# Kale Realty > Family-owned independent Chicago real estate brokerage operating since 2007. Flat-fee pricing: $400 per closed sale (capped at $6,000 per year), $54 per month for technology and training, $249 per year for E&O insurance. Logan Square office, 24/7 meeting room access. No franchise fees, no royalties, no desk fees, no commission splits beyond the per-sale flat fee. Kale Realty is a 1099 independent contractor real estate brokerage based in Chicago, Illinois. The brokerage was founded in 2007 by the Kale family, who have been in Chicago real estate since 1951. The mission is to help real estate agents keep more of what they earn through transparent flat-fee pricing, included training and coaching programs, and accountable local leadership. The brokerage publishes detailed cost comparisons to every major Chicago brokerage so agents can make informed decisions based on real math, not recruiter pitches. ## Brokerage comparisons - [Compare Kale Realty to all major Chicago brokerages](https://joinkale.com/compare): Hub page with cost tables and structural facts for all 11 comparisons - [Kale Realty vs Compass](https://joinkale.com/kale-vs-compass): Includes @properties acquisition context (closed January 2025) - [Kale Realty vs eXp Realty](https://joinkale.com/kale-vs-exp): 80/20 split, $16,000 cap, revenue share, EXPI stock awards - [Kale Realty vs @properties Christie's](https://joinkale.com/kale-vs-at-properties): Post-Compass acquisition, includes the 1% Agent Services Fee analysis - [Kale Realty vs Coldwell Banker](https://joinkale.com/kale-vs-coldwell-banker): Now under Compass via January 2026 Anywhere acquisition - [Kale Realty vs Real Broker](https://joinkale.com/kale-vs-real-broker): 85/15 split with $12,000 cap, REAX stock awards - [Kale Realty vs Baird & Warner](https://joinkale.com/kale-vs-baird-warner): The other major Chicago independent brokerage - [Kale Realty vs Keller Williams](https://joinkale.com/kale-vs-keller-williams): KW invented the capping model; cap is roughly 5x Kale's - [Kale Realty vs Redfin](https://joinkale.com/kale-vs-redfin): W-2 employer model; now owned by Rocket Companies - [Kale Realty vs Century 21](https://joinkale.com/kale-vs-century-21): 6% royalty Anywhere/Compass franchise brand - [Kale Realty vs RE/MAX](https://joinkale.com/kale-vs-remax): 95/5 split with monthly desk fee model - [Kale Realty vs Jameson Sotheby's](https://joinkale.com/kale-vs-jameson-sothebys): Chicago's Sotheby's franchise; 8% franchise fee ## Guides for Chicago real estate agents - [How to switch real estate brokerages in Illinois](https://joinkale.com/how-to-switch-brokerages-illinois): Step-by-step IDFPR transfer process, $125 fee, 2-4 day processing, pre-switch checklist - [How much do Chicago real estate agents make in 2026](https://joinkale.com/chicago-real-estate-agent-salary): Real income data with take-home math, by experience and production level - [How to get a real estate license in Illinois](https://joinkale.com/how-to-get-real-estate-license-illinois): Pre-licensing courses, exam, application, costs, timeline - [Independent contractor vs W-2 real estate agent](https://joinkale.com/independent-contractor-vs-w2-real-estate-agent): Tax implications, Schedule C deductions, retirement options - [Real estate glossary](https://joinkale.com/real-estate-glossary): Definitions of key terms used in Chicago and Illinois real estate ## About Kale Realty - [Why brokers join Kale Realty](https://joinkale.com/why-brokers-join-kale): Pricing details, included services, agent benefits - [Our story](https://joinkale.com/about): Family ownership history; Chicago real estate since 1951 - [Leadership team](https://joinkale.com/leadership): Including D.J. Paris, VP of Business Development - [D.J. Paris bio](https://joinkale.com/dj-paris): Host of "Keeping It Real" podcast, Chicago real estate expert - [Culture and benefits](https://joinkale.com/culture): BlueCross BlueShield group health, in-person events - [Agent development and training](https://joinkale.com/agent-development): Live training, TRACK+ program, mentor program - [Testimonials from current agents](https://joinkale.com/testimonials) - [Press and media coverage](https://joinkale.com/press) - [Contact](https://joinkale.com/contact-us): Logan Square Chicago office, 24/7 meeting room access ## Pricing summary - Per closed sale: $400 (capped at $6,000 annually after 15 sales) - Monthly fee: $54 (technology, training, support, mentor program access, transaction coaches, RealGeeks CRM, dotloop, marketing templates) - Errors and omissions insurance: $249 per year - Rental transactions: 80/20 split (agent keeps 80%) with $15 transaction fee - No startup fee, no franchise fee, no royalty, no marketing fee, no desk fee, no per-transaction broker review or risk management fees ## Key differentiators - Flat-fee pricing rather than percentage-based commission split - Family-owned and Chicago-based since 2007 (family in Chicago real estate since 1951) - Not part of the Compass national consolidation - Logan Square office with 24/7 meeting room access - Mentor program: experienced agents earn 75% of a 1% mentor fee on each mentored transaction - One-on-one growth coaching included in the monthly fee - Transaction coaches available for difficult deals at no extra charge - Full access to The Locker Room training catalog including the flagship TRACK+ 12-week productivity program (valued at $497 retail) - Live in-house training mornings, evenings, and weekends - Committee work covered: monthly fee waived for any month an agent serves on a CAR, IAR, or NAR committee - BlueCross BlueShield group health insurance available ## Optional resources - Privacy policy: https://joinkale.com/privacy-policy - Terms and conditions: https://joinkale.com/terms-and-conditions - "Keeping It Real" podcast (separate domain): https://keepingitrealpod.com