What is the dependency for a Counselor Realty franchisee to receive leads from the Counselor Realty website?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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. We may take into account office locations, number of agents, types of leads or any other rational means to distribute leads.
You have the option to develop your own website as part of your overall promotion strategy. Your website must conform at all times to Counselor's brand standard and image. If Counselor determines, in its sole discretion, that your website does not conform to Counselor's brand standard or image, you will alter or remove such website, as directed in writing by
Counselor. Your use of the our trademarks on your website must conform at all times to the requirements set forth in the Franchise Agreement. Counselor does not currently require your website to be approved by Counselor prior to you using it, but reserves the right to review and approve your website (and to require you to alter or cease using all or any portion of such website it does not approve).
You are not required to buy or use any particular electronic computer system. Counselor is not obligated to assist you in obtaining your personal computer, related hardware or telephone service. You may be required to modify your hardware periodically if Counselor makes changes to the System.
Counselor may provide you with or require you to utilize such technology related tools (including, but not limited to, mobile applications and other internet or software-based applications) and services relating to the franchised business as Counselor determines from time to time in its sole discretion. Counselor will not be obligated to provide you with any such technology related tools or services, and reserves the right to discontinue providing any such technology related tools and services that Counselor may decide to provide at any time. Counselor also reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions regarding any such technology related tools and services that Counselor may decide to provide at any time.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 17–21)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Counselor Realty Franchise Disclosure Document, leads generated from the Counselor Realty website for listings within the franchisee's region are directed to the franchisee's office. However, this is conditional. If a lead pertains to a listing held by an agent—either from a Counselor Realty franchise or a Counselor Realty-owned office—and that agent has a Counselor Realty webpage or subdomain, the lead is directed to that specific agent. In regions with multiple franchisees, Counselor Realty has the discretion to share or split leads among them, considering factors such as office locations, agent numbers, and lead types.
To facilitate online presence and lead generation, Counselor Realty will create a webpage or subdomain for the franchisee's office, extension offices, and, upon request, additional offices on the Counselor Realty website. They will also create webpages or subdomains for licensed agents operating through the franchisee's offices, including any additional or extension offices, provided the franchisee requests this in writing. These webpages include an IDX home search option for each market the agent serves, with listing reciprocity among Counselor Realty and its franchisees. Note that local MLS fees are the agent's responsibility.
Franchisees are required to pay a Website Set Up Fee and a Website Fee for these webpages and subdomains, as detailed in Item 6 of the FDD. Franchisees also have the option to develop their own website, but it must adhere to Counselor Realty's brand standards. Counselor Realty reserves the right to review and require changes to the franchisee's website to ensure compliance with these standards. This ensures a consistent brand image across all online platforms associated with Counselor Realty.