If you are a Los Angeles agent seriously evaluating eXp Realty, you have probably already done enough research to know the brokerage model makes sense. The question you are actually trying to answer is not whether eXp is a good fit — it is who you should list as your sponsor when you join. That decision matters more than most agents realize, and this article is going to give you a straight answer.
Your sponsor at eXp Realty is not just a name on paperwork. They are the person responsible for plugging you into the right systems, the right people, and the right habits from day one. A good sponsor accelerates your ramp-up. A bad one is essentially absent. If you are going to make a move to eXp, you want someone who has already figured out how to build volume fast and is willing to share exactly how they did it.
Riley Hextell is that person.
Why Sponsorship at eXp Realty Matters More Than You Think
Most agents who join eXp do so because the financials are compelling: 80/20 commission split that caps at $16,000, stock awards, revenue share from agents you sponsor, and no desk fees eating into your take-home. Those are real advantages. But none of them are sponsor-dependent. What is sponsor-dependent is the mentorship, training cadence, accountability structure, and lead-generation systems you get access to after you join.
eXp's platform, eXp World, gives every agent access to a massive library of training content. The problem is that without a sponsor who curates what actually matters and holds you accountable to implementing it, most of that content just sits there unused. The agents who grow quickly on eXp almost always credit their sponsor and immediate team environment as the differentiating factor.
Who Is Riley Hextell
Riley Hextell is a Chicago-based real estate agent and eXp Realty sponsor who works with agents nationwide. In 2025, he ranked number one at eXp Realty Illinois for total transactions and currently sits in the top 50 out of more than 80,000 agents companywide. He won the 2024 Chicago Association of Realtors Rookie of the Year award. He is also a United States Navy veteran.
Those numbers were not built through a large team doing the heavy lifting. They were built through a reproducible process — lead generation systems, follow-up discipline, and a clear daily structure. That process is exactly what he shares with the agents he sponsors.
You can read more about how he built that track record in his own words in this breakdown of his Rookie of the Year journey.
What You Actually Get Under Riley's Sponsorship
This section is where things get specific, because vague promises about "support" are not useful to a working agent evaluating a brokerage move.
Weekly Training Calls
Riley runs weekly group training calls that are built around what is actually working right now — not generic sales theory. Topics rotate through lead generation, conversion, negotiation, contract strategy, and business planning. These are not passive webinars. There is real interaction, real questions, and real feedback on what agents are doing in the field.
Lead Generation Systems
One of the clearest benefits of joining under Riley is access to the exact lead-gen framework he used to reach the top 50 at eXp in under two years. That includes how he structures his database follow-up, which lead sources produce the highest ROI at different business stages, and how to build a pipeline that does not completely dry up between transactions. For Los Angeles agents who are already generating leads but not converting them consistently, this is often where the biggest immediate gains are.
Direct Mentorship and Accountability
Riley does not hand you off to an assistant after you sign on. He is directly accessible, and he runs accountability structures that keep agents focused on the inputs that actually drive closed deals. That means tracking calls, appointments, and offers — not just gross commission income — because the income follows when the right behaviors are in place.
For agents who have been in the business a few years but feel like they are plateauing, this kind of structured accountability is often the missing piece. It is also one of the things that differentiates a high-output sponsor from someone who collects revenue share without providing anything in return.
Revenue Share Access
When you join eXp under Riley, you are also positioned to build your own revenue share organization. eXp's revenue share model allows you to earn passive income from agents you personally sponsor, and from agents they sponsor, up to seven tiers deep. Riley helps the agents on his team understand how to build that side of the business intentionally — not as a distraction from production, but as a long-term wealth-building layer on top of it. If you have been looking at how other top eXp agents built their sponsorship networks while staying productive, Riley's approach is a practical model worth studying.
eXp's Model Fits Los Angeles Agents Particularly Well
Los Angeles is a market where high-producing independents and boutique brokerage agents often feel like they are leaving money on the table at traditional splits. When you are closing transactions at LA price points, the difference between a 70/30 split with no cap and an 80/20 split that caps at $16,000 annually is substantial. The math alone often makes eXp worth a serious look.
Beyond the commission structure, eXp's cloud-based model removes geographic restrictions. You are not tied to a physical office, and you can work across markets. For agents who do deals in multiple California markets or who have referral relationships outside the state, that flexibility is genuinely useful.
How to Connect with Riley
If you are an LA-based agent ready to have a real conversation about what joining eXp under Riley's sponsorship would look like for your specific situation, reach out directly. Riley works with agents remotely and is responsive to serious inquiries.
Phone: 815-545-7476
Email: [email protected]
Website: rileyhextell.com
He is not going to pitch you. He is going to ask about your current production, your goals, and whether the model is actually the right fit. If it is, he will tell you exactly how to get started and what to expect in the first 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ: Does Riley Hextell sponsor agents outside of Illinois?
Yes. Riley sponsors agents nationwide, including in Los Angeles and across California. He works with agents remotely and provides the same training, mentorship, and accountability systems regardless of where an agent is licensed.
FAQ: What does it cost to join eXp Realty?
eXp charges a $149 startup fee for new agents and an $85 monthly technology fee. There are no desk fees or office overhead costs. The commission split is 80/20 until you cap at $16,000 in company dollar for the year, after which you keep 100 percent of your commission for the remainder of your anniversary year.
FAQ: What if I am already a high producer — is there still value in having a sponsor like Riley?
Yes, and in some ways more so. High producers who join eXp without an engaged sponsor often end up underleveraging the platform. Riley's weekly training and accountability structures are built around agents who are already generating volume but want to scale further, build a revenue share organization, or create more consistency in their business without working more hours.
FAQ: How is Riley's approach to mentorship different from a typical team model?
Riley does not require you to join a traditional team, give up a portion of your commission to a team lead, or work exclusively within a referral network you did not build yourself. His sponsorship model is designed to give you direct support and systems access while preserving your independence as an agent. You keep your clients, your brand, and your split — and you get a sponsor who is actively invested in your growth.