RE/MAX
A real-estate brokerage under a global balloon brand β an agent-centric high-commission model and a worldwide referral network.
RE/MAX is an international network of real-estate brokerages connecting independently owned and operated offices staffed by licensed agents. It's set apart by an agent-centric, high-commission model: the agent keeps the majority of the commission and pays the office for space and shared overhead β a structure that attracts experienced, high-producing agents. The brand is instantly recognizable by its red-white-and-blue hot-air balloon, and behind it sits a worldwide agent-to-agent referral network.
The model has three layers: a regional owner develops the brand across a country, an office owner (the attainable franchise) opens and runs a single branded office and recruits agents into it, and the agents themselves are self-employed and pay the office for support. HQ provides the brand, systems, training, technology, and the referral network. What stays on you is running the office full-time and, above all, recruiting and retaining productive agents.
The main revenue for the office is agents' desk fees and monthly payments for space and support plus a share of commissions; the agents keep the bulk of transaction commissions. The office pays the franchisor an entry fee and ongoing fees. The main costs are the premises, support-team wages, and fees. The result rests on the number and productivity of agents in the office and on the property-market cycle.
An agent-centric high-commission model
The agent keeps the majority of the commission and pays the office for support β a magnet for top, high-producing agents. That economics is the core of the brand and the main difference from an ordinary brokerage.
The balloon and a global brand
The instantly recognizable balloon brand and global fame attract both clients and agents. A standalone office can hardly reach such pull.
A worldwide referral network
An agent-to-agent referral network across the world and shared technology, training, and marketing bring deals across borders. A standalone office doesn't have that.
A proven playbook and education
A ready operating playbook, onboarding education, and ongoing support mean you don't build systems, lead-gen, and the brand from scratch. You get a tested framework.
The balloon logo and property listings glow in the window. The office owner interviews an agent they're courting to move over with her client book. At their desks, agents are on the phone, arranging viewings and closing deals, each on their own account. On screen a referral pops up from the international network β a relocating buyer from another country. The day turns on recruitment, agent support, and closing transactions.
What operators value
A magnet for top agents. The high-commission model attracts productive agents who come with their client books, so the office grows faster.
Scalable office economics. Desk fees and commission shares scale as you add productive agents, with a low cost per deal to the owner.
Ready systems and international leads. Ready systems, training, and the international referral network reduce launch risk and bring cross-border deals.
What to watch out for
A cyclical property market. Income tracks transaction volumes, which are highly cyclical and rate-sensitive, so a market downturn hits revenue.
Requires a license and full-time work. The operation needs a real-estate license, the owner's full-time on-site involvement, and a physical office with real overhead, so it isn't a passive or virtual business.
No exclusive territory. You have no protected territory and compete with other RE/MAX offices and rival brands, so success rests on continuously recruiting and retaining agents.
This fits a licensed real-estate professional or an experienced sales-and-recruiting manager who wants to own a brokerage and devote themselves to it full-time on-site. Recruiting and retaining productive agents matters more than personally closing deals.
π€ Ideal operator
The ideal operator is a licensed agent or a strong sales-and-recruiting manager who can attract and retain productive agents and run the office full-time. Recruiting, not personal selling, is key.
π Ideal location
It fits a visible ground-floor office or office suite in a city with healthy property turnover β near buyers, sellers, and agents, with parking and signage. The address is brand-approved and usually non-exclusive.
RE/MAX is a franchise of real-estate brokerages under a global balloon brand with an agent-centric high-commission model and a worldwide referral network. It pays off most for a licensed agent or recruiting manager who can attract productive agents. Its biggest asset is a magnet for top agents and a global brand; its biggest risk is a cyclical market, the need for a license and full-time work, and the lack of an exclusive territory.
- Who it's for
- A licensed agent or recruiting manager full-time; recruiting over personal selling.
- Where
- A visible office in a city with healthy property turnover.
- Strongest point
- An agent-centric model that attracts top agents and a global balloon brand.
- Biggest risk
- A cyclical market, the need for a license and full-time work, and no exclusive territory.
- How to start
- Via the official franchising portal β consultation and business plan β site selection and office launch.
