Trying to decide between joining Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate or REAL Broker?
In this article, I’ll compare technology, commission splits, training, and long-term opportunities to help you in your decision.
The real estate industry is changing fast. Some brokerages are built on decades of brand recognition. Others are rebuilding the model from scratch around technology and agent ownership.
BHGRE is a lifestyle-driven brand backed by decades of consumer recognition, operating through a nationwide network of franchise brokerages.
REAL Broker is an AI-driven, technology-powered brokerage built around scalability, ownership, and agent collaboration.
Both offer agents tools, support, and opportunity. But their business models, fees, and long-term upside look very different. Here’s how they compare in 2026.
Company Backgrounds
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
BHGRE launched in 2008 through a partnership between Realogy Holdings Corp. (now Anywhere Real Estate) and Meredith Corporation, the publisher of Better Homes & Gardens magazine. The goal was to bring the trusted lifestyle brand into real estate and create a brokerage network centered on helping clients find not just a home, but a lifestyle.
Unlike cloud-based brokerages that operate as a single company, BHGRE runs through a franchise model, with independently owned and operated brokerage offices across the United States and internationally. This structure allows local broker-owners to shape their own office culture, support systems, and technology while operating under the national brand.
The network has grown to include hundreds of brokerage offices and thousands of affiliated agents, supported by Anywhere Real Estate, one of the largest residential real estate companies in the world.
Much of BHGRE’s appeal comes from its connection to the Better Homes & Gardens lifestyle brand, which has influenced generations of consumers through home, design, and lifestyle content.
REAL Broker
REAL Broker (NASDAQ: REAX) was founded in 2014 by Tamir Poleg with a clear vision: to create a modern, cloud-based brokerage where agents could build scalable businesses through technology, equity ownership, and collaboration.
From the beginning, REAL was designed differently from traditional franchise brokerages. Instead of operating through independently owned offices, the company runs as a single brokerage entity with operations in all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and multiple Canadian provinces, offering agents a unified platform, consistent compensation structure, and centralized technology ecosystem.
The company has surpassed 36,000 agents and is ranked among the fastest-growing brokerages in North America, with a strong showing in RealTrends rankings. As of 2026, REAL acquired RE/MAX and formed the Real REMAX Group.
Much of this growth has been driven by REAL’s low-overhead model, nationwide consistency, and focus on artificial intelligence and automation to streamline the real estate process.
REAL’s all-in-one cloud platform provides agents with a fully digital business environment, from listings to closings, while also integrating mortgage and title services through its expanding Real Mortgage and Real Title divisions.
Despite its rapid growth and technology-driven model, REAL emphasizes a people-first culture centered around its guiding principle: Work Hard. Be Kind.
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate vs REAL Broker Splits, Caps & Fees
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Caps, Splits & Fees
Because BHGRE operates through a franchise model, most agent fees and splits vary by office. However, the BHGRE royalty fee is consistent, which is generally 5% of an agent’s commission on top of any fees that their office charges.
Key details at a glance:
- Split: Varies By Office
- Cap: No National Cap Set
- Royalty / Franchise Fee: Generally 5%
- Transaction Fees: Set By The Local Office
- Monthly Fees: Set By The Local Office
Because BHGRE operates as a franchise network, the exact numbers can vary depending on the market, brokerage policies, and local operating costs. Ask your local BHGRE office for its current fee schedule before you sign anything.
REAL Broker Caps, Splits & Fees
Because REAL Broker is a nationwide cloud brokerage, they offer all agents the same split, caps, and fees — regardless of what city or state they’re in.
REAL Brokerage keeps its commission model easy to understand and agent-focused, emphasizing transparency so producers can keep more from every deal. The core structure is an 85/15 split, where agents retain 85% of their gross commission income (GCI), and the brokerage receives 15% until the annual cap is reached.
Once they hit their cap, agents keep 100% of their commissions moving forward, paying only a flat transaction fee per side. This structure scales well for solo agents, teams, and high-volume producers.
Key details at a glance:
- Split: 85/15
- Cap: $12,000 If Solo / TL · $6,000 Team · $4,000 Cap Mega Team
- Signup: $249
- Annual: $900 ($300 Taken Out Of The First Three Transactions Of The Year)
- Compliance Fee: $50 Per Transaction (CBR)
- Post-Cap Transaction Fee: $285. Reduced To $100 Per Transaction After Hitting Elite Agent Award
See how much it costs to run your business at REAL with the REAL Fee Calculator.
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate vs REAL Broker Revenue Share
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Revenue Share
BHGRE does not offer their agents revenue share or any other incentives for attracting other agents to the company, like many modern cloud brokerages do.
REAL Broker Revenue Share
REAL has one of the more transparent and generous revenue share systems in the cloud brokerage space. Instead of only paying agents for the deals they personally close, REAL shares a portion of its brokerage revenue back with agents through a structured, five-tier program.
