Become a Costera Luxury Property Agent

No Payment Option (BFPO #1)

OPTION #1: Under this option, an Agent is not billed and makes NO payments to Costera Luxury Properties (Broker) during their 12-month term. This is solely a performance-based plan and there are NO out-of-pocket expenses to the Broker with this option. The Broker fee is originally set at 20% (80/20 commission split) of the Total Gross Commission (TGC) per transaction side for "residential sales". Once an Agent generates gross commissions "above" $40,000 TGC, the Broker fee will automatically go from 20% and be permanently fixed at 10% (90/10 commission split) of the TGC per transaction side for "residential sales" and for any 12-month term thereafter. Performance-Based Option (Agent has NO annual or semi-annual payments under this option = $0/year).

BFPO #1 is a Popular Option for:

• Agents who are personally satisfied with an 80/20 commission split;
• Agents who have little to no residential sales experience as a California REALTOR®;
• Agents who do not personally foresee any potential real estate sales transactions within the next 12-months;
• Agents who do not personally consider real estate sales a full-time career/position;
• Agents who cannot afford, or simply prefer not to pay upfront brokerage fees/out-of-pocket expenses to the Broker;
• Agents who have a spouse licensed with the Broker;
• Agents who prefer to simply hold their license with the Broker as Non-REALTOR® Agents - but are still able to receive Associate-Licensee benefits as described in footnote [9] below.

Annual & Semi-Annual Payment Options (BFPO #2, 3 and 4)

OPTION #2: Under this option, the Broker fee is set at 10% (90/10 commission split) of the Total Gross Commission (TGC) per transaction side for "residential sales" and for any 12-month term thereafter. Agent makes an upfront payment of $720 annually (1 upfront payment at $720 = $720/year).

OPTION #3 and 4: Under these options, the Broker fee is set at 5% (95/5 commission split) of the Total Gross Commission (TGC) per transaction side for "residential sales" and for any 12-month term thereafter. Option #3: Agent makes an upfront payment of $720 and then another $720 payment every 6-months (2 semi-annual payments at $720 = $1,440/year); or Option #4: Agent makes an upfront payment of $1,200 annually (1 upfront payment at $1,200 = $1,200/year).

BFPO #2, 3 and 4 are Popular Options for:

• Agents who are personally satisfied receiving a higher commission split percentage vs. BFPO #1;
• Agents who have residential sales experience as a California REALTOR®;
• Agents who foresee and already have real estate clients lined-up and ready to sell and/or purchase properties within the next 12-months;
• Agents who personally consider real estate sales a full-time career/position;

* There are no refunds, credits or prorations that are returned back to the Agent. Prior to your Anniversary Date (12-month renewal), the Agent must notify the Broker, in writing, with at least 30-days prior notice of Agent's 12-month Anniversary Date if Agent wishes to choose another BFPO. If not, the Agent's current option will be automatically extended for another 12-months and cannot be changed until the Anniversary Date renewal is up again.

Additionally, all Commission Plans are based on a minimum of 2.50% commission per transaction side of the Residential Sales Price (RSP), or a minimum of $625, whichever is greater. Please keep in mind that real estate commission percentages and sales compensations are negotiable between Seller and Broker, and therefore, may vary and are not set at a fixed percentage or dollar amount. Additionally, there is no limit to the maximum commission percentage or dollar amount per transaction side as well.

NOTE: There are NO Transaction Management System (TMS) fees associated with “residential sales” transactions under any BFPO. However, for “non-residential sales” transactions, the Agent's BFPO commission percentage does not apply. The Broker simply charges the Agent a flat fee of 25% of the TGC received for "non-residential sales" transactions, plus: 1) a TMS fee of $100 per transaction side for Leasing any type of Property; Mobile / Manufactured Home sales; and Land sales transactions; or 2) a TMS fee of $250 per transaction side for Commercial sales transactions. Any other associated costs and/or variable fees involved, as described in footnotes [4] - [7] below, may apply.

