cap resets on the agent's anniversary.
03 / Illustrative production scenarios
What stays after the company split?
Standard $15,000 cap. Bars share a $0–$250,000 scale and show retained commission plus the company split. These are hypothetical production levels, not typical earnings or a forecast.
| GCI | Company split | Retained before fees | Retained share |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $7,500 | $42,500 | 85% |
| $100,000 | $15,000 | $85,000 | 85% |
| $150,000 | $15,000 | $135,000 | 90% |
| $250,000 | $15,000 | $235,000 | 94% |
Calculation: retained commission = GCI − min(15% × GCI, $15,000). Excludes sign-up, annual, compliance and post-cap transaction fees, tax, team or referral splits, optional stock purchases and business expenses. This is not net income. Actual results depend on transaction count and your agreement.
Budget beyond the cap
The other fees to include.
| Fee | Published Canadian amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-up | $249 | Joining the brokerage |
| Annual brokerage / risk management | $1,200 | Collected across the first three transactions each anniversary year |
| Compliance / broker review | $40 | Each transaction |
| Post-cap sale transaction | $375, or 15% if less | After capping; qualifying Elite status can reduce the fee |
| Post-cap lease transaction | $125, or 15% if less | Where lease transactions are supported |
| Monthly brokerage fee | $0 | Other charges above still apply |
Standard-plan overview. Confirm taxes, transaction treatment, team terms and the current agreement with Real before joining.
Sources: Real's brokerage overview · Real Canada compensation plans · Real Canada fee schedule. Source figures can change; calculations above are illustrative.
Compare My Numbers with Josh06 / Beyond the commission split
What else matters in a brokerage?
Production
Build your own buyer and seller business and earn commission from the clients you serve.
Ownership
Real provides qualifying equity programs designed to give agents opportunities to participate in company ownership.
Growth
Producing agents who help Real grow may qualify for revenue share and attraction-based programs under Real's rules.
Technology
Consider the brokerage systems, transaction tools and technology you will use to operate your business.
Community
Real operates as a large agent network, giving agents opportunities to connect, collaborate and learn from other professionals.
Independence
Your brand, your relationships and your personal production remain central to the business you're building.
07 / Work with Josh
Let’s talk about the day-to-day.
I'm a working Real Broker agent serving Calgary and surrounding communities. My background includes construction and law enforcement, and I now work directly with buyers, sellers and investors.
Whether you're exploring the profession for the first time or considering bringing an existing business to Real, I'm happy to share what I've learned.
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New to real estate
Ask questions about getting licensed, choosing a brokerage, prospecting, open houses, finding clients and what starting from zero actually involves.
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Newly licensed
Talk through the transition from passing the exams to building your first pipeline, getting practical experience and establishing your business.
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Experienced agent
Compare costs, systems and opportunities using your actual production rather than relying on brokerage marketing alone.
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Considering Real
I'll explain what I know about the company, the application process and the sponsorship process before you make your decision.
08 / Frequently asked questions
A few questions you might have.
Do I need to already have my real estate licence to talk to you?
No. If you're still researching the career, I can help explain the industry and point you toward Alberta's official licensing information. RECA controls licensing requirements and approved education.
Can I join Real before I'm licensed?
Becoming licensed comes first. In Alberta, new applicants must satisfy RECA's eligibility and education requirements and ultimately become registered through a licensed Alberta brokerage. Once you're at the appropriate stage, you can explore Real's onboarding process.
Is real estate suitable as a part-time business?
Agents can structure their businesses differently, but the profession still requires client service, responsiveness, education, prospecting and regulatory compliance. Before entering the industry, consider how much time and consistency you can realistically commit.
Does Real guarantee eight income streams?
No. Real describes eight ways Canadian agents may earn through its commission, equity, production, revenue-share and attraction programs. Eligibility varies and none should be treated as guaranteed income.
What does it cost to join Real Canada?
Real currently publishes an 85/15 standard individual-agent split, a $15,000 annual company cap, no monthly brokerage fee, a $249 sign-up fee, a $1,200 annual brokerage and risk-management fee and applicable transaction/compliance fees. Always review the current Real agreement before joining.
What happens if I already work at another brokerage?
We can first compare your current arrangement with Real. If you decide to move forward, Real's onboarding team and Alberta brokerage process handle the formal application and licence-transfer steps.
Start the conversation
New to real estate or already licensed?
Tell me where you're starting from. We can talk about becoming licensed, building a real estate business or whether Real Broker makes sense for your existing career.