Bookkeeping for realtors and real estate agents

Why bookkeeping for realtors is different

As a realtor you run a business, even if you work under a brokerage. Your income comes in as commission checks that can be weeks or months apart, often after a split with your broker and a handful of fees. Your expenses (listing photos, signs, MLS and association dues, license renewals, your car, your phone, your CRM) run every month whether a deal closed or not. And because most agents are self-employed, nobody is holding back money for taxes on your behalf.

Generic bookkeeping misses the details that matter here: recording the gross commission and the split instead of just the net deposit, separating reimbursements from income, and keeping a mileage record you can rely on. When the books slip, you find out at tax time, with a shoebox of receipts and no clear picture of what you actually earned. We keep the books current all year so tax time is a handoff, not a scramble.

Bookkeeping services for real estate agents

Commission income and brokerage splits

We match each commission deposit to its closing and record the full picture: gross commission, your brokerage split, transaction or franchise fees, referral fees paid or received, and the net that hit your account. At year-end we compare those records to the 1099 forms you receive, so you and your tax preparer are not guessing which deposit was which deal.

Tracking business expenses by category

Every business transaction is categorized the way real estate agents actually spend: marketing and advertising, listing photography and staging, signs and lockboxes, MLS and association dues, licensing and continuing education, vehicle and mileage, phone and technology, client gifts, and office or desk fees. Your CPA decides what is deductible; we make sure nothing gets lost and every category is ready for that conversation.

Separating personal and business accounts

Running everything through one checking account and one credit card is the most common bookkeeping problem we see with agents. We help you set up a clean separation, sort past transactions, and flag anything that needs your call, so your business numbers mean something.

Irregular cash flow and setting money aside for taxes

A big month can feel like a raise until the slow months arrive. We give you a clear view of what came in, what went out, and what is already spoken for. Your tax preparer tells you how much to set aside and when to pay estimated taxes; we track what you have reserved and paid so you can see whether you are on track.

Monthly reconciliations and profit & loss

Each month we reconcile your business bank and credit card accounts and send you a profit and loss statement. You will see your real income after splits and expenses, what each marketing channel costs, and how this year compares to last. Those are the numbers you need to set a budget and a production goal.

A clean year-end file for your CPA

At year-end we package reconciled statements, categorized expense totals, your commission detail, and open questions into one organized file for your CPA or tax preparer, and we answer their questions about the numbers directly.