How Real Estate Agents Get Paid After Closing: Commission Disbursement Explained

Your commission does not go straight to you. At closing, the title or escrow company pays your brokerage, using a commission disbursement authorization (CDA) your broker sends. Your broker takes its fees and pays you. To get paid faster, finish your file early, get it approved before closing, send the CDA on time and confirm how your broker pays you.

How does a commission get from closing to you?

1. The deal closes. The buyer's money and loan arrive at the title company, escrow company or closing attorney.
2. The closer pays the brokerages. The closing statement lists each commission. The closer pays each brokerage its share, following the CDA.
3. Your broker gets the money. It lands in the brokerage's account.
4. Your broker checks the file. Many brokerages won't pay until compliance signs off.
5. Your broker pays you. Your commission, minus the brokerage's split or fees, by wire, ACH or check.

The law sets the first part of this. Agents are paid through their broker. Texas states it plainly: all commissions must be paid through the agent's sponsoring broker. Most states have a similar rule. See agent vs. broker.

What is a commission disbursement authorization (CDA)?

A CDA is a short document from your brokerage to the closer. It says how much commission goes to your brokerage and where to send it. Some brokerages also split it out by agent, team and referral fee.

A CDA usually lists:

• The property address and closing date.
• The total commission on your side.
• Any referral fee owed to another brokerage.
• Payment instructions for your brokerage.
• A broker's signature.

The commission on the CDA must match the closing statement. If they don't match, the closer may hold your money until someone fixes it.

What slows down a commission payment?

• Missing documents. A signature, disclosure or addendum not in the file.
• A late CDA. The closer can't pay without it.
• Numbers that don't match. A credit or price change that didn't reach the CDA.
• A late funding. In some states, the loan funds after signing, so money moves a day or more later.
• Paper checks. Mailing and clearing a check takes longer than a wire.
• Payout schedules. Some brokerages pay on set days, not the day the money arrives.

How can agents get paid faster?

1. Upload documents as you go. Don't save the file for the week of closing.
2. Ask for a compliance review before closing. Fix problems while there is still time.
3. Send the CDA early. As soon as the final numbers are set.
4. Check the closing statement against the CDA. Every credit and every number.
5. Keep your tax and payment info current. Your W-9 and payment details on file with your broker.
6. Ask how and when your broker pays. Wire, ACH or check, and what day.

How do you protect a commission from wire fraud?

Scammers target closings. They send fake emails with new wiring instructions, for buyers and for agents. The CFPB warns buyers to confirm instructions by phone with a number they know is real. Do the same for your own payout:

• Never change payment details because of an email alone.
• Call your broker at a known number to confirm any change.
• Report fraud right away to your bank and to the FBI's IC3.

What about commission advances?

Some companies pay you part of a pending commission early, for a fee. You sign over part of the check. Before you use one, ask the total cost in dollars, what happens if the deal falls apart, and whether your broker allows it. An advance gets you money sooner, but it costs money.

What if you switch brokerages before a deal closes?

Pending deals usually close and pay through the broker you were with when the deal was written. Your old agreement decides what you get. Read it before you give notice. See the switching brokerages checklist.

How does AXEN pay agents?

At AXEN, a Deal Desk coordinator builds your CDA, sends it to title and works your file. Your state broker reviews it. AXEN pays you once the money arrives and compliance clears, never at closing. The $295 admin fee per sale pays for that coordinator and review. AXEN has no split: Pro is $500 a closing, capped at $6,000 a year. See the pay plans page, brokerage fees compared and brokerages where agents keep 100%.

Quick answers

Do real estate agents get paid at closing?

The brokerage gets paid at closing. The agent is paid by the brokerage after the money arrives, often once the file passes compliance review.

What is a CDA in real estate?

A commission disbursement authorization. It tells the closer how much commission to pay the brokerage and where to send it.

Can the title company pay the agent directly?

Usually not. Commissions are paid through the agent's broker, and state license law in places like Texas requires it.

Why is my commission check late?

Common reasons are a missing document, a late CDA, numbers that don't match the closing statement, late loan funding or a paper check in the mail.

How can I get my commission faster?

Keep your file complete, get compliance review before closing, send the CDA early and confirm your payment details with your broker.

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Sources and further reading

Updated November 14, 2026. We check these sources each time we update this guide. See our editorial policy.

1. TREC: Can a sales agent receive or pay a commission to a party in a real estate transaction?
2. CFPB: Mortgage Closing Scams: How to protect yourself and your closing funds
3. FBI: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)