When you think of the word “franchising,” real estate probably is not the first thing to come to mind. But perhaps it should be! Of the top 30 fastest growing franchise opportunities as ranked by Entrepreneur.com, four are real estate business franchises, and no fewer than thirty realty franchise opportunities are available for the interested entrepreneur.
What makes real estate franchises even more appealing is the dynamic and exciting nature of the housing market. Imagine being able to earn significant income while helping others find that all-important place to hang their hats? Or facilitating the renovation a homeowner has wanted for so long.
And if you’re thinking that purchasing a franchise in such a lucrative industry as real estate will surely prove too costly, think again. Contrary to a popular misconception regarding franchises, several real estate franchise opportunities are available at a startup cost that promises not to break your budget. Indeed, capitalizing on the unlimited potential of this market can be as simple as doing a bit of research to determine which real estate franchise is right for you and then diving right in!
To help you choose a real estate business franchise that is right for you, the following will provide a head-start look at several real estate franchise opportunities, both from established corporations and newer companies. These franchises cover a wide variety of real estate services including property management, real estate advertising sales, and general home sales. In addition, startup costs for these opportunities range from low- to mid-level.
Real Estate Franchises
Real estate franchise opportunities vary from general to niche. While this directory lists only a few of the many real estate franchise opportunities, it provides a sampling of the options available to real estate entrepreneurs.
1) Real Property Management
Real Property Management has been in business for over 20 years and offers support ranging from training and software packages to business cards and marketing brochures. Capitalizing on the growing property management industry, this franchise carries a startup cost of between $20,000 and $30,000.
2) HomeLife Realty Services, Inc.
Catering to licensed real estate brokers or agents only, HomeLife Realty Services provides an opportunity for franchisees to join an established and patented real estate system. HomeLife Realty requires liquid capital of $50,000 – $100,000 and a total capital investment of $50,000. For a franchise fee of $15,000 and a low monthly flat fee of $299 for the principal broker and just $115 for each additional full-time associate, HomeLife Realty Services provides national advertising and access to its 5 Star Marketing System. In addition, franchisees reap the benefit of professional training, support services, and technical services.
3) Home & Lands Magazine
Established in 1973, Home & Lands has been in business for over 30 years. This network of over 330 magazines boasts an annual production of approximately 62 million magazines that cover thousands of communities in the United States and Canada. Home & Lands franchisees receive individual, non-overlapping territories in which to sell advertisements to real estate professionals. With a $50,000 minimum liquid capital requirement and a net worth requirement of $150,000, Home & Lands Magazine is an option for those looking for a low-to-mid investment level franchise. Providing the benefit of extensive training, Home & Lands offers opportunities both for those with prior real estate experience and for those without any prior industry experience.
4) Direct Build Construction Consulting Franchise
If homebuilding is your passion, then Direct Build Construction Consulting Franchise may be the perfect choice for you. This unique niche industry opportunity provides construction consulting services to individuals who want to serve as their own general contractor. Established in 2005, Direct Build Construction Consulting offers franchisees several support services including marketing & advertising, customized software, operations/systems training, sales training & assistance, operation manual, and owner-builder manual. With a startup investment of $75,000 to $150,000 and a liquid capital requirement of $150,000, Direct Build Construction qualifies a potential franchisee candidate as someone who either has a “proven track record of homebuilding experience as a general contractor or similar construction ownership or managerial experience,” or who are is an “entrepreneurial business person who enjoys operating a service business and is knowledgeable in marketing and sales.”
5) Sell4Free Real Estate
Established in 1996, Sell4Free Real Estate is a full-service real estate company in which Sell4Free agents waive the listing fee with the stipulation that the homeowner will purchase another home. If the homeowner does not purchase another home, then the Sell4Free agent and the homeowner negotiate a commission for the agent. Sell4Free is a privately held company that currently operates in 10 states and has over 20 franchises. And with a startup fee that can be as low as $30,000 to $40,000 Sell4Free Real Estate is a great option for entrepreneurs looking for a low-cost real estate franchise.
These five companies represent just a fraction of the more than thirty real estate franchise opportunities available to the interested entrepreneur. Whether your budget is large or small and whether your interest is buying, selling, repairs, or development, chances are there is a real estate business franchise opportunity that is a right for you!