The real estate industry is experiencing a talent shift like never before. According to a first-of-its-kind study released today by Recruiting Insight, in collaboration with BoldTrail, 13% of active business operators changed brokerages in 2024, a clear signal that recruiting and retention strategies are more crucial than ever as the industry evolves.
SEATTLE, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The real estate industry is experiencing a talent shift like never before. According to a first-of-its-kind study released today by Recruiting Insight, in collaboration with BoldTrail, 13% of active business operators changed brokerages in 2024, a clear signal that recruiting and retention strategies are more crucial than ever as the industry evolves.
The Agent Migration and Brokerage Model Performance Report provides a comprehensive analysis of agent movement across four major multiple listing services - representing 31% of all U.S.-based agents. The study dives deep into what’s driving agent mobility, which brokerage models are thriving, and what firms need to do to stay competitive in an evolving landscape.
"This report is a game-changer for any broker-owner or team leader serious about growth. Lead or bleed—that's the choice," said Mark Johnson, MBA, Managing Partner at Recruiting Insight and author of the report. "This report puts the facts on the table: agents are on the move, and you must have a clear plan to attract and retain top talent. In today's market, a strong attraction and talent acquisition program is no longer an option, its survival," added Johnson.
Key Takeaways from the Report:
- Leadership Matters: A key finding revealed that among both the top 10 firms achieving the largest gains and the top 10 firms experiencing the most significant losses, every model type was represented.
- Agent Churn is Real—And Costly: The study found that 129,056 transactions in 2024 were completed by 26,363 agents who switched brokerages. The average moving agent produced 4.83 transactions, while top producers completed over 100 deals, the financial impact of churn is significant.
- Tech-Enabled Brokerages Win: Tech-driven firms attracted the highest-producing agents, nearly doubling median volume compared to other models.
- Traditional Brokerages Hold Their Ground: Despite disruption, traditional brokerage models are competitive with strong brands, high agent loyalty.
- Capped Revenue Share Models Are a Magnet—But Face Churn: These firms saw the highest inflow of agents but also experienced notable outflow, suggesting onboarding, culture, and support gaps need to be addressed.
- Seasonality & Regional Patterns Matter: The first quarter of the year is prime time for recruiting—but regional differences are significant, with California-based agents switching in Q4 at nearly double the rate of other regions.
What's Driving Agent Movement? Meet the 8 D's.
- Direction: Strong leadership and vision matter more than ever.
- De-Risking: Agents seek stability, support, and compliance safeguards when switching firms.
- Development: Training and mentorship are a priority for career growth.
- Differentiation: Unique brokerage value propositions are key to attracting agents.
- Dynamics: Culture matters. Nobody wants to work in a toxic environment.
- Digital & Data Dominance: Cutting-edge tech and lead generation tools attract serious producers.
- Dollars: Competitive commission structures and compensation transparency remain top concerns.
- Dissatisfaction: The #1 reason agents leave? Lack of support, slow commission payouts, and outdated tech.
"Forget the preconceived notions about agent movement," advises Jay Teresi, VP of Back Office Sales and Strategy at Inside Real Estate. "This report shows success boils down to leadership and a strong conviction in your value proposition. From there, it's about solid planning and execution.," added Teresi.
What This Means for Brokers & Team Leaders
Agent movement is more fluid than ever, and firms must rethink their recruiting, retention, and agent support strategies to stay ahead. The report urges brokerages to:
- Refine their recruitment messaging: Agents don't just want more money; they want leadership, tools, and career development.
- Analyze their market niche: Different models attract different types of agents. Are you targeting the right audience?
- Fix onboarding & retention issues: Winning talent isn't just about attracting agents—it's about keeping them happy and productive.
Get the Full Report: https://agentmigration.recruitinginsight.net/ and stay ahead of trend with Recruiting Insight.
The Real Estate Agent Migration and Brokerage Model Performance Report is available now for brokers, team leaders, and real estate executives looking to turn recruitment into a competitive advantage.
About Recruiting Insight: (https://recruitinginsight.net/) is the premier provider of talent acquisition solutions tailored specifically for the real estate and mortgage industries. We don't just offer tools—we deliver strategic insights, expert guidance, and proven systems that empower your recruitment efforts, ensuring you attract and retain top-tier talent in today's competitive landscape. Serving nearly 100 brokers and teams in 100 markets, the firm was founded in 2005 and operates under the Recruiting Insight brand for its portfolio of talent attraction solutions: ThirdPool, a subscription service for recruiting new agents; CoRecruit, a coaching solution for experienced agents; and TalentScout, an experienced agent appointment setting service. The firm also offers a proprietary assessment tool, the Core Capacity Index, which enables leaders to save time in the hiring process by identifying those candidates most likely to perform in your model and culture.
About Inside Real Estate: Inside Real Estate is a fast-growing, independently-owned real estate software firm that serves as a trusted technology partner to nearly 500,000 top brokerages, agents, and teams. Their branded portfolio, BoldTrail (https://boldtrail.com/), includes BoldTrail front office, BoldTrail BackOffice and BoldTrail Recruit, solutions that create a complete tech ecosystem for clients, and deliver seamless end-to-end operations, to scale success at any level. BoldTrail delivers a unique technology ecosystem through custom branding, robust integrations, and high-quality add-on solutions, and delivers the next generation of the company's legacy brands, including kvCORE, BoomTown, btPRO, Brokermint, and AmpStats solutions. With an accomplished leadership team and its talented staff, Inside Real Estate brings the resources, scale, and vision to deliver ongoing innovation and success to their growing customer base. To learn more visit insiderealestate.com.
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