Last Updated on January 11, 2026 by Elizabeth Nolan
Last week, Compass closed its acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate—bringing 340,000 agents from Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Sotheby’s International Realty, Better Homes and Gardens, and Corcoran under one technology platform, leadership team, and compensation structure. If you’re one of those agents, you’re probably wondering: Should I stay and see how this plays out, or start planning my exit now?
This guide helps you evaluate your situation objectively, understand what you’re entitled to if you leave, and execute a clean brokerage transition if you decide it’s time. Whether you ultimately stay or go, having this plan ready puts you in control rather than reacting to changes as they’re announced.
Important Disclaimer
This article provides general educational information about changing real estate brokerages and is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Every brokerage contract is different, state laws vary significantly, and individual circumstances affect the best course of action. Before making any decisions about leaving your brokerage, changing your contractor status, or forfeiting equity compensation, consult with:
- A real estate attorney licensed in your state to review your specific contract terms
- A tax advisor or CPA regarding the tax implications of equity forfeitures and deferred compensation
- Your broker or compliance department to understand your obligations under your current agreement
The information about the Compass/Anywhere merger is based on publicly available information as of January 2026. Merger terms, integration timelines, and company policies may change. Always verify current policies directly with your brokerage before taking action.
Brokerage offerings, commission structures, technology platforms, and contract terms vary widely and change frequently. What applies to one agent or market may not apply to your situation.
Author disclosure: I am a licensed real estate agent affiliated with Brown Harris Stevens in Connecticut. This article is published as educational content for real estate professionals and does not represent recruitment efforts or the views of my brokerage. I am not soliciting agents to join any specific brokerage.
Are You Actually at Risk? The Evaluation Framework
Before you start interviewing at other brokerages, take an honest assessment of your situation. Not every merger situation warrants an immediate exit. Major brokerage integrations typically unfold over 6-18 months, and knee-jerk reactions often cost more than strategic patience.
Decision Framework: Should You Stay or Go?
Start here:
✓ Unvested equity > $25,000? → Consult attorney BEFORE any decision
✓ Clawback exposure > $50,000? → Time your exit strategically
✓ Top 10% producer in your market? → Negotiate improvements first
✓ Within 6 months of major equity vesting? → Consider staying through vesting
✓ Local leadership you trust is staying? → Give it 6 months before decidingAccording to RealTrends, the decision to switch should be based on substantial reasons that outweigh transition challenges—not emotional reactions to uncertainty.
Red Flags Worth Leaving Over
Some situations justify immediate action:
Commission structure changes imposed without negotiation. If you receive notice that your splits are decreasing or fees are increasing with no grandfathering of existing agreements, that’s a unilateral change to your compensation. High producers should have leverage to negotiate—if management won’t engage, they’re telling you something about your value to them.
Forced technology platform migrations with no transition support. As we discussed in Zillow’s All-In-One Tech Stack: What Independent Agents Need to Know, proprietary platforms create dependency. If you’re being told to abandon your current CRM and transaction management tools without adequate training or data migration support, calculate the cost of that disruption.
Office closures or relocations that fundamentally change your market presence. If your office is being consolidated with another location 45+ minutes away, you’re losing proximity to your geographic farm. For agents whose business depends on local presence, this isn’t a minor inconvenience—it’s a strategic disadvantage.
Leadership exodus at your local office. When the broker who recruited you and the managers who supported you all leave within weeks of the merger, the culture that attracted you is already gone. People create culture, and if the people are leaving, the culture left with them.
