Blog > Joining a Real Estate Team vs Going Solo in Ontario
Careers · Ontario REALTORS®
Should I join a real estate team or work solo in Ontario?
Join a team if you want coaching, systems, and accountability to grow faster, and you accept sharing part of each deal. Work solo if you already have steady business and want full control of your brand and split.
Every licensed agent reaches this question sooner or later. Some ask it in their first year. Others ask it after five years of doing everything alone and feeling stuck.
There is no single right answer. There is only the right fit for where you are now and where you want to be in three years.
The Honest Trade-Off
| Factor | On a team | Solo |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | You share part of each deal with the team | You keep more of each deal |
| Support | Coaching, systems, templates, backup | You build or buy everything yourself |
| Learning speed | Faster, with live deal coaching | Slower, learned through experience |
| Brand | Often shared with the team | Fully your own |
| Accountability | Built in, with regular check-ins | Up to you |
A lower split is only a bad deal if the support does not help you do more business. The real question is what you keep at the end of the year, and how much you grow.
When a Team Usually Makes Sense
- You are newer and want to learn from real transactions, not just courses
- You have potential but no consistent system for leads, follow-up, or marketing
- You want someone to hold you to the goals you set
- You want to work in a market, such as Markham's move-up and luxury segments, where preparation and presentation matter a lot
When Going Solo Usually Makes Sense
- You already have a steady referral base
- You have your own systems and marketing that work
- You want your own brand and full control of your decisions
- You are comfortable being fully accountable to yourself
Many solo agents still want a mentor. At eXp Realty, one option is naming an experienced sponsor who supports you without requiring you to join a team.
Seven Questions to Ask Any Team Before You Join
- What is the split, and does it change as I grow?
- Where do the team's leads come from, and how are they shared?
- What coaching and training happen each week?
- What systems and tools will I have on day one?
- What are the expectations for my activity and production?
- Whose name and brand go on my marketing?
- If I leave, what happens to my clients and my database?
A good team answers all seven clearly, in writing, before you sign anything.
How the Kaizen Real Estate Team Thinks About It
Kaizen means continuous improvement: get 1% better every day. Michael John Lau, REALTOR®, built the Kaizen Real Estate Team at eXp Realty around that idea. Many agents don't struggle because they lack potential. They struggle because they don't have the right environment, systems, or accountability.
If that sounds like you, learn more on the Join Team Kaizen page. If you would rather stay independent, you can still partner with Michael as your eXp sponsor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do real estate teams in Ontario take a cut of commission?
Usually, yes. Team members typically share part of each transaction with the team in exchange for leads, systems, coaching, and support. Terms vary widely, so always compare them in writing.
Is joining a team good for new agents?
Often. Newer agents usually learn faster with live deal coaching and proven systems, and they avoid costly mistakes in their first transactions.
Can I leave a real estate team later?
Most teams allow it, but the terms matter. Ask in advance what happens to your clients, listings, and database if you leave.