Are the amounts and times for the Website Fee charged by Counselor Realty described in Item 6?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
e).
We will create a separate webpage or subdomain for your Office and any Extension Office on Counselor Realty, Inc.'s website. If we have consented to any Additional Office locations, you may request to have us set up a separate webpage or subdomain for any such Additional Office on Counselor Realty, Inc.'s website. We will create a separate webpage or subdomain on Counselor Realty's website for those licensed agents you request in writing. All webpages and subdomains we create for the licensed agents operating through your Office (including any Additional Officer or Extension Office ) will include an IDX home search option for each market that the agent directly serves with listing reciprocity among Counselor Realty and our franchisees (local MLS fees are the agent's responsibility). You will be required to pay us a Website Set Up Fee for any such webpages or subdomains, as more particularly described in Item 6. You will also be required to pay us a Website Fee associated with the webpages and subdomains we create for your Office, any Additional Offices or Extension Offices, and for the licensed agents operating through your offices, in such amounts, and at such times, as more particularly described in Item 6.
Leads created off Counselor Realty's website for listings in the region where your franchised office is located will be provided and directed to your Office; provided, however, that if the lead is for a listing that is listed by one of our franchisee's agents or one of Counselor Realty's agents, such lead will be directed to such agent if that agent has elected to create a Counselor Realty web page/subdomain. If there is more than one franchisee in the region (distinct areas served by the same MLS system, or its equivalent), those leads will be shared and/or split between the affected franchisees, as determined by Counselor in its sole discretion.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 17–21)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Counselor Realty's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Item 11 states that franchisees are required to pay a Website Set Up Fee and a Website Fee. The fees are associated with webpages and subdomains that Counselor Realty creates for the franchisee's office, any additional offices or extension offices, and for the licensed agents operating through those offices. The specific amounts and payment schedules for these fees are detailed in Item 6 of the FDD.
Item 11 also mentions that franchisees may be obligated to pay fees, including a Mobile App Fee, for technology-related tools and services that Counselor Realty may provide. The amounts and payment schedules for these fees are determined by Counselor Realty at its sole discretion. Similarly, franchisees may be required to pay fees for non-technology related tools and services that Counselor Realty decides to offer, with the amounts and payment times also determined at Counselor Realty's discretion.
Prospective franchisees should carefully review Item 6 of the 2025 FDD to understand the exact costs and payment terms associated with the Website Set Up Fee and Website Fee. Additionally, franchisees should inquire about any potential fees for technology-related or non-technology related tools and services, as these are subject to change at Counselor Realty's discretion. Understanding these costs is crucial for assessing the overall financial investment required to operate a Counselor Realty franchise.