Is the increase of the Counselor Realty Website Fee at the discretion of Counselor Realty?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ce location and your other Office locations for no additional charge.
- (b) You must pay us a monthly Website Fee in an amount equal to $75 for each Office location (including each Additional Office and Extension Office), plus $25 for
each licensed agent choosing to have an optional agent website provided by Counselor. For purposes of clarity, if you have 10 agents who choose to have the optional agent website, your Website Fee would be $325 ($75 plus $25 multiplied by 10). The amount of the Website Fee may be increased during the term of this Agreement by Counselor from time to time in its sole discretion. At the beginning of each month, we will send you an invoice for the amount of the Website Fee you owe us for the current month, and you must pay us the amount of such Continuing Agent Fee on or before the 20th day of such month. The monthly Website Fee will apply to any agents operating out of any Additional Office locations or Extension
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Counselor Realty's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the amount of the Website Fee may be increased during the term of the Franchise Agreement at Counselor Realty's sole discretion. The franchisee must pay a monthly Website Fee in the amount of $75 for each Office location, including each Additional Office and Extension Office, plus $25 for each licensed agent choosing to have an optional agent website provided by Counselor Realty. For example, if a franchisee has 10 agents who choose to have the optional agent website, their Website Fee would be $325 ($75 plus $25 multiplied by 10). At the beginning of each month, Counselor Realty will send an invoice for the amount of the Website Fee the franchisee owes for the current month, and the franchisee must pay the amount of such Continuing Agent Fee on or before the 20th day of such month. The monthly Website Fee will apply to any agents operating out of any Additional Office locations or Extension Office locations that have elected to have an optional agent website.
This means that Counselor Realty has the power to raise the Website Fees during the agreement term. This could impact a franchisee's operating costs and profitability. Franchisees should factor in potential fee increases when assessing the financial viability of the franchise. It is common for franchisors to retain some discretion over fee adjustments to adapt to changing market conditions or to invest in system-wide improvements. However, franchisees should seek clarity on the factors that might trigger such increases and whether there are any limitations or caps on the amount of the increases.
Prospective franchisees should inquire about the historical frequency and magnitude of Website Fee increases, as well as the justification for any past increases. Understanding the franchisor's approach to fee adjustments can help franchisees better anticipate and manage their expenses. It would be prudent to discuss with existing franchisees their experience with Website Fee increases and how these changes have affected their businesses.