Normal Transition Friction (Not Exit-Worthy)
Some disruption is inevitable with any major merger. These situations typically stabilize within 3-6 months:
- Temporary confusion about transactions and payments – Systems integration takes time; frustrating but not exit-worthy unless it extends beyond one quarter
- Brand identity questions – Most mergers maintain multiple brands initially before consolidating over time
- Training schedule changes – Resources get reallocated; represents change, not necessarily degradation
- Multiple leadership communications – Reflects coordination challenges during cascading announcements, not dysfunction
Green Flags That Suggest Staying
Consider staying if:
✓ Your local office leadership is staying and actively managing the transition well
✓ You’re within 6-12 months of vesting significant equity ($25K+)
✓ The merger actually improves your resources (better tech, stronger brand in your market, enhanced training)
✓ Your specialty or niche is strengthened by the combined entity’s resources
✓ You’re in a slower market cycle and can reassess during your busy season
✓ Alternative brokerages in your market offer similar terms without clear advantages
Your Leverage Points
Before deciding whether to stay or go, understand your negotiating position:
You have meaningful leverage if: You closed $5M+ in volume last year, you lead a team of 5+ agents who would likely follow you, you’re the #1 or #2 agent in your local zip code, or you have specialty expertise (luxury, probate, senior housing) that’s hard to replace.
High producers have leverage to negotiate during mergers. Brokerages are being measured on retention numbers—especially top performers. Use this window strategically.
Important: This article is not advocating that you leave your brokerage. Many agents will find that staying and negotiating better terms is the smartest move. The goal is to help you make an informed decision based on YOUR situation, not to encourage mass exodus.
Understanding What You’re Leaving Behind
If you’re seriously considering an exit, you need to understand the full scope of what changes when you switch brokerages. It’s not just about commission splits—your technology infrastructure, professional relationships, and even client ownership may be at stake.
Tech Platform Uncertainty
This is where the Compass/Anywhere merger creates particular complexity. As I covered in Building Your Own Real Estate Tech Stack: A Complete Guide for Independent Agents, there’s a fundamental difference between brokerages that provide proprietary integrated platforms versus those that allow agents to build independent tech stacks.
Compass agents have been operating on a proprietary, all-in-one platform that the company spent over $1 billion developing. This includes CRM, transaction management, collaborative search tools, and marketing automation—all built specifically for Compass agents. Leave Compass, and you lose access to everything in that ecosystem.
Anywhere brand agents have more varied experiences depending on their specific brand and local office. Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and Sotheby’s agents typically use a mix of corporate-provided tools (21Online, MoxiWorks CRM) and independent solutions. The post-merger question: Will everyone be forced onto Compass’s proprietary platform, or will Anywhere agents maintain their current systems?
If you built an independent tech stack—your own CRM like Follow Up Boss or LionDesk, your own transaction management through Dotloop or SkySlope, your own marketing automation—switching brokerages is relatively straightforward. Your tools come with you because you’re the customer, not your brokerage.
Commission Structure Changes
As HousingWire reported, the merger creates a combined entity with over 50% market share in major metros. Merger filings reveal planned “operating efficiencies,” which typically means harmonizing commission structures:
- Split adjustments – If Compass agents average 80/20 while Coldwell Banker agents have 70/30, one group is likely facing a change
- Fee standardization – Monthly desk fees, transaction fees, and tech fees that varied by brand often get standardized post-merger
- Cap changes – Some Anywhere brands offered commission caps; Compass traditionally hasn’t used them
These changes typically roll out 6-12 months post-merger. Use this window to evaluate whether new structures still work for your business model.
Brand and Culture Considerations
Brand matters differently depending on your market and price point. Coldwell Banker and Sotheby’s agents in luxury markets may lose brand equity if corporate leadership sunsets legacy brands for unified Compass identity. Century 21 and Better Homes and Gardens agents in value-oriented markets may find Compass’s luxury positioning doesn’t align with their clientele.
Culture changes take 12-18 months to fully play out post-merger. If you love the culture and people at your current office, give it at least two quarters before assuming it’s destroyed. But if the culture was already marginal before the merger, it rarely improves afterward.
Reading Your Contract NOW (Before You Need To)
This is not the time to discover what you signed. Pull your independent contractor agreement and any amendments, and read through these critical sections while you still have time to plan.
The High-Stakes Financial Fine Print: Equity and Clawbacks
For high-performing agents, leaving isn’t just about lost commission splits—it’s potentially about forfeiting significant money you’ve already earned.