If you are wondering what California REALTORS® generally make annually, please click the button directly below.

If you, the Agent (Scout), refer other real estate agents (Recruits) to join Costera Luxury Properties (Broker), you, as the Scout, will receive a $100 Recruiting Bonus (commission) each-and-every time one of your Recruits closes a qualified sales transaction with us.

A qualified sales transaction is based on a minimum sales transaction of $500,000, and both the Recruit and Scout must be current Real Estate Associates with the Broker.

Upon your request as a Costera Real Estate Sales Associate, our basic training program includes but is not limited to the following: Advertising & Marketing Strategies (e.g., online and traditional); Appraisals; Communications (e.g., Public, Sellers, Buyers, Agents, your Broker, etc.); Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) Reports; Counter Offers & Addenda; Disclosures (e.g., NHD, TDS, MCA, SBSA, Company, Local Area, etc.); Escrow & Title; Financing & Cash Offers; Home Inspections & Reports (e.g., AVID, MII, MOI, Mold, Wood/Pest, etc.); Homeowner Associations (HOA); Home Warranty Plans; Leasing Agreements & Rental Applications; Listing Agreements & Appointments; MLS Rules, Regulations & Ethics; Negotiations; New Home/Development Procedures & Transactions; Online Security; Personal Safety Practices; Personal Time & Financial Management; Purchase Agreements; Referrals (Offering and Receiving); and Risk Management.

Although the use of a Transaction Coordinator (TC) is highly encouraged for all Agents in Residential Sales Transactions, it is NOT required or mandatory to use a Transaction Coordinator for Experienced Agents who have over $2 million in proven California Residential Sales Transactions. However, Agents who have no residential sales experience or have sold less than $2 million in proven California Residential Sales Transactions; or do any commercial real estate transactions are required to use a Transaction Coordinator. Please note that Costera Luxury Properties (Broker) is not affiliated with and does not employ Transaction Coordinators to manage transaction files for any of their Agents.

Typically, a TC will charge a transaction coordination fee for their services of approximately $400 to $600 per transaction side. Additionally, all TC fees are the responsibility of the Agent, not the Broker, and are to be paid through escrow once the transaction is closed and complete. 

Agents who have no residential sales experience or have sold less than $2 million in proven California Residential Sales Transactions (RST) must pay the Broker, at the Close of Escrow, a ONE-TIME ONLY New Licensee Supplemental (NLS) fee of $2,500 on their first sales transaction. The NLS fee is used to recover the Broker's costs associated with, but not limited to, the Broker's time involved with training and mentoring licensed agents with little to no California residential sales experience as a REALTOR®. The NLS fee applies to all four (4) 12-month term Commission Plan Options.

All Agents with Costera Luxury Properties (Broker) are encouraged to purchase and utilize all tools necessary to effectively run their own business and are responsible for their own expenses including, but not limited to the following: State licensing and DRE fees; Associated REALTOR® membership dues, including lockbox and key access fees; Venmo and PayPal transaction service fees; Automobile insurance, maintenance, registration, fuel and expenses; Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance deductibles (per applicable occurrence, and is commensurate with Agent's BFPO commission split percentage and fee structure, including applicable attorney fees, court costs, damages, expenditures, and judgment/settlement sums); Client meal and entertainment expenses; Postage and courier fees; Staging costs; Transaction Coordinator (TC) fees; Professional photography, virtual staging, virtual tours and professional headshots; Graphic design services; Business cards; Name badges; Agent websites; Email accounts; Internet service; Phone service; Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools; Door-knocking pieces; Event planning; For sale, open house, riders and yard signage; Flags, posts, stakes and banners; Greeting cards, brochures, postcards and flyers; and Mass email platforms.

Costera Luxury Properties (Broker) is a member of the California (CAR) and National (NAR) Association of REALTORS®; a participant to the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS); and associated with five (5) local Southern California REALTOR® Associations as Designated REALTOR® members as described in the REALTOR® Membership section above.

