FAQ's

General Questions:

  1. If I were to purchase a REALTY WORLD® Franchise, what benefits would I expect to receive?
  2. How much will it cost to purchase a REALTY WORLD® Franchise?
  3. What makes a REALTY WORLD® Franchise different from other franchises?
  4. How much flexibility do I have in terms of running my business?
  5. Does Realty World require me to use a specific formula of fees to charge my customers?
  6. How does the application process work?
  7. If my application is approved, am I under any obligation to purchase the franchise?
  8. What is Realty World looking for in a Broker and brokerage in order to get approved?
  9. What are Realty World’s office size requirements?
  10. How many agents am I required to recruit and maintain in my company?
  11. Does Realty World have commission structure formulas that I must follow with respects to agent compensation?
  12. Are there any guarantees relative to increased business or my success?
  13. Am I required to purchase products like signs, business cards, marketing material, software, computers, etc. from Realty World?
  14. Am I required to have Errors & Omissions Insurance and, if so, how much does it cost?
  15. Do I have to use one of your Error & Omission vendors?
  16. I have noticed that there are Realty World offices in my city; is there room for me join?
  17. Am I limited to service a specific geographic location?
  18. I have been told by other franchises that new franchisees are required to attend some kind of an orientation that runs 3 to 5 days and requires travel. What are Realty World’s orientation requirements?
  19. Do you provide leads to your franchisees and if so what does Realty World charge for each lead?
  20. Do you provide recruiting material?
  21. Are there any advertising benefits that I would receive?
  22. What types of training does Realty World offer its franchisees and what are the costs?
  23. Can I own my own mortgage company and does Realty World charge me any fees that are connected with my mortgage operation?
  24. If my agents or I need good functional websites, does Realty World have resources and/or vendors that can help me?
  25. If I decide to open branch offices, are there any charges?
  26. Does Realty World offer award programs?
  27. Is there an annual convention that brokers and agents can attend? If so, how much are the registration fees?
  28. What would be the next step?

If I were to purchase a REALTY WORLD® Franchise, what benefits would I expect to receive?

The benefits and services Realty World offers to franchisees and their agents are, quite frankly, too extensive to list in this section. However, a few of the major benefits are:

  • The licensing rights to our federally registered 33-year internationally recognized brand name
  • The use of our exclusive recruiting resources and services
  • Various online and in-person training programs 
  • Access for you and your agents to our extensive technology systems, which include custom websites (agent and office), reporting systems, a marketing design center, paperless technologies, etc.

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How much will it cost to purchase a REALTY WORLD® Franchise?

Please see the “ Cost Structure ” section of this web site for the specifics.

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What makes a REALTY WORLD® Franchise different from other franchises?

Numerous differences set us completely apart from other franchises:

  • Realty World’s franchise fee structure is the LEAST EXPENSIVE available for a nationally branded real estate franchise.
  • 95% of the control in your business remains in your hands, not ours.
  • We are a privately owned and family operated company. In other words, the customers we serve are our franchisees, not Wall Street investors or shareholders.
  • We conduct our regional operations in the markets we serve, not in some out of state location.
  • We do not compete with our franchisees. Realty World does not own and operate Corporate-owned real estate offices and does not employ licensed real estate agents. Therefore, unlike many real estate franchises, Realty World does not conflict with the interests of our franchisees.

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How much flexibility do I have in terms of running my business?

You are in 95% control of your business! This simply means that you run your business the way you see fit, without interference from Realty World.

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Does Realty World require me to use a specific formula of fees to charge my customers?

You, and you alone, will set the fees and fee structures for your company.

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How does the application process work?

You simply download the application from this website, complete it on your computer, print it out, sign it, and fax it to us. The application will take you approximately 25 to 40 minutes to complete. Once we are in receipt of your application, we will render a formal decision... in most circumstances, in three business days.

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If my application is approved, am I under any obligation to purchase the franchise?

No, you are under no obligation to purchase a franchise after you’ve been approved. Please be apprised that the formal approval rendered by Realty World will expire 30 days from issuance. After the 30-day approval period, resubmission of the franchise application may be necessary.

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What is Realty World looking for in a broker and brokerage in order to get approved?

We assess each application on a case by case basis. We consider an applicant’s experience level in the real estate business, their record with the Department of Real Estate, their credit, and how they would fit into our family-oriented culture. Office size, office location, and number of agents are generally irrelevant to our decision.

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What are Realty World’s office size requirements?

Once again, the franchisee is in 95% control; therefore, the franchisee decides the size of his/her office. A quality broker that chooses to operate from a home office without agents can be approved.

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How many agents am I required to recruit and maintain in my company?

That decision is completely up to the franchisee.

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Does Realty World have commission structure formulas that I must follow with respects to agent compensation?

Commission formulas on agent compensation are completely up to the franchisee.