Compass Agents: Your Equity Problem
Compass famously recruited top producers with restricted stock units (RSUs) as part of their compensation package. If you accepted equity:
Vesting schedules: Most RSUs vest over 3-4 years. Leave before vesting, and you forfeit unvested shares. If you were granted $100,000 in RSUs two years ago and they vest 25% annually, you’ve vested $50,000 but would forfeit the remaining $50,000 if you leave now.
Merger conversion terms: Your Compass stock is now converting to the combined entity stock. Check if merger terms triggered acceleration clauses or changed your vesting timeline. Some merger agreements accelerate vesting, others extend timelines—read the shareholder communications you received.
Post-merger stock value: Public markets will determine whether your equity package increases or decreases in value throughout 2026. If the stock trades down significantly, your unvested equity becomes less valuable.
Tax implications: Vested but unsold shares may have tax consequences when you leave. Consult a tax advisor before your exit about timing strategies that minimize tax liability.
⚠️ CRITICAL: Seek Professional Advice
Do not make financial decisions about equity forfeitures, clawbacks, or deferred compensation without consulting:
- A licensed real estate attorney to review your specific contract language and state law
- A tax advisor or CPA to understand tax implications of equity sales, forfeitures, and timing strategies
- A financial planner if you’re dealing with significant unvested equity (over $50,000)
The examples in this section are for illustration only. Your actual contract terms, vesting schedules, and tax treatment will differ. Professional guidance can save you tens of thousands of dollars.
All Agents: Commission Clawbacks
Most brokerage contracts include clawback provisions that let the brokerage recoup commission paid to you if you leave before a specified period after the transaction closes. As The Real Deal reported, major firms have tightened these policies significantly as agent poaching has intensified.
Standard clawback periods: Typically 6-12 months after closing. Leave the brokerage before this window closes, and you may owe back 25-50% of your commission on that transaction.
High producer exceptions: Some top agents negotiate shorter clawback periods (90 days) or elimination of clawbacks entirely. Others negotiate that clawbacks only apply to brokerage-generated leads, not sphere or self-generated business. Check what you actually negotiated, not what you remember.
Merger complications: Are Anywhere brand agents now subject to Compass clawback terms, or vice versa? This should be clarified in merger communications. If it hasn’t been addressed, ask directly in writing.
Action item: Pull every deal you’ve closed in the past 12 months. Calculate your exposure if standard clawback terms apply. If you closed $500,000 in gross commission and 40% falls within a 12-month clawback window with a 30% clawback rate, you could owe $60,000. That’s your exit cost.
Deferred Compensation and Retention Bonuses
Post-merger, many agents receive “stay bonuses” or have deferred compensation programs:
Retention offers: If you accept money to stay (often $10,000-$50,000 for top producers), read the fine print. These typically require 12-24 months of continued production. Leave early, and you repay the bonus—often with interest.
Deferred splits: Some high-volume agents have commission structures that pay out over time. Leaving forfeits future payments on past production.
Team overrides: If you’re a team leader earning overrides on team member production (typically 10-30% of their commission), understand how that revenue stream is affected. Some contracts specify overrides continue for transactions in process; others terminate immediately.
When You Need Legal Review
Have a real estate attorney review your contract:
- You have unvested equity exceeding $25,000
- You’ve closed more than $500,000 in commission in the past 12 months
- You lead a team with override structures
- You received a merger retention bonus
- Your contract includes non-compete clauses limiting where you can work
Real estate attorneys who specialize in agent contracts can often identify exit strategies you wouldn’t see yourself—like merger-triggered material change clauses that allow early termination without penalty.
Non-Compete Clauses and Geographic Restrictions
Some brokerage contracts include non-compete or non-solicit clauses restricting you from:
- Working for another brokerage in the same geographic area (usually 5-25 mile radius) for a specified period (6-24 months)
- Soliciting former clients from your sphere or brokerage-provided leads for a period after departure
- Recruiting other agents from your former brokerage
⚠️ Non-Compete Enforceability Varies by State
Non-compete clause enforceability for independent contractors differs significantly by state. Some states (like California) rarely enforce them; others (like Connecticut) do enforce reasonable restrictions. Do not assume your non-compete is unenforceable without consulting a licensed attorney in your state. Violating a valid non-compete can result in lawsuits, injunctions, and financial damages.
