A 25-Year Brokerage Journey: Why This Agent Picked eXp (and the Surprise He Found)
Twenty-five years in real estate is a lifetime. You see trends come and go. You try out different brokerages. You build a business.
For Jonathan Rhee, a solo agent in Ontario, that journey led him through several major players before he realized something was missing. The "agent-centric" model he needed, but felt unachievable…that was until he spent months doing his homework on eXp Realty. And in October 2025, he officially joined.
What convinced a 25-year veteran specializing in residential, commercial, and condos to make the switch? It came down to three things: a better business model, transparency, and solid support.
The Research Phase: Why Revenue Share Beats Profit Share
Jonathan’s research began with eXp’s origin story. He researched founder Glenn Sanford’s reason for creating the company: addressing the risks and pitfalls he saw in other models.
Jonathan noted the shift from a profit share model to Revenue Share, built to benefit agents solely. That structure was a major selling point for his own business model.
“I didn’t need a BOR or manager,” Jonathan said. He was looking for consistency and administrative support without the middle layers. After extensive research, he found "no other equivalent" to eXp.
He looked for a company that would allow him to develop his own brand and business model while leveraging the power of sponsorship and helping other agents.
What It's Like on the Inside
For any agent moving to a new brokerage, especially one structured differently, the first few weeks can feel like a maze. Jonathan’s initial impressions, however, were quick and positive.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent support,” he said.
Navigating new company policy and information takes time, of course. But Jonathan quickly realized the internal help was as good as he hoped. “Responses are timely and support is great as I suspected.”
It wasn't just about the money, either. Jonathan appreciated the overall integrity he found.
“Full Disclosure. There is a level of transparency unlike other brokerages.” In an industry that sometimes feels guarded, that kind of open-book approach is refreshing.
A Career Defined by Specialization and Support
Jonathan’s career has been robust. He spent 25 years with major brokerages like Royal LePage and Keller Williams, gaining experience across a wide spectrum of real estate.
Jonathan is known for volunteering his time to offer broker and transactional support to agents who need it, regardless of their brokerage.
This sense of collaboration and agent-first thinking aligns perfectly with the eXp culture. For a solo agent looking to expand his influence and continue growing his business, the move to eXp was a clear step forward.
Want to connect with Jonathan?
He is based in Ontario, Canada, and can be reached via email at jonathan@mapleleadgroup.ca.
