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What You’re Really Paying for When You Invest in a Real Estate Franchise

— Rich Casamento


When you’re considering purchasing a real estate franchise, brokers inevitably focus on the costs of the investment trying to understand if gains made by the relationship will ultimately outpace costs of the relationship. While each franchise is different, here are some of the key things you should expect from a real estate company offering a franchise opportunity.

  • Brand Recognition: National real estate brands all have varying degrees of name recognition among consumers. Much of this depends on the area of the country you live in. While some level of name recognition in your area is good, equally important is that people perceive that you are part of a larger national organization. They may further understand that a large national real estate company has resources to offer that many independents may not. For instance, Weichert has nearly 500 corporate and affiliate offices in over 39 states, giving franchisees considerable brand reach to leverage in most areas of the country. Equally important however are the assets that Weichert offers you to build brand in your local area. If you still wonder just how transformative a good brand can be for your business, try speaking to a few franchisees about their experience.
  • Lead Generation: Some real estate franchises offer you little more than their names. Look for a franchise that not only has an excellent brand, but supports it with a proven system that puts you in contact with buyers and sellers in your local market. A bonus if it also has referral resources across the country and around the globe. Your ability to derive additional sales from such a system, is one of the key considerations in determining how much you can grow your brokerage under a franchise model.
  • A Franchise Should Give you A Blueprint for Growth: The best real estate franchises will offer a proven system for success and sophisticated tools, training and people that support it. This means the system and its steps are a tested recipe, which you can plug into and follow. Make sure the system has a track record of broker success stories and that you can talk to them about their experience.
  • Ongoing Support: Too many real estate franchises, start with a flurry of activity, but then leave you alone in the woods to find your way on your own. You need to be sure that any training and tools you receive are actively supported by both digital and human resources. For instance, Weichert Franchise Brokers and their agents are exposed to comprehensive, systematic training on the Weichert processes and systems as part of our onboarding program. They have 24/7 access to “Weichert University” our online e-learning portal and our resource centers filled with sales and marketing tools. Plus, they have access to expert, experienced support, through regional business coaches, corporate training, marketing and technical expertise, as well as best practices derived from our own brokerage business and an active network of peers who aren’t shy about giving you the skinny on things. When looking at franchises to invest in, make sure the one you choose offers this type of proactive, energetic support in all areas to help you build your real estate brokerage.

With the Right Partner, Franchising Benefits Quickly Outpace Costs 

It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers when you’re looking at a franchise opportunity, but it’s important to never lose sight of what each franchise is really offering you in return for your hard-earned money. Pay close attention to the totality of each brands’ offering and remember that what’s cheapest isn’t always the best deal – the returns on your investment and the scope of training and support that is offered are what really counts.

At Weichert, we believe in the power of the handshake, supported by advanced technology and proven processes. With Weichert you have both digital assets and expert real estate professionals that provide you training and coach you through your specific challenges every step of the way. If this sounds like a good fit for your business, we’re happy to chat with you in more detail visit https://www.weichertfranchise.com for more information.

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