Moving Brokerages Without Losing Clients or Momentum: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dec 26

How do you change brokerages without losing traction or hurting relationships?
If you're a productive agent, you're probably juggling a handful of clients, listings, or closings at any given moment. That makes switching brokerages feel risky—even if you're sure it's the right move.

The truth? With the right plan, you can transition smoothly without losing momentum. Here's how.

Step 1: Review Your Independent Contractor Agreement (ICA)

Before you do anything else, read the fine print. Your ICA likely outlines:

What happens to pending deals
Commission policies if you leave
Required notice periods

Not all brokerages handle transitions the same. Some reduce your commission on under-contract deals if you're no longer with them at closing. Others, like CrossView Realty, honor those commissions entirely—you earned them, and you should keep them.

Step 2: Map Out Your Active Pipeline

Take a detailed look at:

Active listings
Buyers under contract
Upcoming closings
Warm leads in progress

This will help you decide the right timing for your move and what needs to stay put vs. what can move with you.

Step 3: Notify Your Broker Professionally

Even if you're leaving for good reasons, professionalism matters. Schedule a brief conversation. Be clear, respectful, and to the point. Avoid gossip, complaints, or anything emotional.

A graceful exit protects your reputation—and makes future deals with those agents or that broker far easier.

Step 4: Coordinate the Logistics

Here’s what you'll want to update or transition:

MLS affiliation and license transfer
Email signature, website, and business cards
Yard signs and listing materials
CRM data (make sure you retain what you legally own)
Online profiles (Zillow, Realtor.com, Google Business, etc.)

A good brokerage will help you knock this out quickly—and possibly even assign someone to walk you through it.

Step 5: Communicate With Your Clients

This part can feel tricky, but it doesn't have to be. Keep it simple:

Let them know you're changing brokerages to better support your business
Reassure them that nothing about your commitment to them will change
Provide updated contact details, and if needed, new forms or disclosures

Most clients will respect your decision—and appreciate the professionalism.

Step 6: Use the Move as a Business Relaunch

Don’t just change brokerages—reintroduce yourself.

Announce your move on social (without disparaging your old firm)
Update your email list or newsletter audience
Refresh your marketing with new messaging or branding

A brokerage move is a perfect opportunity to reset your tone, value proposition, and market presence.

Final Takeaway

Switching brokerages doesn’t have to feel like jumping off a cliff. With a clear plan, honest communication, and the right support, you can protect your clients, your pipeline, and your momentum.

Schedule a confidential meeting today.
If you’re thinking about making a move, let’s walk through the timeline together and make sure you land in the right place—without missing a beat.

CrossView