Is a Website Fee associated with Counselor Realty webpages and subdomains?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 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. 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.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Counselor Realty's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a Website Fee is associated with the webpages and subdomains that Counselor Realty creates for a franchisee's office, additional offices, extension offices, and licensed agents operating through those offices. The amount and timing of this fee are determined by Counselor Realty at its sole discretion. Franchisees must also pay a Website Set Up Fee for any webpages or subdomains.
The initial Website Set Up Fee is equal to the costs incurred by Counselor Realty in setting up a webpage for the franchisee's office on Counselor Realty, Inc.'s website. A monthly Website Fee of $75 is charged for each office location, including additional and extension offices. Additionally, there is a $25 monthly fee for each licensed agent who chooses to have an optional agent website provided by Counselor Realty. For example, if a franchisee has 10 agents with optional websites, the Website Fee would be $325 per month ($75 plus $25 multiplied by 10).
The Website Fee can be increased during the term of the Franchise Agreement at Counselor Realty's discretion. Invoices for the Website Fee are sent out at the beginning of each month, and payment is due by the 20th of the same month. This fee applies to agents operating out of any additional or extension office locations who have elected to have an optional agent website.
It is important for prospective franchisees to understand these ongoing costs and how they may change over time. The franchisor's ability to unilaterally increase the Website Fee could impact the franchisee's profitability and should be carefully considered. Franchisees should also inquire about what services and support are included as part of the Website Fee to assess its value.