What computer hardware is Christies International Real Estate required to have?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We require you to have an internet connection, email, a laptop or desktop computer, a printer, a scanner, along with basic editing and spreadsheet software. You may be required to use our webbased proprietary software to operate your real estate brokerage business, and you must pay us for the use of the proprietary software.
You must ensure that any technology you use in connection with the Business, includes and maintains appropriate data security controls, and complies with our data security policies, which may be designated in our Operations Manual or otherwise by us from time to time, which include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) authentication mechanisms designed so that they cannot be bypassed to gain unauthorized access to systems, (ii) encryption; and (iii) undertaking password protection measures, such as protecting the form in which they are stored and complexity of character classes and password length.
Depending on what computer systems and software you already have, and the number and type of equipment you will need, these items can be purchased for approximately $2,500 to $10,000.
The estimated annual cost of optional or required maintenance, updating, upgrading, or support contracts to your computer systems is approximately $1,000.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 26–33)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christies International Real Estate FDD, franchisees are required to have an internet connection, email, a laptop or desktop computer, a printer, and a scanner. Additionally, franchisees must have basic editing and spreadsheet software. Christies International Real Estate may also require franchisees to use their web-based proprietary software to operate their real estate brokerage business, for which the franchisee must pay.
The FDD specifies that franchisees must ensure any technology used in connection with the business includes and maintains appropriate data security controls, complying with data security policies outlined in the Operations Manual. These controls include authentication mechanisms, encryption, and password protection measures.
The cost for the computer systems and software can range from approximately $2,500 to $10,000, depending on existing equipment and the type of equipment needed. Furthermore, the estimated annual cost of optional or required maintenance, updates, upgrades, or support contracts for these computer systems is approximately $1,000. Christies International Real Estate also reserves the right to require changes to technology systems or the implementation of new technologies, with the franchisee bearing the associated costs.