Century 21 startup costs run $19K–$496K — one of the widest investment ranges in real estate franchising, accommodating small-market boutique offices and large production brokerages alike. A globally recognized brand owned by Anywhere Real Estate with more than 140,000 agents worldwide.
Century 21 is one of the most recognized residential real estate brand names in the world, founded in 1971 in Orange County, California, and now operating more than 11,000 offices with 140,000+ agents across more than 80 countries. The brand is owned by Anywhere Real Estate (formerly Realogy), alongside Coldwell Banker, ERA, Sotheby's International Realty, and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. The $19K–$496K total investment range is one of the widest in real estate franchising — the low floor reflects the Century 21 conversion program, which allows existing independent brokerages to convert to the brand with reduced or waived franchise fees.
Century 21 franchisees operate independent real estate brokerages under the Century 21 brand. The franchisor provides brand licensing, the CENTURY 21 LearnCenter training platform, proprietary technology tools, national advertising support (funded through the 2% advertising contribution), and the global referral network — particularly valuable for franchisees in markets with strong relocation activity or international buyer demand. Century 21 is known for its distinctive gold branding, which carries broad consumer recognition across both domestic and international buyer and seller markets. The brand's conversion program is a meaningful differentiator: established independent brokerages converting to Century 21 can benefit from reduced entry costs while gaining brand recognition, technology infrastructure, and referral network access.
Per Century 21's current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), required under the FTC Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436), total estimated initial investment runs $19,000–$496,000. Key cost categories include:
Century 21 charges an ongoing royalty of 6% of gross commission income and an advertising fund contribution of 2% of gross commission income as disclosed in the FDD. The combined 8% of GCI ongoing cost is a key underwriting consideration — franchisees need sufficient transaction volume to sustain operations after royalty, advertising, and operating cost obligations. Review the current FDD for complete fee schedules and any minimum royalty provisions.
Century 21 is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan eligibility. Common financing paths include:
Century 21 franchise economics are transaction-volume driven — revenue depends on agent count, agent production, and local market activity. Converting brokerages that bring an existing agent roster and client base to the Century 21 brand can generate commission revenue from day one, making the conversion path significantly faster to ROI than a greenfield startup. Greenfield offices typically reach cash-flow positive within 18–36 months as the agent team builds. The Century 21 brand's global referral network provides incremental revenue opportunities — particularly in coastal markets, retirement destinations, and metros with significant international buyer activity.
Century 21 is well suited for two distinct operator profiles: licensed brokers launching a new office who want established brand recognition from day one, and existing independent brokerage owners seeking brand affiliation to improve recruiting, technology access, and referral volume without rebuilding from scratch. The conversion path (reduced/waived franchise fee, existing space and staff) provides a uniquely low-friction entry for the second group. Strong local market knowledge, broker licensing, and a proven ability to recruit and retain producing agents are the primary success factors for both profiles.
Real estate brokerage franchises have a unique SBA underwriting profile — commission income is variable, agent-count-driven, and market-cycle-sensitive. Lenders evaluate Century 21 applications with these factors in mind:
When you apply at Find my match, your file routes to one matched SBA lender experienced with real estate brokerage franchises. We do not auction your application across multiple lenders. One file, one lender match, one process.
ClearValue Lending works with real estate brokerage franchise operators on SBA and commercial financing for startup, conversion, and expansion. Apply at Find my match. Your file routes to one matched lender.
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs $19,000–$496,000. The franchise fee ranges from $0 to $25,000 — conversion programs for existing independent brokerages may waive or reduce the initial fee. The wide range reflects variation in market size, office scale, and whether the operator is launching new or converting an existing brokerage.
Century 21 charges a 6% royalty on gross commission income plus a 2% advertising fund contribution — a combined 8% of GCI. These fees apply at the brokerage level; individual agent commission splits are managed independently by the franchisee.
Century 21 offers a conversion program that allows existing independent brokerages to affiliate with the Century 21 brand. Conversion franchisees may receive reduced or waived initial franchise fees, and they retain their existing office, staff, and agent teams — significantly reducing the startup investment compared to opening a new office from scratch.
Yes. Century 21 is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory. SBA 7(a) lenders can process applications for both new Century 21 offices and conversion programs under the streamlined franchise eligibility process.
SBA lenders require a minimum 1.15× DSCR per SBA SOP 50 10 7; real estate brokerage applications often face 1.25× targets given the variability of commission income. For conversions, historical 12-month GCI data from the existing brokerage satisfies the DSCR calculation. For greenfield startups, lenders require a detailed agent recruitment and production pro forma — typically reviewed conservatively using local MLS median commission data rather than franchisor Item 19 averages.
For Century 21 conversion programs at the $19K–$100K investment level, SBA Express (loans up to $500K, 36-hour turnaround, no required collateral below $50K) is often the most efficient structure. The reduced investment basis — especially when the franchise fee is waived for conversions — means the loan amount is small enough for SBA Express processing, which moves significantly faster than a standard 7(a) application.