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.
Re/Max is one of the most recognized real estate brands in the world, with more than 140,000 agents across 9,000+ offices in 110 countries. Founded in Denver in 1973, Re/Max pioneered the high-commission split model for real estate agents — agents keep a larger share of their commissions in exchange for paying a monthly desk fee to the broker. This model attracts high-producing agents who prefer to keep more of each transaction. The Re/Max franchise model is a broker-office franchise: the franchisee opens and operates a real estate brokerage, recruits and retains agents, and earns from the monthly desk fees those agents pay. This guide is for prospective Re/Max franchisees at the capital planning stage — specifically, operators opening a broker office, not individual real estate agents joining an existing Re/Max office.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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:
At $40K–$240K, SBA 7(a) is the standard path. For smaller projects ($40K–$100K), SBA microloans are a cost-efficient alternative with lower origination burden. The broker-license requirement means lenders also evaluate key-person risk — if the licensed broker is the sole operator, life and disability coverage is frequently required as a loan condition to protect the SBA guarantee.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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 7, Subpart B, Chapter 4.