The Negotiation Window
Here’s what most agents don’t realize: Merger chaos creates negotiating opportunities. If you’re a top producer, your current brokerage leadership has retention metrics they’re being measured on. Consider negotiating:
- Accelerated vesting – If you have $50,000 in unvested RSUs, ask for immediate vesting in exchange for a commitment to stay 12 months
- Waived or reduced clawback periods – Negotiate that clawbacks only apply to brokerage-provided leads, not your sphere business
- Increased splits or reduced fees during transition – Ask for a 5% split increase for the next 12 months while integration unfolds
- Written guarantees about tech platform access – Get written confirmation that your current tools will remain available for at least 12 months
But get it in writing, and get it NOW while they’re focused on retention numbers. Six months from now, your leverage disappears.
The Tech Stack Audit (Your Most Valuable Prep Work)
Whether you ultimately stay or leave, conducting a comprehensive technology audit now is the smartest move you can make. This audit serves two purposes: it quantifies what you’d lose if you leave, and it creates a backup of your critical business data if systems get disrupted during merger integration.
What Proprietary Tools You’d Lose Access To
Make a detailed inventory of every tool you currently access through your brokerage:
- CRM and contact management – Export your entire database NOW, including custom fields, tags, interaction history, and automated workflows
- Transaction management software – Download PDFs of all transactions from the past 24 months minimum
- Marketing automation and templates – Download copies of all customized email templates, social media graphics, listing presentations
- Lead generation tools – Understand that brokerage partnership leads (Zillow, Realtor.com/Opcity) are tied to your brokerage relationship, not you personally
- Market analytics and reporting tools – Price out individual subscriptions if you need to replace them
As I covered in Zillow’s All-In-One Tech Stack: What Independent Agents Need to Know, there’s a strategic difference between agents who build independent tech stacks and those who rely entirely on brokerage-provided tools. Agents with independent stacks switch brokerages smoothly. Agents dependent on proprietary platforms face weeks of disruption, lost productivity, and steep learning curves.
Replacement costs if you’re starting from scratch:
- Premium CRM: $50-$150/month
- Transaction management: $0-$50/month (often provided by new brokerage)
- Marketing automation: $30-$100/month
- Website and IDX: $50-$200/month (often provided by new brokerage)
Total: $130-$500/month in new overhead depending on what your new brokerage provides. Factor this into your calculations when comparing commission splits.
Critical Data Backup Checklist
Export immediately (even if you’re not planning to leave):
✓ All CRM contacts with complete field data, interaction history, pipeline stages, tasks, and custom tags ✓ Transaction documents: fully executed agreements, settlement statements, inspection reports, client testimonials ✓ Marketing materials: email templates, social media graphics, listing presentations, video scripts ✓ Production records: detailed list of all closings for past 24 months with dates and commission amounts
Store exports in multiple locations: local drive, cloud storage (Dropbox or Google Drive), and external backup drive. Update monthly.
This backup gives you negotiating leverage: When you know exactly what you’d lose and what it costs to replace, you can quantify the value your brokerage provides and negotiate more effectively.
“I’ve audited my tech stack, and losing access to these tools would cost me $400 per month to replace. That’s equivalent to a 4% split reduction on my average $10,000 commission. I need written confirmation these tools are protected for at least 12 months before I can commit to staying.”
That’s a much stronger negotiating position than “I’m nervous about the merger.”
If You Decide to Leave: The 90-Day Timeline
If you’ve evaluated your contract, audited your tech stack, and decided it’s time to move on, execution matters. A poorly planned exit can cost you clients, commissions, and professional reputation.
90-60 Days: Research and Interview Quietly
Begin exploring other brokerages, but keep your intentions private. Word travels fast in real estate, and if management hears you’re interviewing before you’re ready to give notice, it can create awkward situations or trigger early termination.
Interview at least three different brokerages. Use the framework from How to Choose the Right Real Estate Brokerage for Your Career to evaluate: training and support, technology infrastructure, lead generation, culture, and commission structures.
Ask these specific questions:
- “What’s the transition support process for agents bringing existing business?”
