Are real estate agents really worth the commission? In this episode of Ladies Who List, Chicago real estate agents Hayley Westhoff and Anna Theofanous pull back the curtain on how real estate commissions actually work and where that money really goes.

They break down agent commission splits, average realtor income, and the often overlooked costs of running a real estate business, including brokerage fees, marketing expenses, licensing, MLS dues, health insurance, self-employment taxes, and operating costs. This episode offers an honest look at what agents actually take home after expenses and why commission numbers can be misleading at first glance.

You will also hear what it is really like to be a full-time real estate agent, from working seven days a week with no salary or paid time off to managing unpredictable income and deals that fall apart after months of work. Hayley and Anna explain the value real estate agents provide, including protecting clients from costly mistakes, navigating negotiations, and guiding buyers and sellers through one of the largest financial decisions of their lives.

If you have ever questioned realtor commissions, wondered how much agents truly make, or want a transparent look at the business side of real estate, this episode delivers straight talk with no fluff and no filters.