How often 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 annually. This fee is $125 per agent and is required if a franchisee uses Christies International Real Estate's proprietary software. The fee covers access to MLS forms and DocuSign through the software platform.
This annual fee is an important consideration for prospective franchisees as it impacts their operating costs. The amount due will fluctuate depending on the number of agents affiliated with the franchise. For example, a Christies International Real Estate franchise with 10 agents would pay $1,250 annually for the DMS fee, while a franchise with 50 agents would pay $6,250 annually.
Franchisees should factor this recurring cost into their financial projections and business plans. It is also important to understand the specific features and benefits included with the DMS software to assess its value for their business. Prospective franchisees should also inquire about any potential increases in the DMS fee in future years, as these fees are subject to change.