At REAL, agents can earn up to $4,000 in passive income per year for every capping agent they personally sponsor, creating the opportunity to build long-term income alongside their transaction business.
How Much You Can Earn per Tier
The percentages below represent the portion of commission paid from the brokerage’s 15% share when agents in your network close transactions.
| Tier | % Of Commission | Max Revenue Share Per Year |
| Tier 1 | 5% | $4,000 |
| Tier 2 | 4% | $3,200 |
| Tier 3 | 3% | $2,400 |
| Tier 4 | 2% | $1,600 |
| Tier 5 | 1% | $800 |
Unlocking Higher Tiers
Agents’ Tier One benefits are automatically unlocked. In order to unlock their Tier Two through Five benefits, they have to hit certain milestones in their real estate business.
Additional tiers can be unlocked through three paths:
- Producing Tier 1 Agents Path: Recruit a certain number of producing Tier 1 agents.
- Attractor Path: Unlock tiers based on the overall size of your network across all tiers.
- Producer Path: Unlock tiers by reaching personal production milestones such as capping or achieving Elite Agent status.
Willable Revenue Share
One unique feature of REAL’s program is that revenue share is fully willable, meaning agents can pass their revenue share income to a designated beneficiary. This allows agents to build long-term passive income that can continue benefiting their families or heirs.
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate vs REAL Broker Stock Awards
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Stock Awards
BHGRE does not offer company stock or equity ownership to agents at the national level.
As a franchise, individual offices may provide local bonuses or incentive programs. However, these programs are typically tied to production or office-level performance, not corporate equity ownership or stock grants tied to the parent company.
REAL Broker Stock Awards
REAL Broker is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker REAX. Agents can earn free stock tied to production and recruiting — BHGRE does not offer national company equity.
As of September 2026, REAL’s stock is trading between $20 and $25 a share. See current stock price here.
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate vs REAL Broker Technology
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Technology
BHGRE’s main agent hub is Greenhouse — the brand’s centralized portal for leads, marketing tools, CRM, listings, training, and day-to-day business resources. Alongside Greenhouse, BHGRE agents typically get access to the MoxiWorks suite. Exact tools can vary by franchise office.
For a public overview of the stack, see BHGRE’s Tools, Technology & Support page.
Key elements of the BHGRE tech stack include:
- Greenhouse Platform: At the center of the BHGRE technology ecosystem is Greenhouse, the brand’s centralized portal for affiliated agents and brokers.
- MoxiWorks Technology Platform: BHGRE provides agents with access to the MoxiWorks real estate technology platform, a widely used suite of tools designed specifically for real estate professionals.
- Marketing and Brand Support: BHGRE places a strong emphasis on marketing tools that help agents connect with consumers. Agents can leverage the well-known BHGRE lifestyle brand, which has long been associated with home, design, and lifestyle content, and can easily make marketing materials within Canva.
- PinPoint Platform: PinPoint is BHGRE’s consumer-facing marketing and listing promotion platform that helps agents showcase properties through targeted digital advertising, lifestyle content, and automated marketing campaigns designed to attract potential buyers and sellers.
Through the brand’s marketing platforms and resources, agents can access tools designed to support outreach, brand promotion, and lead generation.
REAL Broker Technology
REAL Broker positions itself as a technology-first brokerage, integrating artificial intelligence and proprietary tools to simplify every aspect of the real estate process. With over 130 full-time developers dedicated to product innovation, REAL’s ecosystem enables agents to operate efficiently from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.
REAL’s suite of in-house and partnered technology includes:
reZEN – A back-office and transaction management platform and app that integrates compliance, commission processing, and agent support in one place.
Leo CoPilot – An AI-powered assistant that provides support to agents, analyzing data about their businesses, and eventually aims to handle contracts and client communication.
Real Wallet – A financial hub offering business checking, tax-planning tools, and a rewards program that agents can use to offset fees and caps.
REAL Signature – An in-house digital signature platform integrated into reZEN.
Lofty CRM
Offered through partnership, providing websites, CRM capabilities, and AI-enhanced marketing automation tools.
Design Center
REAL’s design center is similar to Canva except designed for real estate agents. It is integrated into the MLS so agents can pull over images and listing details in seconds and includes over 500 templates for everything from social media post to property brochures to postcards. Learn more.
Integrated Services
Through Real Title and Real Mortgage, agents can manage multiple components of the transaction within a connected digital ecosystem.
By developing most of its tech stack in-house, REAL ensures seamless integration, fewer third-party logins, and faster updates. The company’s emphasis on automation and data-driven tools empowers agents to save time, operate leaner businesses, and deliver a better client experience. (Source)
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate vs REAL Broker Training
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Training
BHGRE’s national learning hub is Be Better University — live classes, virtual sessions, and on-demand courses for sales skills, marketing, and BHGRE tools. Local franchise offices often add their own coaching on top of that.