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Are there any guarantees relative to increased business or my success?

No, there are no guarantees in this or any other franchise. However, the franchisees that get tremendous rewards and benefits from their Realty World franchise are those that take advantage of the resources.

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Am I required to purchase products like signs, business cards, marketing material, software, computers, etc. from Realty World?

We provide our members with more than 90% of all the approved vendors needed to run and operate a successful real estate office or individual real estate practice. We recommend that our members use our vendors simply because it is much easier and usually less expensive than not doing so. However, if you wish to use a vendor that is not approved, you are welcome to do so, providing the quality of the material and use of the Realty World Trademarks meet our high standards.

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Am I required to have Errors & Omissions Insurance and, if so, how much does it cost?

Errors & Omissions insurance is a requirement of our franchise agreement and is typical for every real estate franchise. We are unable to quote fees, but our vendors can upon submission of an E&O application. Approximately 90% of our franchisees use one of our preferred E&O vendors and many tell us they have saved more money with us than with previous carriers.

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Do I have to use one of your Error & Omission vendors?

We have several approved E&O vendors that our members choose to use; however, you can use any reputable company you wish.

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I have noticed that there are Realty World offices in my city: is there room for me to join?

Depending on your office location, the answer is more than likely yes.

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Am I limited to service a specific geographic location?

The only limitations are those issued by the Department of Real Estate. For instance, if you have a California Brokers license you can sell real estate and recruit agents anywhere within the state of California.

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What are Realty World’s orientation requirements?

Our franchise agreement requires that a new franchisee attend our “WorldStart Orientation” within three months of signing their agreement. Our orientations are locally conducted, three hour instructor-led classes that are very fast paced and coupled with online classes that expand on the topics covered at the orientation. The online classes can be seen anytime, anywhere at our franchisee’s option. In this fashion, we are able to save our franchisees a tremendous amount of time and money, and still get the desired effect.

Approximately half of our new franchisees enjoy attending the “WorldStart Orientation” prior to purchasing their franchise. If they choose to do so, their orientation requirement is considered completed by us; however, our members are welcome to attend the training again at any time. 

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Do you provide leads to your franchisees and if so what does Realty World charge for each lead?

Yes we do; however, none are guaranteed at any time during the length of the franchise contract. We DO NOT charge referral fees for leads... This is a HUGE benefit!

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Do you provide recruiting material?

Yes, we have all types of recruiting resources available for our franchisees that they can implement themselves at no charge. They are located in our member services website to download, and are updated all the time. 

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Are there any advertising benefits that I would receive?

There are a variety of opportunities available, which will be explained in detail at orientation. To mention a few:

  • Radio, cable television, and Internet-based advertising campaigns paid for by the Regional Advertising Fund.
  • Local cooperative advertising campaigns that are structured between the members in their local communities through an organization we call a local “Realty World Trade Group”.
  • Professionally designed materials that you can use for personal advertising campaigns.

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What types of training does Realty World offer its franchisees and what are the costs?

We have many different types of training programs available. Please visit our Training section for more information.

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Can I own my own mortgage company and does Realty World charge me any fees that are connected with my mortgage operation?

Yes, you can. Actually, many of our members are also licensed mortgage brokers. Unlike most franchises, we don't charge royalties (service fees) on commissions and fees you earn on your mortgage originations.

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If my agents or I need good functional websites, does Realty World have resources and/or vendors that can help me?

Yes, each franchise is given an office web site at no charge. In addition, each agent is given a personal website at no charge.

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If I decide to open branch offices, are there any charges?

Yes. In every franchise system, a franchise must be purchased for each location.

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Does Realty World offer award programs?

Yes, we have regional award programs for agents, brokers and offices. The awards are earned on a trimester basis (every four months), as well as annually. All awards are presented to the recipients at our regional events. The annual award categories are:

  • Salesmasters: - $5 Million in Volume or 20 Closed Transactions
  • Premier Salesmasters: - $7.5 Million in Volume or 30 Closed Transactions
  • President's Circle: $9.1 Million in Volume or 36 Closed Transactions
  • Hall of Fame: $12.2 Million in Volume or 48 Closed Transactions

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Is there an annual convention that brokers and agents can attend?  If so, how much are the registration fees?

We have an annual convention usually held in May, where brokers and agents celebrate the achievements of their peers from the prior year, as well as two days of hands on training with new programs being released by the company. Registration fees range from $200 to $300 depending on when you register.  

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What would be the next step?

The next step would be to set up a confidential appointment with one of our professional franchise marketing directors to discuss all the details that are important to you. Our professional and tenured directors will answer all your questions and guide you through the process of purchasing a Realty World franchise and the subsequent opening or conversion of your office. 

If you would like further confidential information, Click Here to inquire with one of our franchise sales directors, or give us a call at 800-460-2288.

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