Re/Max franchise startup costs run $40K–$240K for a broker office — one of the most recognized real estate brands globally, with a flat-fee-per-agent structure that creates cost-efficient scaling as you recruit agents.
Remax franchise costs at a glance
Total investment
$40,000–$240,000
Franchise fee
$15,000–$35,000
Source: Remax Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) · as of 2026-07-26. Figures vary by market and site; verify against the current FDD before signing.
Key takeaways
Total estimated startup cost: $40K–$240K (real estate broker office)
Franchise fee: $15,000–$35,000 (varies by region and market)
Ongoing fees: flat monthly fee per agent (structure varies — not a %-of-commission royalty in the traditional sense)
Broker licensure required: the principal franchisee must hold a state real estate broker license
Net worth: varies by region. Lower-capital entry than restaurant or fitness franchises — office space and technology are the primary costs.
Per Re/Max's current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs approximately $40K–$240K for a new broker office. The wide range reflects real estate market differences across regions — office space costs vary dramatically between major metros and secondary markets. Major cost categories include:
Franchise fee: $15,000–$35,000 (varies by region)
Office space (lease, build-out, furnishings): $10K–$80K
Signage and branding (Re/Max balloon logo signage, yard signs, marketing materials): $5K–$20K
Initial marketing and recruiting: $5K–$25K
E&O (errors and omissions) insurance and general liability: $5K–$20K
Training and pre-opening preparation: $3K–$15K
Working capital reserve (broker overhead before agent recruitment reaches breakeven): $10K–$50K
2 Ongoing fees and revenue model
Re/Max's ongoing fee structure is distinct from traditional franchise royalties. Rather than charging a percentage of gross sales (commission revenue), Re/Max typically charges a flat monthly fee per agent — the specific structure (fixed desk fee, management fee, or combination) varies by regional franchise agreement and should be confirmed in the current FDD for the target region. The broker's primary revenue comes from monthly fees paid by agents in the office, rather than from splitting agent commissions. This creates a scalable model: each additional recruited agent adds incremental recurring fee revenue to the broker with limited incremental cost.
3 Licensing requirements
Re/Max requires the principal franchisee to hold an active state real estate broker license — not a salesperson license. Broker licensing requirements vary by state but generally require several years of active real estate sales experience plus passage of a state broker exam. This is a hard prerequisite: a Re/Max franchise application will not be approved without evidence of broker licensure (or a clear path to obtaining it). For candidates who hold only a salesperson license, the path to a Re/Max franchise requires first completing broker licensing requirements, which typically involves additional experience years and an exam.
4 Financing options for Re/Max franchisees
Re/Max is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan processing. At $40K–$240K, this is one of the lower capital requirements in the franchise universe. For projects under $100K, the SBA Microloan Program (up to $50K) may be sufficient. Key financing options include:
SBA 7(a) loan: Covers franchise fee, leasehold improvements, technology, and working capital. The $40K–$240K range is well within SBA 7(a) deal sizes, including for smaller loan structures.
SBA microloan: For lower-end projects under $100K, SBA microloans (up to $50K) can cover a meaningful share of startup costs.
Working capital line of credit: A revolving facility for managing operating overhead during the agent-recruitment ramp period before monthly fee revenue reaches breakeven.
ROBS (Rollover for Business Startups): Eligible franchisees may use retirement account funds as equity injection without early withdrawal penalties.
Section 179 deduction: Qualifying office equipment and technology placed in service during the tax year may be immediately expensed.
5 What lenders look for in a Re/Max franchise application
Re/Max is on the SBA Franchise Directory. The real estate broker-office model has a different underwriting profile than restaurant or service franchises — income is derived from recurring monthly desk fees paid by agents, not direct product or service revenue. Key underwriting factors lenders evaluate:
Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR): Pro forma is driven by projected agent count × monthly desk fee. Lenders require a credible agent recruitment plan supported by market data on transaction volume and active agent count in the territory. DSCR of 1.25×+ is required against fully-amortizing debt service; the 6–12 month ramp to minimum viable agent headcount is the primary year-one DSCR risk.
Equity injection 10–15%: At $40K–$240K, SBA equity injection requirements equate to $4K–$36K in documented borrower funds — lower in absolute dollar terms than most franchise categories at this investment level.
