initial fees

ongoing fees

what is the best deal if any

40k initial investment (minimum), 10% of gross profits.....NOT worth it considering NAR states clients dont follow names

picking a company is like picking a cell phone plan, they all have different benefits, commission splits, etc. if your just starting off get a company that will provide you with the most practical training, and one that will help you generate business.

The value of a franchise is that it provides you instant credibility with the public and tools & systems for you, your agents and your customers.

The CENTURY 21 System offers owners the following:

* The value of the most preferred brand in real estate (according to a host of consumer surveys --- the latest shows a preference of more than a dozen points over the nearest competitor), reinforced with $70 million in national television each year.

* Extensive owner training. New owners start with International Management Academy, a week long session in New Jersey where they get an overview of how to set up their company and the tools & systems available. Every month, there are free sessions available on line on topics like technology training, use of various tools, etc. The single best training is ORBIT, a year long program consisting of 2 day sessions, conducted all over the U.S. Focused on building a world-class company. Best company training in the business. Utterly superb.

* Complete Internet strategy including posting of listings on CENTURY21.COM, GOOGLE, Trulia, RealEstateJournal.com, and commercial listings to LOOPNET.COM.

* Host of backend reporting tools, creating all kinds of monthly reports on agents, productivity, office health, etc. Also, the Broker Financial Tool which allows you to build a financial plan and benchmark your expenditures against other brokers of similar size and in equivalent markets.

* Complete agent training including CREATE 21 for new agents, PEP (Productivity Enhancement Process) for agents with a couple months experience, over 200 hours every quarter in free Virtual Solution Series courses, BLAST (a coaching program for more advanced agents), and NAR courses (CRS, ABR).

* Agents obtain free access to the following tools through the corporate intranet site: Egreeting (animated email messages), three monthly newsletters for clients, complete listing & buyer presentations, a tool to build flyers and ads, an email account, a complete financial planning platform, a tool to send mailing online, build slide shows for every listing and add additional pictures, and the ability to build and host a personal web site, featuring a live feed to yours and your office's listings for just $60 a year.

* Agents recieve discounts on a host of services, including the placement of tv commercials on local cable stations, deals on virtual tours and web site hosting, computer discounts, travel discounts, and a free prescription discount card.

* Brand extensions including Fine Homes & Estates for high-end properties, Recreational Properties for second homes, and Commerical Investment Network properties. Each has unique signage, logos, and designation plus unique marketing materials including affordable access to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

* A complete award package for agents and brokers including recognition nationally for performace and quality service. Agents operating at the Masters Level can attend Top Agent Retreats each year (usually in Hawaii, Bermuda, the Bahamas, etc.) Brokers have opportunity to attend Leadership Conference each year (this year in Puerto Rico).

* A superb national convention each year. This year it was in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay. The keynote speaker was Colin Powell. The entertainer was Howie Mandel. Over 120 classes conducted. Very inspirational and a great source of motivation.

* Assistance in expanding your business through mergers and acquisitions.

* A complete pr platform designed to get you coverage in your local market (it works).

* A commitment to Easter Seals, the nation's leading charity for the disabled.

* Flexibility to devise your own commission program. I know some companies that operate on a traditional split commission program, others that are 100% geared and still others that use combinations.

Each franchisee pays an acquisition fee plus a franchise fee based on sales. Also, a national advertising fee to fund the television ads.

You get great systems, training and tools for your bucks. They help you grow your market share and recruit agents. The package helps you make money. That is the bottom line.

Franchises are not all they claim to be. As one C21 broker/owner once told me, "they need you more than you need them."

staggart, all those bullet items you said above are frankly crud...to be frank
Bottom line, clients follow agents, not names. At the VM Group,we provide our market centers with everything a C21 or a Remax does except we dont charge ridiculous sign on fees. Do you know why they do this? Ill tell you. because the rate of drop out of a market center is 3 years or less. A broker will realize paying that much of an initial investment plus gross profits is impossible to attain your own financial goals. Therefore, they charge a high start up fee knowing that they will recuperate any losses if you fail early.

oh staggard, you mention the annual meeting every year as a benefit, but you failed to say how much it was...go ahead and tell everyone! its a "staggaring" number, excuse the pun.

vm,

have you hired any agents with the 100% split...

there is a company opened 3yrs ago in toronto....79 per month...350 per deal...100% commission.....obver 700 agents have joined

while clients follow agebts not brand....i think the agents , especially newbies follow the brand....

VM Group --

* What do mean by a "sign up" fee? And, what is that bit about success of a market center is 3 years or less? I'm really not sure what on earth you are referring to . . In the CENTURY 21 System, I know most of the brokerages that were in my region when I started 7 years ago are still in the system. The only ones I remember "leaving" were bought by other franchisees. Many of us have added multiple offices. The initial franchise fee is rather modest. I've opened two new offices the last two years. It is only $10,000 an office (not $40k). And, you get a chance for opening gift funds (which are really helpful) which can be several times the franchise signup cost.

* As to the cost for the annual International Convention, the signup right now is $550 for the Gaylord Palms in 2008. It was $100 less at convention. That is for 4 days. Our state association convention is not much less. I don't get your point . . For convention keynoters & entertainers like former President Bush, Goldie Hawn, Reba McIntyre, Ringo Starr, Walter Cronkite, Hootie & the Blowfish, Kevin James, Tony Robbins and Katie Coric, it is not a bad value. I've have a slew of agents who make sure they go each year.

we dont hire newbies, only experienced agents. our avg agent has 8 years experience. I have 46 under me now and they are all on a monthly/per transactions split, they love it and so do i

And, you get a chance for opening gift funds (which are really helpful) which can be several times the franchise signup cost.



what is an opening gift fund

CENTURY 21 has a program where you can recieve funds for startups if you have certain levels of production.

Can be very handy.

pls elaborate on the gift funds