An Agent cannot join or continue to remain with other REALTOR® Associations if the Broker holds no membership in that particular real estate association. HOWEVER, if an Agent insists on joining or remaining with such association, the Agent must have the Broker's expressed written approval to do so. Please keep in mind that additional Brokerage fees/charges may be applicable.

As a REALTOR® (independent contractor that is a licensed real estate agent), your income/compensation is completely commission-based and will vary based on your skills, experience, location, market conditions, your connections, work ethic, and so on. If you're looking for a very general average, the average annual income for REALTORS® throughout the state of California hovers around $100,000.

Obviously, California is a very large state and the real estate market can vary significantly from area to area. While the average annual income throughout the state of California represents a fairly high number vs. the national average, the salary range, as an example for REALTORS® specifically located in Mission Viejo, CA (our Main Office address), falls somewhere between $65,000 on the low end and around $340,000 for top earners - averaging around $150,000 annually. For the latest salary data for REALTORS® in Mission Viejo, please click the button directly below.

Why is there such a huge gap in pay? Well, in order to become a top earner, agents must commit a significant amount of time, energy and money into their business. Hard work is essential to high salaries, however. Like any career, real estate agents who build a solid foundation of hard work and dedication to the business will find the most success. Agents who don't put out a dedicated and consistent effort, typically fail to succeed within their first year or two in the business. With that said, multi-million dollar homes around Los Angeles, Newport Beach, San Diego, Palm Springs, and other areas, mean there are REALTORS® making well above the average annual salary. Star agents in California can make millions annually. While these numbers may seem out of reach, if you are a REALTOR® in California - your chances of multi-million dollar sales are higher than any other state.

REALTOR®

In order to perform real estate transactions with Costera Luxury Properties (Broker), you must be an Associate | REALTOR® member as described in the REALTOR® Membership section above. REALTORS® can refer and receive client/customer leads, receive referral commissions, and can also participate in and receive Recruiting Bonuses. REALTORS® can be engaged in listing, selling, leasing, renting, counseling, and providing comparative home values of real property with Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) Reports. REALTORS® with the Broker can REFER their clients/customers to mortgage brokers/lenders, property managers, appraisers, attorneys, certified financial planners, tax advisors, architects, engineers, general contractors, professional home inspectors, and so on. However, REALTORS® are NOT allowed to engage in or provide any of the following professional services: legal/financial; architectural/engineering; property management; appraisals; or prepare/arrange the financing of real property. REALTORS® with the Broker are participants and subscribers to the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS) and can also gain REALTOR® access to the MLS, lockboxes, etc.

All REALTORS® with the Broker MUST be able to drive to and access properties that your Southern California real estate clients are interested in leasing, purchasing and/or selling. Additionally, REALTORS® are required to actually and physically perform visual home inspections and hold open houses, which includes but is not limited to meeting appraisers, professional home inspectors, and termite inspectors at the Southern California properties you are helping your real estate clients lease, purchase and/or sell. For more information on what a typical REALTOR® does, please click the button directly below.

Real Estate Licensee / Non-REALTOR® Agent

Agents who are Associate-Licensee's with Costera Luxury Properties (Broker) are defined as Non-REALTOR® Agents who hold their real estate license with the Broker. Associate-Licensee's can REFER client/customer leads to the Broker, receive referral commissions, and can also participate in and receive Recruiting Bonuses. Associate-Licensee's can also ASSIST other REALTORS® with the Broker, but are NOT allowed to engage in or provide any of the following professional services: legal/financial; architectural/engineering; property management; appraisals; or prepare/arrange the financing of real property. Additionally, Associate-Licensee's are not participants or subscribers in any Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and cannot perform real estate services on their own, receive leads from/through the Broker, or gain REALTOR® access to the MLS, lockboxes, etc.

If you should have any questions, please feel free to call us direct or simply complete the form below.