What are 'Approved Items' according to Christies International Real Estate?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ndatory standards.
Equipment, Products and Signs
In operating your Business, you may only use approved or designated materials, supplies, equipment, furniture, tools, internal and external signage for the Main and Additional Offices, all "for sale" signs, inventory, supplies, forms, printed and electronic advertising materials, computer hardware and software that we have approved as meeting our specifications and standards for appearance, function, and performance ("Approved Items"). You may be required to purchase Approved Items from those suppliers we approve or designate. We may establish a list of suppliers and vendors pre-approved by us for certain inventory and supplies that you may use. You are under no obligation to use these pre-approved suppliers or vendors in the regular course of your business. However, in the event that we require certain fixtures, equipment, inventory, and/or supplies that you are unable to reasonably locate elsewhere, you must use the suppliers and vendors pre-approved by us. We or one of our affiliates may be a designated or an approved supplier of one or more Approved Items, but as of the issuance date of this Franchise Disclosure Document, neither we nor our affiliates are the sole supplier for Approved Items (except for the proprietary software and marketing materials described below). We reserve the right to name ourselves, our affiliates, or a third party as the sole, or one of, the approved suppliers for one or more Approved Items.
Computer Hardware and Software
We require that you obtain and use certain computer hardware and software to operate your Business in accordance with our then-current information technology requirements as specified in the Operations Manual from time to time. You are responsible for purchasing the required computers, as well as any costs related to any accessories, repairs, replacement or upgrades to the computer(s).
You must use any proprietary bundle of software and services in the operation of your Business that we designate. As of the issuance date of this Franchise Disclosure Document, we are the only approved supplier for the proprietary software.
In addition, in the future we may require that you use the communications technology program, Konverse, and pay their then-current fees.
Since technology, particularly in the real estate brokerage business is changing, we reserve the right to require businesses operating under the System and Marks, including your Business, to change technology systems, or implement new or changed technologies, and you would be required to pay the initial, conversion, and ongoing fees and costs associated with those changes, which payments may be to us or to third parties.
Insurance
Before beginning operations under the License Agreement, you must obtain, and maintain in full force and effect during the term of the License Agreement, those insurance policies we require, including but not limited to the following, insuring you and us against any liability that may accrue by reason of your operation of the Business:
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 20–24)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Christies International Real Estate's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, "Approved Items" are materials, supplies, equipment, furniture, tools, internal and external signage for the Main and Additional Offices, all "for sale" signs, inventory, supplies, forms, printed and electronic advertising materials, computer hardware and software that Christies International Real Estate has approved as meeting their specifications and standards for appearance, function, and performance. Franchisees are required to use only these approved or designated items in operating their business.
Christies International Real Estate may require franchisees to purchase these "Approved Items" from specific suppliers that they approve or designate. While a list of pre-approved suppliers and vendors may be available for certain inventory and supplies, franchisees are not obligated to use them unless Christies International Real Estate requires specific fixtures, equipment, inventory, or supplies that the franchisee cannot reasonably find elsewhere. Christies International Real Estate retains the right to name themselves, their affiliates, or a third party as the sole or one of the approved suppliers for one or more Approved Items. As of the FDD issuance date, neither Christies International Real Estate nor its affiliates are the sole supplier for Approved Items, except for proprietary software and marketing materials.
If a franchisee wishes to use a material, supply, equipment, product, or sign that has not been approved, or purchase items from a non-approved supplier, they must notify Christies International Real Estate in writing and submit sufficient information, specifications, and samples for evaluation. Christies International Real Estate will then determine whether the item or supplier meets their standards and criteria, reserving the right to approve or disapprove without providing an explanation. The approval process takes up to 90 days, and franchisees cannot use the proposed item or supplier until written approval is received. Christies International Real Estate may revoke approval of any supplier or item with 30 days' prior written notice, after which the franchisee must cease purchasing from the disapproved source.