Key elements of BHGRE’s training ecosystem include:
- Brand Coaching & Broker Development: Brokerage leaders within the BHGRE network have access to coaching and mentoring programs that help them strengthen recruiting, business planning, and team leadership skills.
- Agent Learning Programs: BHGRE offers structured learning opportunities for affiliated agents through their Be Better University, covering topics such as sales performance, lead generation, social media marketing, and technology tools designed to help agents win more listings.
- Live Events and Webinars: Agents can participate in live training events, in-person events like The Better Retreat, virtual workshops, and on-demand webinars that focus on both business development and marketing strategies.
- On-Demand Learning Resources: The BHGRE network provides a library of educational materials, recordings, and coursework that agents can access anytime to improve their skills and stay up to date with industry trends.
Many of these programs are developed based on feedback from the BHGRE network and are regularly updated to remain relevant for agents across different markets.
Because BHGRE operates through independently owned brokerages, the depth and frequency of training can vary by local office and the broker-owner support structure.
REAL Broker Training
REAL emphasizes a collaborative, agent-led learning culture that combines virtual accessibility with in-person community events. The brokerage’s training model is built around transparency, skill development, and peer-to-peer mentorship. (Source)
REAL’s training ecosystem includes:
REAL Academy – A comprehensive digital library of live and recorded classes covering business development, marketing, compliance, and leadership. Agents can access these sessions from anywhere through the REAL platform or mobile app.
Weekly Masterminds – Regular virtual mastermind sessions hosted by top-producing REAL agents across North America. Topics include social media growth, lead generation, investing, and scaling teams.
- Mentorship Program – Agents can opt into mentorship under top-performing agents around the country to gain real-world experience. This is completely optional, you get to choose your mentor and is paid for out of a % of the mentees next three transactions. Source.
Official REAL Events – REAL hosts major events throughout North America, including its annual RISE Conference, REAL Academy On The Road workshops, and special events like ringing the bell on the NASDAQ and more. See upcoming events.
- REAL Supported Events – REAL also supports agent organized events by providing them an infrastructure, templates and key note speakers such as the CEO of REAL such as their Further Together events.
- Workvivo – This is a social media platform but only for REAL agents. Here you can join groups, ask questions, and tap into the REAL agent community.
This structure allows agents to plug into a national network of collaboration while maintaining the flexibility of a cloud-based brokerage.
FAQ: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate vs REAL Broker
Is Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate a franchise?
Yes. If you’re thinking about joining Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, know that every BHGRE office is an independently owned and operated franchise. That’s why splits, fees, and even day-to-day technology can look different from one BHGRE office to the next.
What technology does BHGRE give agents?
Most BHGRE agents work out of Greenhouse (the brand portal) plus tools like the MoxiWorks suite for CRM, marketing, and websites. The exact stack can vary by office — see BHGRE’s Tools, Technology & Support overview.
Who owns Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate?
BHGRE is a brand owned by Anywhere Real Estate (formerly Realogy), one of the largest residential real estate companies in the U.S. The name comes from a licensing partnership with Meredith Corporation, publisher of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.
What is BHGRE’s commission split?
There isn’t one national number. Each BHGRE office sets its own commission split with agents, so you’ll need to ask your local office directly.
Does BHGRE charge a royalty fee, and is it capped?
Yes. BHGRE charges a 5% royalty. Ask your local office how that shows up in your split and fees.
Does BHGRE offer stock or a revenue share program?
No. Agents joining Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate don’t get a national stock or revenue share program. Some local offices may run their own bonus programs, but there’s no company-wide equivalent to REAL’s public stock (NASDAQ: REAX) or five-tier revenue share.
Final Thoughts: Modern Cloud Brokerage vs Lifestyle Brand
Both REAL Broker and BHGRE represent respected brokerage models in the North American real estate industry, but they are built around very different philosophies for how agents grow their businesses.
BHGRE appeals to agents who value brand recognition, lifestyle-driven marketing, and traditional brokerage support through a local office environment. Its affiliation with the Better Homes and Gardens media brand provides strong consumer familiarity, while franchise brokerages often offer localized mentorship, coaching, and in-person collaboration.
REAL tends to attract agents who want a modern, technology-driven brokerage with national consistency and low overhead. Its cloud-based structure, unified tech platform, transparent commission cap, revenue share system, and stock ownership opportunities appeal to agents who view their real estate career as a scalable business with long-term wealth potential.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to what type of business environment fits your goals. Agents who prefer a recognized consumer brand and a locally operated franchise structure may find BHGRE to be a better fit, while those seeking a technology-forward, equity-building brokerage with national consistency may gravitate toward REAL.
Ready to compare numbers side by side? Run your deals through the REAL Fee Calculator, or book a free consult and we’ll walk through joining Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate vs REAL Broker with your real production numbers.
