How Much Does a RE/MAX Franchise Owner Make?
RE/MAX franchise owners (market center office owners) earn approximately $80,000–$300,000+ annually depending on agent count, market, and desk fee structure. RE/MAX franchisees own real estate brokerages — not individual agent positions. Income comes from desk fees charged to agents, technology and training fees, and RE/MAX franchise royalties flowing to the office. RE/MAX is publicly traded (NYSE: RMAX) and reported 147,547 total global agents in Q3 2025, with US/Canada agent count declining 5.1% to 74,198 agents — a meaningful headwind for office owners who earn from agent desk fees.
Key Takeaways
- Income depends on AUV and market — see full analysis below
- Always validate income estimates with current FDD Item 19 data and franchisee contacts
→ Get Your Free RE/MAX Financial Model →
RE/MAX Quick Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Business Model | Office/market center — earn from agent desk fees |
| Franchise Fee | $20K–$35K (varies by market) |
| Royalty | Per-agent monthly fees to RE/MAX corporate |
| Initial Investment | ~$45K–$250K (office setup) |
| US/Canada Agents (Q3 2025) | 74,198 (declining 5.1% YoY) |
| Global Agents | 147,547 (growing internationally) |
| Est. Office Owner Income (range) | $80K–$300K+ depending on agent count |
| Item 19 Disclosure | Limited — RE/MAX does not disclose typical office earnings |
| NYSE Ticker | RMAX |
| Housing Market Sensitivity | High — directly tied to home sale transaction volume |
How Much Does a RE/MAX Franchise Owner Make?
RE/MAX office income comes from desk fees (flat monthly fees from agents, typically $1,000–$2,500/agent/month depending on market) and transaction fees. A 10-agent office at $1,500/month average desk fees generates $180,000/year in gross desk fee revenue before corporate royalties, rent, and support staff. The franchise owner keeps what remains after those costs:
| Office Size (agents) | Avg Monthly Desk Fee | Annual Gross Desk Revenue | Est. Owner Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 agents | $1,500 | $90,000 | $20K–$45K |
| 10 agents | $1,500 | $180,000 | $54K–$108K |
| 20 agents | $1,500 | $360,000 | $108K–$180K |
| 40 agents | $1,500 | $720,000 | $216K–$360K |
Methodology: RE/MAX does not disclose typical office earnings in Item 19. Desk fee model estimated at $1,000–$2,500/agent/month per industry reports. Net margin after RE/MAX corporate royalties (~$300–$500/agent/month), office lease, and support staff estimated at 30–50% of gross desk fee revenue. US/Canada agent count declining 5.1% in Q3 2025 is the key macro headwind — fewer RE/MAX agents = lower desk fee income for office owners. Always consult the current FDD.
The Agent Count Decline Risk
RE/MAX US/Canada agent count fell 5.1% in Q3 2025 (74,198 agents) — an ongoing multi-year trend. Agent count drives desk fee income directly. The decline reflects competition from eXp Realty (cloud-based brokerage with higher agent splits), Compass (tech-first brokerage), and independent teams breaking away from traditional brokerages. RE/MAX’s international business (growing) partially offsets domestic weakness, but US office owners feel domestic trends most directly.
| Brand | Model | Key Revenue Driver | 2025 Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| RE/MAX | Office desk fees | Agent count | US/Canada -5.1% |
| Keller Williams | Profit share model | Agent GCI + market center profit | Stable |
| Century 21 | Traditional split | Agent transaction volume | Stable domestic |
For full FDD data, visit FranchisePayback.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About RE/MAX Franchise Owner Income
What is a RE/MAX franchise owner’s average income?
RE/MAX does not disclose typical office earnings in Item 19. Office owner income depends on agent count and desk fee structure. A 20-agent office at $1,500/month desk fees generates ~$360K in gross revenue; a reasonable estimate of net owner income after costs is $108,000–$180,000 annually.
Is RE/MAX declining in the US?
US and Canada combined agent count declined 5.1% to 74,198 in Q3 2025. This multi-year trend reflects competition from cloud-based brokerages (eXp Realty) and tech-forward models (Compass). International agent count grew, partially offsetting domestic losses. Office owners in strong local markets may not feel this nationally.
What is the payback period for a RE/MAX franchise?
Payback depends heavily on agent recruitment. A well-staffed 15–20 agent office can achieve payback in 3–5 years. Under-recruited offices with 5–8 agents may take 7–10+ years.
Where can I find RE/MAX FDD data?
Full FDD data are available at FranchisePayback.com.
Bottom Line
RE/MAX is one of the most recognized real estate brands globally — but the US/Canada agent count decline is a real headwind for office owners. Income at RE/MAX scales with your ability to recruit and retain producing agents, not just your listing volume. For operators with strong agent recruitment skills and market relationships, RE/MAX offices can generate $150K–$300K+ annually. Compare Keller Williams’ profit-share model as an alternative — it creates different agent retention incentives that may better suit your market.
→ Download the SBA Franchise Business Plan Template →
→ Research FDD data at FranchisePayback.com →
— SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: July 2026