"The big firms will keep merging. We'll keep winning clients, one relationship at a time — and our agents keep more of what they earn doing it."
— The Agency Marblehead Mission
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Commission Structure — Side by Side
The Agency Marblehead
Commission Splits
Flexible — Negotiated
Desk Fees
$0 / month
Platform Licensing Fees
$0 — tools included
Franchise Fee
5.75% of gross commission
Mandatory Tech Stack
None — you choose
Commission Negotiation
You set your rates
Corporate Standardization
No — boutique model
Compass / Coldwell Banker / Sotheby's
Commission Splits
Corporate formula; standardizing post-2026
Desk Fees
Embedded in corporate overhead
Platform Licensing Fees
Mandatory — baked into splits
Franchise Fee
Corporate overhead; opaque structure
Mandatory Tech Stack
Compass platform — no opt-out
Commission Negotiation
Corporate guidelines apply
Corporate Standardization
Rolling out H2 2026 across all brands
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The Math — What a $750K Sale Actually Puts in Your Pocket
Hypothetical Transaction Comparison
Scenario: $750,000 sale price · 2.5% buyer-side commission · 70/30 split
At Compass / Corporate Brokerage
Gross Commission (2.5%)
$18,750
Corporate Split (30%)
− $5,625
Platform / Desk Fee (est.)
− $1,000
Tech Licensing Fee
− $500
Your Take-Home
$11,625
At The Agency Marblehead
Gross Commission (2.5%)
$18,750
Franchise Fee (5.75%)
− $1,078
Net After Franchise
$17,672
Brokerage Split (negotiated 70/30)
− $5,302
Your Take-Home
$12,370
You Keep More Per Transaction
+$745 on this deal alone
No desk fees · No platform licensing · Transparent structure · Split negotiated with you, not set by corporate
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What You Get That the Corporate Brokerages Won't Tell You
Flexible, Negotiated Splits
Your split is a conversation, not a formula. High producers get better terms. There's no one-size-fits-all corporate schedule to fight against.
Zero Desk Fees
RE/MAX charges $500–$2,000+/month in desk fees. Here, you don't pay to work. Slow month? You don't pay for the privilege of having a desk.
Transparent Fee Structure
One franchise fee (5.75% of gross). Everything else is in your control. No hidden tech charges, no mandatory subscription renewals, no surprises at settlement.
Global Reach, Local Control
The Agency's 130+ offices and 83-country network means your listings reach international luxury buyers — without the mandates of a 340,000-agent mega-brokerage.
Commission Integrity Post-NAR
Post-NAR settlement, commissions are negotiable. Luxury boutique positioning actually helps you justify and protect your rates — large corporate brands undercut this.
Lower Overhead = Better Math
Corporate overhead is real. Mandatory platforms, regional fees, technology licensing — it all compounds. Boutique model means lower fixed costs at every transaction.
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Full Brokerage Comparison — What You Actually Pay
Fee Structures Across North Shore Brokerage Options
| Fee Type | Compass / CB / Sotheby's | The Agency Marblehead |
|---|---|---|
| Desk / Office Fee | Embedded in corporate overhead (varies by market) | $0/month — no charge to work |
| Tech Platform Fee | Mandatory; often 1–3% embedded in splits or flat monthly | $0 — AI tools and CMA included at no charge |
| Franchise / Brand Fee | Opaque; corporate overhead included in split formula | 5.75% of gross commission — transparent, disclosed |
| Commission Split | Corporate schedule; standardizing post-2026 merger | Negotiated directly; high producers get better terms |
| E&O Insurance | Varies; sometimes mandatory add-on | Per-transaction — only pay when active |
| Lead Fees | Referral fees on leads from corporate platform | None — your clients are your clients |
| Exit Penalties | Non-solicit clauses; listing restrictions on departure | Clean departure — your book stays yours |
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Who You're Joining
MC
Michael Cannuscio
Principal Broker · The Agency Marblehead
Michael has spent 25 years building relationships on the North Shore — not a database, actual relationships. Every agent who joins The Agency Marblehead gets direct access to that network, that market knowledge, and a broker who picks up the phone. This isn't a corporate onboarding portal. It's a conversation.
25
Years North Shore
130+
Agency Global Offices
$61M+
Recent Transaction Volume
1
Decision-Maker (You Talk to Michael)