Structural Comparison
Each brokerage's primary plan, head-to-head. LPT shows both the Brokerage Partner (80/20 with cap) and Business Builder (flat fee per deal) plans so you can pick the one that fits your style.
| LPT · Brokerage Partner | LPT · Business Builder | Sotheby's | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan structure | 80/20 · Cap $15,000 · $195/txn | Flat $500 per transaction · Cap $5,000 · $195/txn · $500/txn flat | 70/30 |
| Annual cap | $15,000 | $5,000 | — |
| Per-txn brokerage fee | $195 / txn | $195 / txn | — |
| Monthly fee | $0 / yr | $0 / yr | $2,400 / yr |
| Annual fee | $500 | $500 | $0 |
| Franchise royalty | 0% | 0% | 6% |
| Break-even to cap | $75,000 GCI to cap | 10 transactions to cap | — |
| Revenue share | HybridShare (7 tiers) | HybridShare (on upgrade) | No |
| Stock / equity | — | — | No |
Who's a Better Fit?
Neither model is universally "better." The right call depends on your production, your brand needs, and what you want long-term.
- You want a predictable, flat-fee ceiling instead of split erosion
- You care about revenue share with uncapped earning potential (HybridShare)
- You're comfortable working remote/cloud and don't need a physical office
- You want to keep close to 100% of commissions above the cap
- 90%+ of your pipeline is genuine ultra-luxury ($5M+)
- Your buyers expect a white-glove brand experience
- You benefit from luxury-specific referral networks
Frequently Asked
Is LPT actually cheaper than Sotheby's?
At the per-transaction level, LPT's flat-fee structure (either $500/deal on Business Builder or 80/20 to a $15K cap on Brokerage Partner) typically results in lower total brokerage cost for agents clearing $75K+ in annual GCI. Use /compare to plug in your exact numbers — the delta varies by production level.
Why would anyone stay at Sotheby's if LPT's math is better?
Brand pull, office culture, pre-existing teams, and broker relationships are real switching costs. LPT wins on structural economics for most production profiles, but those soft factors are why the decision isn't automatic. Talk to Joe if you want a neutral read on whether switching is actually worth it for your situation.
Does LPT work in my state?
LPT Realty is a nationwide brokerage licensed in all 50 states. Sponsorship process and commission plans are the same state-to-state.
How fast can I switch from Sotheby's to LPT?
Most switches take 5-10 business days once you've selected a sponsor and submitted the application. We walk you through the paperwork and MLS transfer during the discovery call.
What's HybridShare — is it MLM?
HybridShare is a 7-tier revenue share program funded by 50% of each capped agent's company dollar ($7,500 for BP, $2,500 for BB). It's a residual income stream for agents who sponsor other agents — not a pyramid structure and not tied to recruiting-first behavior. You earn on their production, not on their enrollment.
What if I'm already in contract on a listing — do I have to cancel?
No. Open listings and pending contracts stay with your current brokerage until they close. You switch your license for new business going forward. Joe can walk you through the transition plan on a discovery call.
See Your Own Numbers
Plug in your GCI, transaction count, and the two brokerages you're weighing. Our comparator computes the full-year brokerage cost including splits, caps, fees, franchise royalties, and per-transaction fees — no gate, no sales call required.