Active broker license — hard prerequisite: The principal franchisee or a named key-person must hold an active state real estate broker license. Proof of licensure is required at application; lenders will not underwrite a Re/Max franchise application without it. Broker license requirements vary by state but generally require multiple years of active sales experience.
Real estate market analysis: Lenders evaluate the target market's existing brokerage competitive density, transaction volume trends, and agent attrition rates to assess the plausibility of the agent-recruitment pro forma.
Key-person coverage: Because broker-license is a single-operator dependency, lenders frequently require life and disability insurance on the licensed broker as a loan condition — especially for projects where the franchisee is the sole licensed principal.
6 Apply at ClearValue Lending
ClearValue Lending works with real estate broker franchise operators from first-office opens to multi-office expansion. Start at small business financing or apply at Find my match. Your file routes to the funding partners best matched to your file. Use our business loan calculator to estimate monthly payments.
Sources
Re/Max is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan eligibility. — SBA Franchise Directory
SBA 7(a) loans finance franchise startups including leasehold improvements, technology, and working capital. — SBA 7(a) Loan Program
Qualifying office equipment and technology placed in service during the tax year may be immediately expensed under IRS Section 179. — IRS Publication 946
The SBA Microloan Program provides up to $50,000 through SBA intermediary lenders — particularly relevant for lower-investment franchise startups like a Re/Max broker office at the lower end of the $40K–$240K range. — SBA Microloan Program
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Re/Max franchise cost in 2026?
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs $40K–$240K for a broker office. Office space cost in the target market is the primary variable — metro locations are at the higher end, secondary markets at the lower end.
Do I need a real estate license to own a Re/Max franchise?
Yes — and specifically a broker license, not a salesperson license. State real estate broker licensing requirements vary but generally require several years of active sales experience plus a broker exam. This is a hard prerequisite for franchise approval.
How does Re/Max make money versus traditional real estate brokerages?
Traditional brokerages split commissions with agents (e.g., 70% agent / 30% broker). Re/Max pioneered the flat desk-fee model: agents keep most or all of their commissions and instead pay the broker a fixed monthly fee. The broker's income comes from agent fees rather than commission splits, creating a more predictable recurring revenue model as agent count grows.
Is a Re/Max franchise a good investment for a real estate agent?
A Re/Max franchise is specifically a broker-office model — it's appropriate for licensed brokers who want to operate a brokerage and recruit agents, not for individual agents looking to transact real estate under a brand flag. An individual agent joining an existing Re/Max office is not a franchisee.
Can I use SBA financing for a Re/Max franchise?
Yes. Re/Max is on the SBA Franchise Directory. At $40K–$240K, SBA 7(a) is the standard path. For smaller projects, SBA microloans can be a cost-efficient alternative.
What DSCR do lenders require for a Re/Max franchise SBA loan?
SBA guidelines set a minimum DSCR of 1.15× — the business must generate $1.15 in cash flow for every $1.00 in annual debt service. For a Re/Max broker-office franchise, DSCR is projected on the basis of agent count × monthly desk fee. Lenders require a credible agent recruitment plan supported by market data; year-one projections should reflect a realistic 6–12 month ramp to minimum viable agent headcount rather than peak-year assumptions. Source: SBA Standard Operating Procedure 50 10 7 (sba.gov).
How much equity injection do I need for a Re/Max franchise SBA loan?
SBA requires a minimum 10% equity injection of total project cost. At Re/Max's $40K–$240K investment range, that equates to $4K–$36K in documented borrower funds — among the lowest absolute equity requirements in franchising. Working capital for the pre-revenue office setup period (technology, lease deposits, marketing) is the primary use of that equity alongside any financing gap. Equity can come from personal savings or ROBS. Borrowed equity is generally not acceptable without SBA approval. Source: SBA SOP 50 10 8, Subpart B, Chapter 4.
Summary:
Re/Max franchise startup costs run $40K–$240K for a broker office — one of the most recognized real estate brands globally, with a flat-fee-per-agent structure that creates cost-efficient scaling as you recruit agents.
This article is for educational purposes and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Rates,
fees, qualification requirements, and product availability are illustrative ranges that vary
by lender, market conditions, and individual business profile. ClearValue Lending is a
funding platform; all financing is subject to lender partner approval and terms. Always read
your contract end-to-end and verify specific numbers before signing.