- “How do you handle deals in process when an agent joins? Any delay in commission processing?”
- “What does tech stack migration look like? Do you provide CRM data import support?”
- “What are the true all-in costs? Monthly fees, transaction fees, tech fees, E&O insurance, board dues—complete breakdown for my first year.”
- “What are the exit terms if this isn’t the right fit after six months?”
Take detailed notes and create a comparison spreadsheet. Don’t make this decision emotionally.
60-30 Days: Contract Attorney Review and Strategic Timing
Once you’ve identified your new brokerage, have your current contract reviewed by an attorney before you give notice. Understand your exposure on clawbacks, equity forfeitures, and non-compete restrictions.
Time your notice strategically to save thousands:
- If you have deals closing in the next 30 days, wait until they close before giving notice
- If you have significant unvested equity, calculate whether waiting another quarter to vest additional shares is worth staying longer
- If you’re approaching your annual cap, consider staying until you hit it before switching to a new brokerage where you start fresh
Submit your resignation in writing with clear, specific language: “This letter serves as my official notice of resignation effective February 15, 2026, as required by my independent contractor agreement dated March 10, 2019.”
Keep copies of your resignation notice and any response from management. You’ll need documentation if disputes arise later.
30-0 Days: Client Communication and Data Migration
This is the most critical phase. How you tell clients and execute your tech migration determines whether you maintain business momentum or lose deals during transition.
Client Communication Strategy:
Tell your active clients (deals in process or closed in past 18 months) before you announce publicly. They should hear it from you directly, not through rumors.
Three-tier approach:
- Active deals in process: Personal phone call. “I’m moving to [New Brokerage] effective [Date]. This doesn’t change anything about your transaction—same timeline, same service. Only the brokerage name on paperwork changes.”
- Recent clients (closed in past 18 months): Personal email or video. “I’m joining [New Brokerage] where I’ll have access to [specific benefit]. Wanted you to know personally before I announce more widely.”
- Broader sphere: Social media announcement after active/recent clients know. Keep it positive and forward-looking. Don’t bash your former brokerage.
First 30 Days at New Brokerage: Momentum Maintenance
Your first month is about proving you made the right decision:
- Reach out to your database more aggressively than normal with market updates and check-ins
- Attend every training and onboarding session your new brokerage offers
- Shadow top producers to understand how they use the brokerage’s resources
- Set a 90-day goal: match or exceed your production from the same period last year
Alternative: Stay and Negotiate
Not every agent who’s uncertain about the merger needs to leave. Sometimes the smartest move is staying and using your leverage to improve your situation.
What the Merger Gives You Leverage to Ask For
Post-merger retention is a key performance metric for leadership. They’re being measured on how many agents they keep, particularly high producers. If you’re closing significant volume, you have leverage to negotiate better terms.
What to ask for if you’re willing to stay 12 months:
“I’m committed to this brokerage long-term, but the merger creates uncertainty. I’d like a 5% higher split for the next 12 months to compensate for the integration challenges. In exchange, you have certainty that I’m staying and continuing to produce.”
“I’d like my unvested equity accelerated so it vests immediately, in exchange for a written commitment to stay 18 months and close at least [your annual average] in volume.”
“I need a written guarantee that the current tech stack I’m using remains available and fully supported for at least 12 months. I’ve built my business on these tools, and switching mid-year would be extremely disruptive.”
“I’d like clawbacks eliminated for the next 12 months, given the extra work required during this transition period.”
When Staying Makes Strategic Sense
Sometimes staying is the smarter move even if you’re not thrilled about the merger:
- You’re within 12 months of vesting significant equity – If you have $40,000 vesting in eight months, staying and then reassessing makes financial sense
- The merger actually improves your resources – If you’re getting access to Compass’s superior tech platform, better marketing resources, and stronger brand
- Your local office leadership is staying and committed – If the broker and managers you trust are actively managing the transition well
- You’re in a slower market or production cycle – Staying through your off-season and reassessing in your busy season reduces risk
- Your alternative options aren’t meaningfully better – If other brokerages in your market offer similar splits and resources, switching just adds disruption
Getting Commitments in Writing
If you negotiate improved terms or guarantees to stay, insist on written amendments to your contract. Verbal promises from managers who themselves might leave in six months are worthless.
