Executive Summary (TL;DR)
Recruiting productive agents—those closing 10 or more deals annually—is essential for sustainable brokerage growth. Most agents are inactive, making quality recruitment a critical differentiator. MNKY.agency specializes in recruiting high-performing agentsfor brokerages to build thriving agent rosters and stronger brands.
Key Takeaways
- Over 70% of agents sold NO HOUSES transactions in 2024.
- High agent count doesn’t equal higher sales or client satisfaction.
- Compass succeeds through a core of productive agents with real client relationships.
- Internal recruiters often struggle to attract high-performing agents.
- MNKY.agency focuses on recruiting agents producing around 10 transactions per year.
- Recruiting productive agents builds self-sustaining brokerage sales ecosystems.
- Brokerages partnering with MNKY.agency can build stronger brands and teams.
This blog post is part of a larger strategy outlined in our flagship resource: The 2025 Guide to Real Estate Agent Recruitment. In that guide, we break down the entire recruitment funnel—from crafting your brokerage’s value proposition to building high-converting landing pages and nurturing agent leads. If you’re serious about scaling your team with the right people, this is your blueprint.
About the Author
Stu Hill is the CEO of MNKY Agency, a leading digital marketing and recruitment consultancy serving the real estate industry. With over two decades of experience helping brokerages scale through smart systems and standout branding, Stu brings a unique blend of tech-savvy strategy and boots-on-the-ground insight to agent recruitment and retention.
He’s worked with hundreds of brokerages across the U.S. and Canada, helping them attract top talent, streamline onboarding, and build high-performing teams. His work has been featured in industry publications, webinars, and national conferences.
At MNKY Agency, Stu leads a team that specializes in agent recruitment marketing, onboarding automation, and brokerage growth strategy.
Why Productive Agents Are the Key to Your Brokerage’s Future
Industry Reality: Most Agents Aren’t Closing Deals
The reality of today’s real estate market is clear: more than 70% of agents nationwide didn’t close a single transaction in 2024. This means most agents within brokerages are not contributing meaningfully to the bottom line. Instead, the agents who consistently close 10 or more deals a year are the true drivers of sustainable growth.
Why Agent Count Doesn’t Always Mean Success
Big agent counts alone don’t guarantee success. Many brokerages chase recruiting numbers through viral campaigns, downline models, or social media buzz, but these approaches often fall short when it comes to generating actual sales and client satisfaction. Many agents focus more on recruiting others than on closing deals or cultivating clients.
Compass’s Advantage: The Power of Production
Compass offers a compelling contrast. Their agents average well over 10 deals per year because they have genuine client relationships and inventory. This strong internal network allows Compass agents to support innovative strategies like private listings and in-house sales. Competing brands like eXp, Real, and Keller Williams often lack this depth of production and rely more heavily on recruiting tactics and external listings.
Challenges with Traditional Recruiting Methods
Internal recruiters and appointment setters are struggling nationwide to connect with truly productive agents. The highest-performing agents want more than generic pitches—they value brokerages that stand up for their marketing freedom, provide meaningful support, and foster business autonomy.
How MNKY.agency Recruits for Real Production
MNKY.agency pairs brokerages with these productive agents—the ones who add genuine lifetime value. Focusing on quality rather than headcount, MNKY.agency helps brokerages develop a core team that generates listings, attracts clients, and sustains growth.
Building a Self-Sustaining Sales Ecosystem
Recruiting just a handful of these high-performing agents creates a self-sustaining sales ecosystem: in-house listings, motivated buyers, and real transaction volume—not just recruitment noise.
Ready to Build a Stronger Brokerage?
Brokerages ready to break free from ineffective recruiting methods and position themselves as the destination for top-producing agents will find a true partner in MNKY.agency. Together, they build stronger brands and stronger teams designed to thrive in today’s evolving market.
Let´s Talk: Book a Recruiting Consultation
Stop chasing empty agent numbers. Book a free recruiting consultation with MNKY.agency today and discover how our team can help you attract productive agents who will drive real, lasting growth for your brokerage.
Let´s Get Growing!
FAQs About Recruiting Productive Real Estate Agents
Yes, productive agents tend to have higher engagement and loyalty, increasing retention and lifetime value to the brokerage.
We help develop and amplify your employer brand to attract the right agents who align with your business goals.
They offer agents more marketing control and client options, making brokerages more attractive to high-performing agents.
An internal network of productive agents allows more in-house listings, faster sales cycles, and marketing autonomy.
MNKY.agency targets high-performing agents with proven production rather than focusing on headcount or recruiting gimmicks.
Focusing on large headcount, generic pitches, and volume recruiting rather than targeting quality, production, and agent support.
They bring listings, buyers, credibility, and help build a self-sustaining brokerage network, driving long-term growth.
A “10-deal agent” consistently completes around 10 or more transactions annually, demonstrating reliable production and client engagement.
A strong, authentic brand signals support, professionalism, and opportunity—key factors that attract and retain productive agents.
Over 70% of agents nationwide did not close a transaction in 2024 due to various market and structural factors.
Agents closing 10+ transactions contribute significantly to brokerage revenue and create a sustainable sales ecosystem.
High production means more closed deals, revenue, and listings. Having many inactive agents inflates numbers but does not drive business success.
