Cap, royalty, monthly fee. Repeat.
At KW, a typical commission dollar is split 64/30/6 until you hit your market center’s cap and the $3,000 royalty cap, and both reset every anniversary. At Firelight360, founding agents keep 95 cents of every dollar from the first deal, with no cap to chase and no royalty.
Follow one $10,000 commission
The last $600 is the 6% KWRI royalty.
The $500 sliver is the only thing we take. No royalty on top.
That’s $3,100 more on one deal, before any monthly or tech fee.
Caps vary by market center
Published KW individual caps we found ranged from about $9,000 to $19,000, plus the $3,000 royalty cap. We add $100 a month for fees, in line with published examples. Total paid to the brokerage, at $10,000 per deal:
| Yearly GCI | Firelight360 | KW, $9,000 cap | KW, $19,000 cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,549 | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| $60,000 | $3,049 | $13,200 | $22,200 |
| $120,000 | $6,049 | $13,200 | $23,200 |
| $250,000 | $12,549 | $13,200 + any post-cap fees | $23,200 + any post-cap fees |
Some KW market centers charge post-cap transaction fees; published examples were $125–$150 per deal. Board and MLS dues aren’t included anywhere.
Honest read: at a low-cap market center, a KW agent grossing well above roughly $265,000 can come out ahead of 95/5 on fees. For almost everyone below that, Firelight360 keeps more in your pocket.
Why agents leave KW
Caps reset on your anniversary, so the first months of every year fund the office.
The 6% royalty comes off the top until you’ve paid $3,000 for the year.
Inman data from mid-2024 showed most agents earn little from it. We’d rather pay you more on your own deals.
MAPS coaching is billed separately. Our 1:1 coaching is included.
Fair is fair
On a $10,000 commission before caps, about $3,100 more per deal. Over a year it depends on your market center’s cap; at $60,000 GCI, our model shows roughly $10,000 to $19,000 less paid to the brokerage.
No. Firelight360 isn’t a franchise, so there’s no royalty on top of the 5%.
There’s nothing to cap. You keep 95% from deal one, all year, every year.
We offer 1:1 coaching and mentorship from people who’ve done the work, included at no extra cost.
Orlando, Tampa, St. Pete, Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach County and the Space Coast.
More comparisons: Coldwell Banker · RE/MAX · eXp