“I appreciate the offer of a higher split during the transition. Let’s document that in a written amendment to my contractor agreement so we both have clarity.”
If management resists putting commitments in writing, that tells you everything you need to know about whether they’ll honor them.
Your Path Forward
Changing brokerages is one of the most significant decisions in a real estate agent’s career—particularly during the uncertainty of a major merger. Whether you ultimately decide to stay, negotiate better terms, or make a strategic exit, the key is making an informed decision based on your specific situation rather than reacting emotionally to industry chaos.
The Compass/Anywhere merger affects 340,000 agents, and each of those agents has different priorities, different leverage, and different risk tolerance. There’s no universal “right answer” about whether to stay or go. But there is a right process: evaluate your contract, audit your tech dependencies, understand your financial exposure, and make a decision based on data rather than fear or frustration.
If you decide to stay, do it actively—negotiate better terms, demand clarity on integration timelines, and hold leadership accountable for their commitments. If you decide to leave, execute strategically with proper planning, clear communication, and attention to the financial and operational details that protect your business during transition.
Most importantly, remember that you control your career. Brokerages are vehicles for building your business, not destinations. The best brokerage is the one that gives you the resources, support, and economic terms you need to serve clients well and build sustainable income. If that’s no longer true at your current brokerage, it’s not disloyal to leave—it’s professional.
Want updates on the merger’s impact? I’ll be publishing merger-related insights periodically. Join my email list to get notified when I update this guide or publish related content
Related Resources
- How to Choose the Right Real Estate Brokerage for Your Career
- Building Your Own Real Estate Tech Stack: A Complete Guide for Independent Agents
- Zillow’s All-In-One Tech Stack: What Independent Agents Need to Know
- PropStream: 5 Signs It’s Time to Switch Brokerages
- AgentFire: How to Successfully Change Brokerages
Legal Disclaimer & Disclosures
Educational Content Only: This article provides general information about changing real estate brokerages and is intended for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, financial advice, tax advice, or professional consulting of any kind.
No Attorney-Client Relationship: Reading this article does not create an attorney-client, advisor-client, or professional services relationship between you and the author or BetsyNolan.com.
Consult Licensed Professionals: Before making any decisions about changing brokerages, forfeiting equity, or terminating contracts, you should consult with:
- A real estate attorney licensed in your state
- A certified public accountant (CPA) or tax advisor
- A financial planner for significant equity decisions
- Your current broker or compliance department
State-Specific Laws Apply: Real estate licensing, independent contractor agreements, non-compete clauses, and commission structures are regulated at the state level. Laws vary significantly. Information that applies in one state may not apply in yours.
Individual Circumstances Vary: Your specific contract terms, production level, market conditions, and personal financial situation affect the best course of action. This article cannot account for your individual circumstances.
Accuracy and Timeliness: While I strive for accuracy, brokerage policies, merger terms, commission structures, and technology platforms change frequently. Information about the Compass/Anywhere merger is based on publicly available information as of January 2026 and may be outdated by the time you read this. Always verify current information directly with brokerages and official sources.
No Guarantee of Results: Following the strategies or timelines outlined in this article does not guarantee any particular outcome. Real estate markets, brokerage relationships, and career transitions involve inherent uncertainties and risks.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase products or services through these links. This does not affect the price you pay or the objectivity of the information provided.
Third-Party Content: This article references and links to third-party sources including brokerages, technology providers, and industry publications. I am not responsible for the accuracy, availability, or content of external sites.
Updates and Corrections: This article may be updated periodically as new information becomes available about the Compass/Anywhere merger integration. Last updated: January 11, 2026.
Your Responsibility: You are solely responsible for evaluating your brokerage relationship, reviewing your contracts, and making informed decisions about your real estate career. Seek professional guidance appropriate to your situation.
By reading and using information from this article, you acknowledge that you have read this disclaimer and agree to its terms.
