Loading FDD preview...
Download this + 1,700 other FDDs · One-time purchase
1,700+ FDDs structured for franchise professionals
We extract fees, Item 19 financials, franchisee contacts, SBA default rates, litigation, and outlet data from every FDD — so you can compare brands in minutes, not months. Used by multi-unit operators, consultants, and franchise development teams.
1ST CLASS REAL ESTATE (UNIT)
1st Class Real Estate offers unit franchises for full-service real estate brokerage businesses, available as Standard Model with a physical office or Virtual Model online, and optionally under a 'Powered By' arrangement with an approved separate trademark alongside their brands. Franchisees assist buyers and sellers in real estate purchases and sales. The target market primarily includes homeowners, prospective homeowners, and landlords, with year-round services peaking in summer.
Loading preview...
Download this + 1,700 other FDDs · One-time purchase
Franchise Costs
No royalty or brand fund. Key ongoing fees: $150/mo office fee + $150 per closed transaction + $50/mo per person Technology Plus fee + optional accounting ($500-$4,500/mo) and payroll/HR ($500-$1,900/mo).
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 63 franchised outlets operated the entire calendar year 2025
* Average Gross Revenue and Median Gross Revenue are derived from the 'Average (Median) Total Gross Commissions' for 'Cumulative (All Outlets)', as 'Total Gross Commissions' is defined as the commission dollars generated by the franchised business before any deductions, which represents the franchisee's revenue. 'Total Sales Volume' represents the total dollar value of real estate transactions, not the franchisee's direct revenue. Revenue Top Quartile uses the Average Total Gross Commissions for the 'Top Third of Franchisees'. Revenue Bottom Quartile uses the Average Total Gross Commissions for the 'Bottom Third of Franchisees'. The cumulative average for 'Total Gross Commissions' ($588,255) was verified against the weighted average of the individual 'Top Third', 'Middle Third', and 'Bottom Third' segments:
Extracted Item 19 Section
Avg. Revenue: $588,255
Unlock financial performance data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock financial performance data1ST CLASS REAL ESTATE (UNIT) Franchise Analysis
Picture diving into real estate franchising without the mega-buck barrier of traditional brokerages—1st Class Real Estate pitches unit franchises that can run virtually or from a modest office, even co-branded under your existing mark. Their FDD's Item 19 lays bare revenue stats painting a tale of high flyers and modest performers, while recent system shifts raise eyebrows. Is this low-entry gateway to property deals a smart pivot in a booming market, or a signal of deeper turbulence?
Item 7 pegs total startup at $31,050-$43,450, kicked off by a $25,000 franchise fee—far leaner than many real estate peers demanding six figures. Ongoing costs skip royalties and ad funds entirely, leaning on $150 monthly office fees, $150 per closed deal, $50 per person for tech, plus optional accounting ($500-$4,500/mo) and payroll/HR ($500-$1,900/mo). Item 19's disclosures are telling: average gross revenue hits $588,255, but median lags at $168,339, suggesting a handful of top units skew the average while most hover lower—ideal for hustlers who can grind transactions year-round, peaking in summer with homeowners and landlords.
System metrics flash caution: locations plunged 33% from 104 in 2024 to 70 in 2025, with 19 terminations and 20 non-renewals against just 1 transfer and 22 projected new units. Franchising since 2018 from Sarasota, FL, this setup suits entrepreneurial agents craving flexibility without heavy overhead, but the contraction and churn scream vet the reasons—market saturation, support gaps, or execution hurdles? For buyers eyeing real estate services, crunch if your sales savvy can beat that median and weather the volatility.
Analysis based on the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How 1ST CLASS REAL ESTATE (UNIT) Compares
Key Insights
- One of the lowest investment costs in Real Estate Services (ranked #2 of 24)
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1ST CLASS REAL ESTATE (UNIT) Current | $31K – $43K | $25K | N/A | 70 |
| CENTURY 21 REAL ESTATE | $33K – $279K | $25K | 6.0% | 1,807 |
| HOMEVESTORS | $150K – $477K | $85K | 2.0% | 862 |
| KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY - REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE | $131K – $424K | N/A | N/A | 794 |
| REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT | $105K – $253K | $70K | 7.0% | 450 |
| PILLAR TO POST INC | $103K – $134K | $59K | 7.0% | 350 |
Real Estate Services Average 24 franchises | $156K – $304K | $47K | 7.1% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 24 Real Estate Services franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2025)
Outlets by state across the United States
+7 more states
Unlock location growth data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock location growth dataFranchisee Contacts
78 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
78 Contacts Available
Unlock all 1ST CLASS REAL ESTATE (UNIT) franchisee contacts with verified contact information
Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Unlock due diligence reports with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a 1ST CLASS REAL ESTATE (UNIT) franchise ranges from $31,050 to $43,450. This includes a franchise fee of $25,000.
More Services Franchises
THE UPS STORE (TRADITIONAL)
Services
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
Services
JACKSON HEWITT TAX SERVICE
Services
SERVPRO (UNIT)
Services
H&R BLOCK
Services
SERVICEMASTER RESTORE
Services