Newly Licensed in Sacramento? How to Choose Your First Brokerage
Your first brokerage shapes your first year: how you learn, what you keep from each deal and who answers when you get stuck. This guide covers the questions to ask before you hang your license, and how joining eXp with Talha Torania as your sponsor works. Talha is based in Sacramento and works with agents nationwide and worldwide, wherever eXp is open.
See the eXp plans and apply Call (916) 346-9758
Questions to ask any brokerage
- What is the split, and is there a cap? Ask what share you keep, whether it changes after a set amount and what happens once you reach it.
- What are all the fees? Ask about start-up, monthly and per-closing fees in writing, so you can compare total cost, not just the split.
- How are new agents trained? Ask who reviews your first contracts and how your first few deals are supported.
- Who will pick up the phone? A sponsor or mentor you can reach matters more in year one than almost anything else.
- Can I do commercial work too? If you may want to work with business owners, investors or landlords later, ask whether the brokerage has a commercial side.
- Do I have to join a team or recruit? Ask whether anything is required beyond doing your own business.
How eXp answers those questions
- Residential (eXp Realty): 80/20 to a $16,000 cap, then 100%. Start-up $149 (includes first month), $85 monthly, $65 per closing ($25 review, $40 E&O), and $250 per closing after you cap.
- Newer agents: with fewer than 3 closings in the last 12 months, your first 3 deals run through eXp’s Mentor Program at 60/40.
- Commercial (eXp Commercial): 80/20 to a $20,000 cap, then 100%. Start-up $500 (includes first month), $500 monthly, $350 per closing ($250 review, $100 E&O), and $250 per closing after you cap. With 3 or fewer commercial deals in 24 months, you join an approved group within 45 days, or eXp places you in its Mentor Program.
- Revenue share: eXp has a revenue share program. It is optional. You do not have to build a sponsored group in order to succeed, and income from that program is not guaranteed.
Fees as published by eXp, November 2026. Your application shows current terms. Full details are on the Join My Team page.
Why name Talha Torania as your sponsor
Talha Torania is Director of Sales and Leasing at eXp Commercial (CA DRE #02056948), with 10 years of experience, based at 915 Highland Pointe Dr, Suite 250, Roseville. He walks new agents through the application, how to enter his name as sponsor and co-sponsor, and first-year questions, including commercial deals if that is the path you want. You are not required to join a separate sales team in order to name him as sponsor.
Your first steps
- Pick your lane: residential, commercial, or both.
- Apply with eXp: use the application link on the Join My Team page.
- Enter Talha Torania (talha.torania@expcommercials.com) as sponsor and co-sponsor.
- Call or text Talha at (916) 346-9758 to plan your first 90 days.
Want the free Commercial Cheat Sheet? Get the free agent resources.
Frequently asked questions
Can I join eXp as a brand-new agent?
Yes. Newly licensed agents can apply. An active real estate license is required. If you have fewer than 3 closings in the last 12 months, the residential Mentor Program applies to your first 3 deals.
Do I have to live in Sacramento to name Talha as sponsor?
No. Talha is Sacramento-based and can be named as sponsor and co-sponsor wherever eXp is open. Local pages for Roseville, Elk Grove and Folsom are also available.
Do I have to recruit other agents?
No. The revenue share program is optional. You can join and work your own deals.
Can I add commercial real estate later?
Yes. eXp Commercial is its own brokerage with its own published split and fees. Talha can help you decide which lane to start in. See current properties for examples of the commercial work he handles.
Join eXp with Talha Call or text (916) 346-9758
Talha Torania, Director of Sales and Leasing, eXp Commercial, 915 Highland Pointe Dr, Suite 250, Roseville, CA 95678. CA DRE #02056948.