For Christies International Real Estate, is the Office Broker required to be a Principal Owner?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
es the portion of the commissions earned from each transaction that is paid to or shared with an authorized and approved affiliated referral source, as permitted under Section 5.17.
- 21.7. "Internet" means one or more related documents, designs, pages, or other communications or platforms that can be accessed through electronic means, including but not limited to the Internet, World Wide Web, social networking sites (including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, etc.), blogs, vlogs, and other applications, etc. For the avoidance of doubt, we reserve, maintain, and control all rights with respect to the metaverse.
- 21.8. "Marketing Director" means the person you employ that is responsible for collaborating with the CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE marketing team, implementing local marketing initiatives, and enforcing branding guidelines on a local level. The Marketing Director does not need to be a Principal Owner.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christies International Real Estate FDD, the Office Broker is not required to be a Principal Owner. However, the Responsible Broker, who oversees business operations and interacts with Christies International Real Estate, must be a Principal Owner approved by the company and hold all necessary real estate licenses.
Principal Owner is defined as any person or entity who directly or indirectly owns a 5% or greater interest in the franchise. If the Principal Owner is a corporation or entity other than a partnership, a shareholder or owner of a 5% or greater interest in that entity also qualifies as a Principal Owner. If the Principal Owner is a partnership, each general partner, and any owner of a 5% or greater interest in that general partner, is considered a Principal Owner.
Christies International Real Estate also employs a Marketing Director who collaborates with the Christies International Real Estate marketing team, implements local marketing initiatives, and enforces branding guidelines locally. The Marketing Director is explicitly stated as not needing to be a Principal Owner.