To whom is the DMS fee paid by a Christies International Real Estate franchisee?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
INVESTMENT
| Type of Expenditure (Note 1) | Estimated Amount | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment is to be Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Fee | $35,000 | Lump sum | When you sign the License | Us |
| (Note 2) | Agreement | |||
| Initial Training Expenses (Note 3) | $1,000 to $10,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Third-party vendors |
| Leasehold Improvements | $0 to $150,000 | As agreed upon | As agreed upon | Third-party vendors |
| (Note 4) | ||||
| Rent and Security Deposit | $3,000 to $10,000 | As agreed upon | As agreed upon | Landlord |
| (Note 5) | ||||
| "For Sale" Signage | $1,000 to $25,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Third-party vendors |
| (Note 6) | ||||
| Office Signage | $250 to $5,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Third-party vendors |
| (Note 7) | ||||
| Equipment and Furniture (Note 8) | $7,500 to $50,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Third-party vendors |
| Computers and Software (Note 9) | $2,500 to $10,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Third-party vendors |
| Start-up Supplies and | $5,000 to $10,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Third-party vendors and Us |
| Inventory | ||||
| (Note 10) | ||||
| Insurance (Note 11) | $1,500 to $25,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Third-party vendors |
| Professional Fees | $1,500 to $5,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Accountants, |
| (Note 12) | Attorneys | |||
| Type of Expenditure (Note 1) | Estimated Amount | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment is to be Made |
| --------------------------------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Utilities | $350 to $2,500 | As incurred | As incurred | Third-party vendors |
| (Note 13) | ||||
| Licensing Costs | $500 to $2,500 | As incurred | As incurred | State agencies |
| (Note 14) | ||||
| Data Feed Transmission | $250 to $3,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Third-party vendors |
| (Note 15) | ||||
| Additional Funds – 3 Months (Note 16) | $5,000 to $90,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Third-party vendors |
| MLS Fee (Note 17) | $0 to $10,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Us |
| DMS Fee (Note 18) | $125 | As incurred | Annually | Us |
| TOTAL (Note 19) | $64,475 to $443 |
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 17–20)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Christies International Real Estate's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the DMS (Document Management System) fee is paid to the franchisor, referred to as "Us" in the document. This fee amounts to $125 per agent annually and is paid as incurred. It grants access to MLS forms and DocuSign through the proprietary software application or platform.
This means that as a Christies International Real Estate franchisee, you will need to budget $125 per agent per year for the DMS fee. This fee is mandatory if you choose to use Christies International Real Estate's proprietary software, as it covers essential tools like MLS forms and DocuSign. The payment is made directly to Christies International Real Estate, simplifying the process for franchisees.
Franchisees should consider this ongoing cost when evaluating the overall financial investment and potential profitability of a Christies International Real Estate franchise. Understanding the value and utility of the proprietary software and its features is crucial in determining whether the DMS fee aligns with the franchisee's business needs and operational strategy. It's also important to note that this is a recurring annual expense, impacting the franchisee's long-term financial planning.