Top Real Estate Franchises for Entrepreneurs

Explore top real estate franchise opportunities ranked by unit growth, investment, and services. Leverage established brands like Nexthome, Corcoran, and Realty One to enter the thriving real estate market with expert support and minimal upfront fees.

Last updated 17 Oct 2024 Time 7 min read
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Introduction

Real Estate franchises are franchises that aim to help you sell, lease, or rent houses or even apartments. Also, real estate franchisors allow you to leverage the reputation and expertise of established companies while benefiting from their support and resources. The franchisor will let you operate under their name and provide you with everything you need to start up in exchange for a specified fee. If you’re looking to venture into the world of real estate and are considering the advantages of franchising, this article is your ultimate guide to the best real estate franchise opportunities ranked by their unit growth.

Best Real Estate Franchise Opportunities

Nexthome

  • Total U.S. Locations: 577
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): 220
  • Initial Investment: $16K-$220K
  • Royalty Fees: None, but there are other fees that you can learn more about in the FDD.

Nexthome was founded in 2011 and they specialize in the sale and leasing of residential and commercial properties as well as other real estate-related activities. You will be allowed to operate under the name of Nexthome offering defined real estate brokerage services from a specified location. Nexthome offers its customers a wide range of services such as buying homes, selling homes, and home financing and mortgage services.

Realty one

  • Total U.S. Locations: 368
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): 181
  • Initial Investment: $43K-$225K
  • Royalty Fees: None, but there are other fees that you can learn more about in the FDD.

Realty One was founded in 2012 and they specialize in assisting clients with buying, selling, and leasing properties. As a real estate franchisee, you will be allowed to operate under the name of Realty One offering defined real estate brokerage services from a specified location.

Corcoran

  • Total U.S. Locations: 105
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): 76
  • Initial Investment: $53K-$541K
  • Royalty Fees: 4%-6%

Corcoran was established in 2015 and started franchising 3 years later in 2019. They will allow you to operate under the name of ‘Corcoran’ offering defined real estate brokerage services from a specified location. Corcoran offers its customers and franchisee a wide range of services like assisting clients with buying, selling, and leasing properties.

Exit

  • Total U.S. Locations: 585
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): 41
  • Initial Investment: $63K-$212K
  • Royalty Fees: 10%

Exit was founded in 1995 and is a franchisor that offers a free consultation to discuss your franchise needs. You will be allowed to operate under the name of ‘Exit’ offering defined real estate brokerage services from a specified location. Exit offers its customers and franchisee a wide range of services like assisting clients with buying, selling, and leasing properties. Albeit net unit growth of 41 units in three years, Exit real estate has closed 200+ units in the past 8 years. Be sure to speak to existing as well as former franchisees when evaluating real estate franchises like Exit.

Sotheby’s International Realty

  • Total U.S. Locations: 688
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): 35
  • Initial Investment: $41K-$497K
  • Royalty Fees: 6%

Sotheby’s International Realty was established in 2004. They offer their franchisees the opportunity to use their name and trademark. This real estate franchise is one of the growing and leading franchises in the world. They sell millions of homes all over the US. they have over 50,000 self-dependent sales associates.

Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate

  • Total U.S. Locations: 396
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): 19
  • Initial Investment: $32K-$260K
  • Royalty Fees: 5% of “Gross Revenue” excluding gross revenue from property management services (check FDD) and certain other revenue, with an annual cap of $6,250.00 per affiliated sales associate.

Better Homes was founded in 2007 and started franchising a year later in 2008. This franchise offers its franchisees the opportunity to use the franchise name and trademark in exchange for a certain fee.

HomeVestors of America

  • Total U.S. Locations: 1147
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): 11
  • Initial Investment: $89K-$456K
  • Royalty Fees: Varies

HomeVestors of America was established in 1996, and it has been one of the largest growing real estate companies with more than 80,000 houses bought since its founding year. As one of the largest franchises in the business, they will provide you with teams that will help you get your franchise up and running.

Coldwell Banker

  • Total U.S. Locations: 131
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): 5
  • Initial Investment: $30K-$497K
  • Royalty Fees: 5%

Coldwell Banker was established in 1981 and has over 30 years of experience in the business. This real estate franchise is one of the growing and leading franchises in the world. They sell million-dollar-plus homes all over the US. In addition, Coldwell Banker has over 90,000 independent sales associates.

Weichert Real Estate

  • Total U.S. Locations: 444
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): 3
  • Initial Investment: $63K-$326K
  • Royalty Fees: 6%

Weichert Real Estate was established in 1969 and they offer franchisees a proven business model, comprehensive training, ongoing operational support, and marketing assistance. You will be allowed to operate under the name of Weichert Real Estate offering defined real estate brokerage services from a specified location. They are a top brokerage company that will provide you with everything needed to start up.

Remax

  • Total U.S. Locations: 214
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): -1
  • Initial Investment: $43K-$240K

Remax was established in 1974 with about 50 years of experience and numerous franchises all over the US and other countries. You will be allowed to operate under the name of “Remax” offering defined real estate brokerage services from a specified location. Remax offers its customers a wide range of services like assisting clients with buying, selling, and leasing properties.

United Real Estate

  • Total U.S. Locations: 89
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): -2
  • Initial Investment: $145K-$386K
  • Royalty Fees: None, but there are other fees that you can learn more about in the FDD.

United Real Estate was founded in 2015 and is one of the best brokerage real estate franchisors in the business. You will be allowed to operate under the name of United Real Estate, offering defined real estate brokerage services from a specified location. United Real Estate offers its customers and franchisee a wide range of services like assisting clients with buying, selling, and leasing properties.

ERA Real Estate

  • Total U.S. Locations: 470
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): -12
  • Initial Investment: $27K-$435K
  • Royalty Fees: 6%

ERA Real Estate was founded in 1996 and is one of the best brokerage real estate franchises in the business. You will be allowed to operate under the name of ERA offering defined real estate brokerage services from a specified location. ERA Real Estate offers its customers a wide range of services such as buying homes, selling homes, and home financing and mortgage services.

K.O.A

  • Total U.S. Locations: 472
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): -28
  • Initial Investment: $106K-$15.17M
  • Royalty Fees: 8%

K.O.A is a real estate franchise that permits you to work using its trademark and logo for a specified fee. KOA offers its customers the best possible service there is and tries to keep that quality at all times. Some of the services they offer are camping facilities and services to the camping public. KOA is primarily stated in the US with numerous locations or franchises all across the country.

Keller Williams Realty

  • Total U.S. Locations: 826
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): -39
  • Initial Investment: $182K-$336K
  • Royalty Fees: 6%

Keller Williams Realty was founded in 1994 and is one of the best brokerage real estate franchises in the business. Keller Williams Realty offers its customers a wide range of services. Some of these services are for home buyers, home sellers, and relocation. On the other hand, they provide their franchisees with a skilled team to help them run the business and anything else needed to have a strong start in the business.

Century 21

  • Total U.S. Locations: 1870
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): -219
  • Initial Investment: $25K-$459K
  • Royalty Fees: 6%

Century 21 was established in 1979 and has a great reputation in the real estate franchise field. You will be allowed to operate under the name of Century 21 offering defined real estate brokerage services from a specified location. They are a top brokerage company that will provide you with everything needed to start up.

Conclusion

The world of real estate franchising offers many opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. Throughout this article, we have explored some of the top real estate franchise opportunities ranked by their unit growth. We also mentioned other factors that would help you make a decision including their total U.S. locations and initial investment. At the end of the day, you should choose which franchise to invest in depending on your specific needs and requirements.

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